Surname Thomae - Meaning and Origin
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Thomae: What does the surname Thomae mean?
The last name Thomae is an occupational surname that originated in Germany and Austria. It is derived from the German word "Thoman" meaning "carpenter." In other Germanic countries, the name can be spelled "Tomaes."
The term "carpenter," or "thoman" in German, references a skilled craftsperson who specializes in the construction of a variety of items, such as furniture, doors, windows, and other wooden objects. Historically, carpenters formed an integral part of the building trades. To build a structure, carpenters not only had to cut and shape wood, but also be knowledgeable in constructing walls, roofs, posts, and in making complicated joints.
Carpenters played an important role in constructing the homes, businesses, churches and other edifices of the past, thus, carrying the Thomae surname forward through generations. Thomae is likely to have evolved from regional peripatetic carpenters who settled in various towns and villages and then took the name of their trade as their surname.
The Thomae surname is believed to have first appeared in records during the 12th century, when families self-identified with a certain trade and other attributes, often adopting a hereditary surname. As such, the Thomae surname has been in use for centuries to denote people who were of the carpentry trade.
Today, the Thomae surname continues to be an important part of many German and Austrian family legacies, and those who carry it proudly honor the skill and talent of an ancestor who helped to shape the history of their people.
Order DNA origin analysisThomae: Where does the name Thomae come from?
The last name Thomae is most commonly found today in Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. In Germany, the Thomae surname can be found mainly in the east of the country, especially in states such as Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It's also quite common in the Netherlands, particularly in the northern provinces of Friesland and Groningen. In Austria, the Thomae name is concentrated in the mountain regions of Tyrol and Salzburg, but can also be found in some areas of Vienna and Lower Austria.
The last name Thomae originates from the Middle High German word thuoman, meaning 'servant'. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name were either vassals of a feudal lord, or possibly servants of a powerful figure. It is also possible that the name may have evolved from the German word thum, which means 'damp' or 'humid'.
The Thomae surname is found among individuals of many different cultural backgrounds, including Germanic, Slavic, and North African. It's interesting to note that, despite the name's Germanic origins, it can be found in many countries with distinct cultures. This indicates that the family may have had multiple points of origin, some of which non-Germanic.
Overall, the Thomae name is one of the more common surnames in Europe and continues to be carried by individuals of many different backgrounds. Despite its Germanic roots, the name has transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries, allowing its bearers to form strong connections both within and outside Europe.
Variations of the surname Thomae
The surname Thomae is of Germanic origin and is derived from the personal name Thomas. Originally found in western and central Europe, Thomae is a common surname found in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Switzerland.
Variations in the spelling of the surname Thomae include Thoma, Thoemae, Toemae, Thomson, and Tomase.
More rare Germanic variants of the surname Thomae include Thomann, Thoms, Thome, and Thom.
Variations in the spelling of the surname Thomae by region include:
Germany: Thome, Thom, Thoma, Thomann, Thoms
Austria: Thoemae, Toemae
Netherlands: Thoemae
Belgium: Thoemae
France: Thomas
Switzerland: Thomas
In England, the surname Thomae is an Anglicized form of the Germanic surname. It can also be found spelled Tomes, Thom, Thompson, Thomson, Thomas and Tomase.
In Scotland, the surname Thomae can be found spelled Thom, Thomson, Thomas and Tomase.
In the United States, variations of the surname Thomae include Tomm, Tomme, Tume, Thomma, Thomes, and Tome.
Famous people with the name Thomae
- Professor Dr. Dr. Ingo Thomae: German nuclear physicist and university professor;
- Orly Thorae: Mexican-Israeli actress;
- Julian Thomae: German entrepreneur and digital transformation specialist;
- Sir Humphrey Thomae: British Ambassador to Canada;
- Clara Thomae: German painter and sculptor;
- Alexander Thomae: German architect and urban planner;
- Thomas Thomae: Swiss musician and writer;
- Horst Thomae: German lawyer and political scientist;
- Gabriela Thomae: Peruvian actress;
- Hermann Thomae: German soccer player and manager;
- Peter Thomae: American sculptor and installation artist;
- Joan Thomae: American ceramic artist;
- Helmut Thomae: German actor and radio speaker;
- Laura Thomae: German opera mezzo-soprano.