Tonsmann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Tonsmann

What does the name Tonsmann mean?

The German surname Tonsmann originated as a short form of the Roman name Antonius (the English Anthony.) It is the name of two major Christian saints, St. Anthony (ca.250-350,) who was the father of Christian monasticism, and Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), the Franciscan monk, who became the patron saint of Padua and Portugal. In granting their children holy names, medieval parents sought to reaffirm their Christian beliefs and to secure protection from the namesake. The name Tönsing is a Low German diminutive of the name Antonius, and Tönnies is a short form, as in Tönnies Alberdes, recorded in Lippe in 1571. Other German variants include Don, Ton, Thon and Dohn. The surname Tonsmann, thus, comes about as a patronymic, a surname derived from the personal name of the father.

Early Origins of the Tonsmann family

The surname Tonsmann was first found in Westphalia and the Lower Rhineland, where the name Tonsmann emerged in medieval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The earliest mentions of the surname are Heinz Ton, who was recorded in Immenstaad in 1423, and Johann Tonsing, who was recorded in the area of Osnabröck in 1649.

Early History of the Tonsmann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tonsmann research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tonsmann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tonsmann Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tönnies, Tönies, Töns, Tönniges, Toenniges, Tuns, Tönsing, Tönsen, Tönnsen, Tönjes, Tönsmann, Tönsmeyer, Tönnissen, Thon, Thons, Thonissen and many more.

Early Notables of the Tonsmann family

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

Migration of the Tonsmann family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Rieneldt Tons, who took the Oath of Allegiance in Pennsylvania in 1793; Heinr Friedr Christoph and Ernst Tonnies, who settled in Texas in 1845; and Hein Tonnies and his wife Wilhme Ebler, who, in 1846.