Surname Tonjes - Meaning and Origin
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Tonjes: What does the surname Tonjes mean?
The last name Tonjes is of German origin and is derived from the name Tönjes, which has its roots in the Old Norse term “tõn” meaning “town”. In some instances, it may also have been taken from the Dutch term “toon”, which refers to a sound or tone.
The surname Tonjes first appeared in Germany during the medieval era, suggesting that the original bearer was a man who moved to the area from another part of Europe. The name was used to refer to a person from the town of Tönjes, which is located in the modern-day county of Lower Saxony.
The name has spread across Germany, the Netherlands and the US since then, and it can be found in some variety. There are also some variants, such as Tönjes, Tönnies, Tunnies and Tonijs, all of which derive from the same base name.
The Tonjes family is now found mainly in lower Saxony, but can also be found the Netherlands, the US, and in areas of northern Germany where the original name bled over from the Dutch settlers. The name has been altered slightly and adapted in various cultures to give rise to different family branches of the same name.
Overall, the surname Tonjes is a proud one of German origin. Its history is a testament to the journey of its original bearer and many other families who took the same name and made it their own. As the family grows its roots and reaches out to different countries and cultures, it is sure to continue to carry its legacy into the future.
Order DNA origin analysisTonjes: Where does the name Tonjes come from?
The last name Tonjes is mainly found in the United States and Germany, as well as some other countries where Germanic languages are spoken. In the US, Tonjes is especially common in the Midwest, especially in Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Ohio. In Germany, the Tonjes surname is most commonly found in the state of Lower Saxony.
In Mississippi, the Tonjes surname is the 24th most common name, indicating a significant degree of popularity in the area. In Wisconsin and Ohio, the Tonjes surname is ranked for the top 1000 most common names, although it is not as high ranking as in Mississippi.
Most of the people with the last name Tonjes are of German origin, although other nationalities have been known to use this surname. One possible origin of the name is a given name Tonje, which was originally used as a pet form of Antonia.
Regardless of the origin, it is clear that the Tonjes surname is quite popular in the US and Germany. It is also popular in many other countries where Germanic languages are spoken. This is likely because it is quite easy to pronounce and spell, making it easy to remember and pass down from generation to generation.
Variations of the surname Tonjes
The surname Tonjes is of German origin and has several alternate spellings and variants. It is derived from the Old German given name 'Antonius,' which was Latinized as 'Antonius.' The most common variants of the surname Tonjes are Tonje, Tonjesen, Tonanza, Tonzell, Tonspigel, Tonchey, Tontosky, Toncheks, Tontz, Tonzig, Tonzill, and Tonjewski.
The German spelling of Tonjes is generally Tonjes or Tonje, though it is sometimes spelled Tonjeß, Tonneß, or Tönnjes. In Norway, the spelling is generally Tonje or Tonjesen. In Denmark, the spellings Tonchey, Toncheks, and Tonza are common. In the Netherlands, Tonjes is sometimes spelled Tontosky or Tontz while in Germany it may be spelled Tonzig or Tonzill. In Poland, the spelling Tonjewski is used.
The different spellings of the surname Tonjes all stem from the same given name, Antonius, and the only variations between them are the language and country of origin. The different spellings are merely a result of different dialects and languages in different regions.
Famous people with the name Tonjes
- Megan Tonjes: American singer-songwriter and actress
- Chris Tonjes: American voice actor and radio host
- Matt Tonjes: American producer and songwriter
- Rachel Tonjes: American actress and writer
- Stefan Tonjes: German footballer
- Kaimi Tonjes: American artist, animator and voice actor
- Jochen Tonjes: German politician and journalist
- David Tonjes: American vocalist and keyboardist
- Frank Tonjes: Dutch government official
- Tim Tonjes: American musician and director