Show ContentsThiel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Thiel family

The surname Thiel was first found in Hessen, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Thiel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thiel research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1721 is included under the topic Early Thiel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Thiel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Thiel, Tiel, Thiele, Tiele, Teel, Teele, Theel, Theele, Thiell, Thielin, Thiellin, Theell, Tiell, Thielle, Tielle, Thielen and many more.

Early Notables of the Thiel family

Prominent figures of the time who bore the name Thiel were

  • Johann Carl von Thiel, who rose to the rank of lieutenant general of the Prussian army and was awarded the estate Osznagorren in 1721

Thiel Ranking

In the United States, the name Thiel is the 4,464th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Thiel is ranked the 3,257th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 2


United States Thiel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Thiel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Adolph Thiel, who arrived in New York, NY in 1710 3
  • Annanias Thiel, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 3
  • Vallentin Thiel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1738
  • Johann Christian Thiel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1764 3
  • Sebastian Thiel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1764 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Thiel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joh Philip Thiel, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 3
  • Christian Thiel, aged 25, who landed in Texas in 1844 aboard the ship "Ferdinand" 3
  • Wilhelm Thiel, who arrived in Texas with two children in 1846 aboard the ship "Henry"
  • Louise Thiel, who arrived in New York in 1850 3
  • Nicholas Thiel, aged 32, who arrived in New York in 1854 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Thiel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Thiel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Adam Thiel, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Asmus Thiel, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Barbara Thiel, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Catharina Thiel, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Conrad Thiel, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Thiel (post 1700) +

  • Patricia A. Thiel (1953-2020), American chemist and materials scientist who served as a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Iowa State University
  • Phillip Thiel (b. 1984), Phillip Thiel born 1984 is an American rugby union player
  • Maynard Bert Thiel (b. 1926), American retired professional baseball pitcher, manager and scout
  • Peter Andreas Thiel (b. 1967), American entrepreneur, hedge fund manager, libertarian and venture capitalist
  • William Thiel, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1948 4
  • Judith F. Thiel, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 52nd District, 1980 4
  • Harvey Thiel, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Huron County, 1930 4
  • Cyril L. F. Thiel, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Colombo, 1926; London, 1927-29; U.S. Consul in Jerusalem, 1932; Havana, 1938; Guayaquil, 1943; U.S. Consul General in Belfast, 1960-62 4
  • Clarence Thiel, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Erie County 8th District, 1923, 1924 4
  • A. E. Thiel, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Idaho, 1952 4
  • ... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Max Thiel (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
  • Heinz Thiel (1921-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
  • Erwin Thiel (1914-1941), German Mechanikersmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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