ENTYMOLOGY - THE NAME "THUN"

The origin of the name "Tono" is unknown. The diverse testimonials contain name authorities such as Tunno, Tonno, Thunne and Tunn. It was only in the course of the 14th century that the "German form" of Tono (Thunn) became naturalized, an alteration which is explained by the contacts with German-speaking regions and the spread of this name "Thunn" through the family, especially in the central European region. In 1407, everyone in the family was known by the name "Thunn" for the first time when five family members entered the Elephantenbund [1]. However, the Nonsbergers currently continue to call the family "Ton" . [2]

Further clues to the problem surrounding the origin of the name (i.e the family) itself can be found in the records from the 12th century on the famous Passo Tonale, which contains the same word root. This is said to have been mentioned at Passo Tonale as early as 1127 upon donation of the hospice S. Bartolomeo [3], i.e before the first known mention of the family member Betoldus de Tonno from the year 1145, which indicates that the name "Ton" was previously widespread in the region of the Non Valley and Val di Soles.

"Siehe oben" The pass which functioned as an important crossing for trade in the Middle Ages [4] was not situated directly near the family residence by the Rocchetta. In the Middle Ages, it was also customary for people to name themselves after their place of residence, and not vice versa. [5]

[MT]

Read something about the beginnings of the Thun family >here<

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[1] Foundation text from 28th March 1407, printed by: Jakob A. Brandis, History of Provincial Governors of Tirol, Innsbruck 1850, S. 156-162.

[2] cf. Quirino Bezzi, la storia della Val di Sole, S. 139.

[3] Will of Dominikus de Marchis from 13th April 1127, cited by Bartolomeo Del Pero, History of the Hospices on Passo Tonale (the Schlern 14) 1933, 288-289, here S. 288.

[4] cf. Gian Maria Varanini, Itinerari commerciali sceondari nel Trentino bassomedievale, in: The Development of the Alpine Region for Commerce in the Middle Ages and early modern Era. L'apertura dell'area alpina traffico nel medioevo e nella prima era moderna (Publication Series of the Alpen Countries Consortium, ed. by the Commission III Culture, Reports from the Historians' Conferences 7), Bozen 1996, S. 101-128, here S. 108-109; continues to be fundamental to the history of the Hospice of S. Bartolomeo, but sparse; Bartolomeo Del Pero, History of the Hospice at Passo Tonale (the Schlern 14) 1933, 288-289.

[5] cf. Josef Egger, History of Tirol from the earliest to the modern Era, Innsbruck 1880, S. 264).