Surname Thiehle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Thiehle: What does the surname Thiehle mean?
The last name Thiehle is of German origin and is thought to have derived from the Middle High German word ‘tigel’ meaning ‘ditch’ or ‘channel’. The name likely referred to an ancestor of the family who lived near a ditch or ditch-like structure. The name has remained relatively unchanged in spelling for centuries.
The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to 1663, when a person named Elyaz Thiehle appears listed in a document referencing the city of Weimar in Germany. Since then, the name has become widespread in the Central European region. It is also quite common to find the name outside of Germany, in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, where it was carried by emigrants from the German-speaking regions.
Throughout Europe, Thiehle is a relatively uncommon name. Today, a person with the last name Thiehle is likely to be of German descent, and their family might have been living in Central Europe for numerous generations. The name is sometimes associated with characteristics such as determination and strength, and it could provide someone with a sense of pride to know that their family has been around for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisThiehle: Where does the name Thiehle come from?
The last name Thiehle is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a very common German surname, as a variation of the similarly-sounding Thiele. It is most concentrated in the northern German states of Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also found in various other parts of the country, including Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt. It is also present in Austria and Switzerland, though much less commonly.
Outside of German-speaking countries, the last name Thiehle is much less common. There are individuals in the United States, Canada, and Australia, but these are likely descended from German immigrants. In the past 120 years, the last name Thiehle has become much less common in the US, especially as many of those who bore the name anglicized it to Thiele.
In terms of its origin, the last name Thiehle seems to have traditionally been used as a toponymic surname, given to people who once lived in Thiele, Baden-Württemberg. It is also possible that it has origins in Westphalia, a region in Gaul near the Dutch border. In both cases, it could have been derived from the Germanic word “Theodel”, meaning “great” or “victor”.
Ultimately, the last name Thiehle is most closely associated with people of German descent, though in recent years it has been adopted by people from other countries. It may have originated as a toponymic surname, but over time it has taken on new meanings in new places.
Variations of the surname Thiehle
The surname Thiehle has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. One variant is Thiele, which is often spelled as Theil, Thiel, Tiel, Teil, Teile, Teilen, Thiele, Thiellen, Thiels, Thien, Thienes, Thilen, Tieles, Tiels, Tyel, and Tyelen. Another variant is Thilen or Tillen, which is sometimes spelled as Tille and Tillien.
Some other spellings related to the Thiehle surname include Thalen, Tieles, Theelen, and Thiellen. Variants of Thiehle include Thie, Thiel, and Tille.
The Thiele surname is derived from the Middle High German “theil,” which means “division” or “portion.” People who were assigned to tasks, such as distributing lands and property in the Middle Ages, may have taken on the surname Thiele. Later, people may have taken on the name when they encountered an ancestor who held this surname.
Today, Thiehle is found throughout Europe, especially in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States and many other countries.
Surname variants of the same origin include Teilen, Thialen, Thilaen, Thiels, Thien, Thienes, Thillin, Thuille, Tillen, and Tyelen. Variants of the surname Thiehle trace back to the ancient Germanic tribal name Thialingae, which means “people of the division or partition,” and the Old High German “teil.” It is believed that those who held this surname were charged with dividing up properties or resources in the Middle Ages.
Due to regional variations in pronunciation and spelling, the Thiehle surname also has many variants, including Thille, Thilo, Thillen, Thiele, Teelen, and Tyelen, among others.
Famous people with the name Thiehle
- Mike Thiehle: an American former National Basketball Association player who played for the Kansas City/Omaha Kings from 1975–1976.
- Gary Thiehle: American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox during the 1982–1983 seasons.
- Teri Thiehle: Australian former Paralympic swimmer who competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia.
- Reinhard Thiehle: German former Paralympic fencer who competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia.
- Eugene Thiehle: American artist and former art director for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
- Joachim Thiehle: German theologian, pastor, and professor at the University of Bonn in Germany.
- Marci Thiehle: American television and film writer best known for works such as Veronica Mars, Castle, and NCIS: Los Angeles.
- Jakob Thiehle: German aristocrat and former courtier to the House of Württemberg.
- Alice Thiehle: German aristocrat and former courtier to the House of Württemberg.
- Paula Thiehle: former press aide to the Swedish government.