Show ContentsTien History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Tien

What does the name Tien mean?

The name Tien arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Tien family lived in Oxfordshire. The name is an indication that its original bearer once lived near the River Thames.

Early Origins of the Tien family

The surname Tien was first found in Oxfordshire where the name is likely derived from the River Thame. Aluered de Tame was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Claricia de Thame in 1279. 2 Today, Thame is a market town and civil parish. "This town, which is evidently of Roman origin, is mentioned as a place of some importance at the commencement of the 10th century, when Wulfhere, King of Mercia, granted a charter dated 'in the vill called Thames.' In the year 970, Osketyl, Archbishop of York, died at Thame. It suffered much from the Danish invasions, particularly in 1010, and a fortification was erected here. At the Conquest it belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln, and till the reign of Edward VI. formed part of the extensive possessions of succeeding prelates, who conferred many benefits on the town, among which was the diverting through it the road that previously passed on its side. " 3 The family originally held estates in Chinnor, about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Thame.

Early History of the Tien family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tien research. Another 249 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1492, 1493 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Tien History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tien Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Thame, Tharm, Tharme, Temes and others.

Early Notables of the Tien family

More information is included under the topic Early Tien Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Tien migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Tien or a variant listed above:

Tien Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Daniel Tien, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1751 4
  • Jean Henri Tien, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Tien (post 1700) +

  • Jeme Tien Yow (1861-1919), distinguished Chinese railroad engineer
  • Tien Hogue, Australian actress of stage and screen in the silent era


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. 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)


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