Surname Tolksdörfer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Tolksdörfer: What does the surname Tolksdörfer mean?
The last name Tolksdörfer is a German surname originating in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the Middle High German word dörfer, meaning "village". In fact, the second part of the name, Tolks, is old-fashioned German for "talk". Combined, the name means "village talker".
Tolksdörfer is one of those rare surnames which says a lot about its history and its original bearers. It is indicative of a once-popular occupation, one which was probably taken up by a mostly rural population at the time of its founding. That of village talker. The role of the village talker was to debate politics, spread news, tell stories, and generally keep communication among villages alive.
In modern times, the name Tolksdörfer may connote a sense of community and communication, but the original bearers of the name likely had a much more practical role. It can also represent a sense of pride for the family, as the name was chosen as a reminder of their ancestor's hard work and dedication to keeping traditions alive.
Order DNA origin analysisTolksdörfer: Where does the name Tolksdörfer come from?
The last name Tolksdörfer is commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This state borders Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, and it is populated with communities of different backgrounds. Though the family name is not overly common, it can still be found scattered throughout the area.
The origins of the family name Tolksdörfer date back to the 10th century. It likely originated from the geographic area or a homestead of a person that shared the same surname, with the tolk being related to the Dutch word “toolk,” which means “man.”
At one point, the Tolksdörfer family owned a castle near the town of Düsseldorf, but this is no longer in existence today. The family was prominent in the area during the 11th and 12th centuries, and several Tolksdörfer’s served in the army of the Duke of Bavaria in the mid-1400s.
Though many people of this last name have moved away from the area in more recent times, the name is still associated mainly with North Rhine-Westphalia today. Many families still remain in the area, and the name is still commonly found in Germany’s phone directories.
Variations of the surname Tolksdörfer
The Tolksdörfer surname has its roots in Germany, with one of the first records of the surname being found in the Gütersloh region of the country in the 19th century. This family name can also be recorded under different variants, including: Tolksdorfer, Tolkdorfer, Toltsdorff, Tolksdorf, Tolksdörffer, Toltsdörfer, Toltsdorffer, Toltzdorff, Tolzdorff, and Tollsdorff.
The direct translation of Tolksdörfer from German into English is “people’s market.” It is likely that the family name has its roots in a place-name that has since been lost to history over time.
Tolksdörfer is a relatively rare surname, and is even more uncommon in the United States. As a result, it is not unusual to come across slight variations of the name upon researching genealogical records related to the family. While the surname is usually spelled as “Tolksdörfer” in Germany, it can also be seen spelled “Tolksdorfer” in some parts of the United States, for example in Illinois and Missouri.
The presence of slight variations in the spelling of the Tolksdörfer surname may be due to the fact that the immigration of German families to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries was not always easily documented and recorded. Some of the family members may have also adopted English translations of their surname upon their immigration, leading to spellings of the surname that deviate slightly from the original.
Regardless of the presence of slight spelling differences, the Tolksdörfer surname remains rooted in a common origin and is one of many variants o the same name.
Famous people with the name Tolksdörfer
- David Tolksdörfer: German journalist and creator of the public radio station Deutschlandradio Kultur.
- Carolina Tolksdörfer: German composer and opera singer.
- Barthel Tolksdörfer: German actor best known for his work on the television series “Sturm der Liebe” and “The Horizon”.
- Wolfgang Tolksdörfer: German businessman and former Chairman of the Executive Board of the Volkswagen Group.
- Michael Tolksdörfer: German physicist, mathematician, and inventor.
- Ulrike Tolksdörfer: German actor, theatre director, and professor of theatre.
- Ute Tolksdörfer: German actress and film director.
- Kai Tolksdörfer: German biologist and author of several books on biology.
- Yvonne Tolksdörfer: German diplomat and lecturer at the University of Düsseldorf.
- Fabian Tolksdörfer: German photographer and visual artist.