Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Ter

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Ter?

The last name "Ter" is of Greek origin. In Ancient Greece, it was a nickname for someone who was swift or fast, derived from the Greek word "teras" which means speedy or quick. Over time, this name evolved into various forms in different regions and languages, such as Terres (French), Terris (English), or Ters (German). The spelling may vary due to historical and regional factors.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ter

The meaning and origin of the last name Ter

The surname Ter is of Dutch and Scandinavian origin. It is derived from a geographical location, typically referring to a farm or settlement located near a hill or high ground. In Old Norse, "terr" means "hill", while in Dutch, "terp" signifies a mound built for flood protection. The name can also be found among the Frisian people of the Netherlands and Germany. Over time, variations such as Ters, Terre, and Terres have emerged due to spelling differences and linguistic influences in different regions. As with many surnames, Ter was originally a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near or worked on such landform.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ter

The surname "Ter" is predominantly distributed across Europe, particularly in countries that were once part of the Ottoman Empire. A significant number of individuals bearing this surname can be found in Turkey, where it is often spelled as "Tar" or "Teke." In addition to Turkey, other regions with a high concentration of people with the last name Ter include Greece and Bulgaria. The name also appears in smaller numbers in various parts of Europe, such as France, Italy, Spain, and Romania. It's important to note that the distribution can be influenced by factors like migration patterns, historical events, and cultural assimilation.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ter

The surname "Ter" has several variations and spellings across different languages and cultures. Here are some of them:

1. Tер (Cyrillic script, Russian)
2. Terre (French)
3. Terr (English, often seen as a short form or typo of Ter)
4. De Ter (Dutch, meaning "from the land" or "of the land")
5. Del Ter (Italian, same meaning as De Ter)
6. Terz (Hungarian, Croatian, Slovene)
7. Tör (Hungarian, often used as Törö or Tőr in some regions)
8. Тер (Turkish, pronounced as "Ter", but this may be a typo or misinterpretation, as Turkish surnames are usually of the patronymic form)
9. Terzi (Greek, meaning "son of the blacksmith")
10. De la Tierra (Spanish, meaning "of the earth")
11. Ter-Petrosyan (Armenian, a compound surname where "Ter" is a geographical name and "Petrosyan" is a patronymic)
12. Terzian (Armenian, Assyrian, Turkish, a patronymic derived from the name "Ter" or meaning "blacksmith")

These are some common variations and spellings of the surname "Ter". However, it's important to note that the specific spelling can vary depending on regional dialects, immigration patterns, and personal preference.

Famous people with the last name Ter

Terence Trent D'Arby, also known as Sananda Moss, is a British singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1980s with hits like "Wishing Well" and "Sign Your Name". In a different field, Terry Fox, a Canadian amputee, became an international icon of perseverance when he embarked on the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise funds for cancer research after his own diagnosis. Terry Gilliam, an English film director and animator, co-founded Monty Python's Flying Circus and is well-known for directing films such as Time Bandits, Brazil, and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Finally, Teresa Teng, a Taiwanese singer-songwriter, gained international fame in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like "I Only Love You" and "Misirlou". Her music was a blend of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Western influences.

Genealogical research on the last name Ter

The surname Ter is of Dutch and German origin, stemming from medieval Europe. It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a bank or mound of earth, derived from the Old High German word "terp" meaning embankment or hill, or the Middle Dutch word "terp" meaning mound or heap. The name can also be occupational for a builder of dikes or embankments, from the same roots. Notable individuals with the surname Ter include Pieter ter Borch, a prominent 17th-century Dutch painter, and Cor ter Avestein, a Dutch politician who served as Mayor of Nijmegen. The variant Tier is found primarily in Germany, while the spelling Ter is common in the Netherlands. Genealogical records show that the surname Ter has been traced back to the 14th century in the Netherlands and 16th century in Germany.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Ter reehorst

Last name • surnames > ter-reehorst

The last name "ter Reehorst" is of Dutch origin. It is a combination of two elements: "ter," which is a prefix meaning "at" or "by" in Dutch, and "Reehorst," which likely refers to...

#2 Ter sakiti

Last name • surnames > ter-sakiti

The surname "ter sakiti" is of Indonesian origin. It is derived from the Javanese word "sakiti," which means "to be hurt" or "to be wounded." This surname is often associated with ...

#3 Tera baap

Last name • surnames > tera-baap

The last name "Tera Baap" is of Indian origin. It is a Hindi phrase that translates to "Your Father" in English. It is not a traditional last name, but rather a derogatory expressi...

#4 Tera liya

Last name • surnames > tera-liya

The last name "Tera Liya" is of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic phrase meaning "for you." It may be a surname given to individuals as a sign of belonging or dedication to so...

#5 Tera mitha

Last name • surnames > tera-mitha

The last name "Tera Mitha" is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Punjab. It is a combination of two Punjabi words, "Tera" meaning "your" and "Mitha" meaning "sweet." ...

#6 Tera naam hai

Last name • surnames > tera-naam-hai

The last name "Tera Naam Hai" originates from the Indian subcontinent, specifically from languages such as Hindi and Urdu. In this context, "tera naam hai" means "your name is" in ...

#7 Terada

Last name • surnames > terada

The last name Terada is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese words "tera" meaning temple and "ta" meaning rice paddy.

#8 Terado

Last name • surnames > terado

The last name Terado is of Japanese origin. It is a relatively common surname in Japan and is believed to have originated from a place name or geographical feature. It may also hav...

#9 Teraegn

Last name • surnames > teraegn

The last name "teraegn" appears to have originated from Scandinavia, particularly from countries like Sweden or Norway. It is likely a variation of a Nordic surname with Old Norse ...

#10 Terag

Last name • surnames > terag

Terag is a surname of Australian origin. It is derived from the Indigenous Australian word "durag" meaning "fire" or "brightness." The surname may also have Scottish origins, as it...

#11 Terai

Last name • surnames > terai

The surname Terai is likely derived from a geographical location, specifically a region in northern Italy called Terzo d'Alemagna (Third Germany) in the province of Trentino-Alto A...

#12 Teramoto

Last name • surnames > teramoto

The surname Teramoto is a Japanese name, originating from the archipelago of Japan. It can be translated as "Tera mountain" (tera meaning temple or sacred place and mountain being ...

#13 Teranavvu

Last name • surnames > teranavvu

The last name "teranavvu" does not appear to have a known origin in English. It may be a rare or unique surname that does not have a widely recognized etymology.

#14 Terasa

Last name • surnames > terasa

The surname Terasa originates from the Czech and Slovak languages, derived from the given name Tereza, a form of the name Theresa. It is a common surname in the Czech Republic and ...

#15 Terashima

Last name • surnames > terashima

The last name Terashima is of Japanese origin. It is derived from a combination of the words "tera" meaning temple, and "shima" meaning island.