Surname Thümmel - Meaning and Origin
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Thümmel: What does the surname Thümmel mean?
The last name Thümmel is a German origin name, derived from the Middle High German "dummel" meaning "small fly". It is thought to have originated from references to people who were known to be very fast and active, like a fly. It is also said to reflect a person’s agility and sprightliness.
The earliest known use of the name dates back to 1119, when a man named Dalalo Tumel, from the northern region of Germany, was documented. This name was most likely used as a nickname for a servant of the knights, or for a similar profession in a noble family.
Today, the name Thümmel is still fairly common in Germany. It is most common in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein. The variants "Thumel", "Thummel", and "Tumel" are also found in Germany. Outside of Germany, the name has spread throughout Europe, the United States, and even Canada.
The last name Thümmel is often associated with a person who is resourceful, levelheaded, and enjoys helping others. People with this last name aim to excel in any area they pursue, and their ambition often leads them to take on major endeavors and achieve success. They are also known to be reliable and hardworking, and take pride in every accomplishment they make. Above all, those with the last name Thümmel are known to be loyal and kind.
Order DNA origin analysisThümmel: Where does the name Thümmel come from?
The last name Thümmel is most common in Germany today, particularly in the northern states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. These are regions located along the North and Baltic Sea near the Dutch and Danish borders.
The surname originates from the Middle Low German language and is believed to be derived from thüm, which means “small hill,” and mæl, which means “mark” or “boundary.” Thus, Thümmel is a topographical name that likely refers to an individual who lived near a small hill or landmark.
The Thümmel surname is documented fairly far back in German history. It first appears as Thümel in the records of Bergedorf, a small former city near Hamburg, in 1283. Scattered records of the name can also be found in records from the late 15th century.
The modern spelling of Thümmel is associated with families who lived in East Prussia, which bordered Germany, Lithuania, and Poland, from 1871 to 1945. As a result, some people with the last name are known to have crossed into modern-day Poland or Lithuania.
Given its origin and prevalence in Germany, immigrants from the country are likely responsible for introducing the last name to other parts of the world like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Thümmel
Thümmel is a German surname that is derived from the Old High German personal name meaning “authority” or “leader”, Thumo. Over time, this name has changed in spelling to Thümmel, Thoummel, Thumm, Thum, Thiemel and Thimel. The Thümmel surname can also be found in several English language variants such as Thum, Thimel and Thiemel.
The Thümmel surname from Germany has far reaching branches, and is found in numerous other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has also been connected to other spelling variants, such as Thiemel, Thummel, and Thumme.
In addition, this surname has several variations while traceable to a common source—for example, the American spelling often has some additional letters: Thummel, Tuemel, Teemel, and Thiemel.
Although Thümmel is most closely affiliated with Germany, this surname is also prevalent in the United States, where it dates back to the 1850’s, shortly after Germany’s formation in 1871. By the early 1900’s, many German immigrants, bearing the Thümmel surname, made their way to the United States.
Although closely associated with Germany, the Thümmel surname is likely to be of English origin. Variations of it appear in records going back to the Middle Ages, as noted in the Records of the London Guilds. Here, Thomas Thumel is registered in the year 1272.
In summary, Thümmel is a German surname derived from the Old High German personal name Thumo, and has numerous spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Thoummel, Thumm, Thum, Thiemel, Thimel, Thummel, Tuemel, Teemel, and Thiemel. It is also connected to variants with English origin, such the Thomas Thumel in the London Guilds record from 1272.
Famous people with the name Thümmel
- Ingke Heine-Thümmel: Ingke is a team member of the TV-Show “Bares für Rares”, a popular German show in which people can sell antiques and other items.
- Hans Thümmel: Hans is a German direstor and screenwriter, based in Berlin, who is most famous for his movie "Absolute Giganten", a popular coming of age movie.
- Michael Thümmel: Michael is a Germany linguist, professor and researcher from Berlin, who focuses on phonology and language acquisition.
- Hasse Thümmel: Hasse is a renowned German scientist and former professor who is best known for his work in mathematics, particularly in the field of fractal geometry.
- Max Thümmel: Max is a prolific German athlete and athlete coach in the field of track and field. He became famous after coaching athletes to victory in the World Championships.
- Lili Thümmel: Lili is a famous German TV-Hostess and journalist, known for her successful talk show “Lili’s Talkshow”, as well as her feature reporting on a variety of topics.
- Jeannette Thümmel: Jeannette is a popular German artist, well known for her vibrant oil paintings, as well as her ceramic and mixed media works.
- Katharina Thümmel: Katharina is a German stage performer and dancer, best known for her appearances on the musical stage show “Let’s Play Music”.
- Ulrich Thümmel: Ulrich is the CEO and co-founder of the Wilden Hannover advertising agency, based in Germany.
- Martin Thümmel: Martin is a German journalist and media producer, most famous for his reporting on the German economy and for his book “Rise of the Germans”.