Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Tess

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      Harvester

      Variations

      Tessa, Tessie, Tessla
      The name Tess is of English origin and derives from the word harvest, reflecting its meaning of harvester. It has been a popular choice for girls throughout history, with usage dating back several centuries. The name gained prominence in England during the medieval period and has since spread to various English-speaking countries.

      In historical contexts, the name Tess can be found in several records and literary works. One notable example is the classic novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, which was published in 1891. The protagonist of the novel, Tess Durbeyfield, embodies the strength and resilience associated with the name. Over the years, Tess has continued to be used in literature, films, and other forms of popular culture, making it a well-recognized name with enduring appeal.

      In modern-day usage, Tess remains a popular choice for parents seeking a simple yet elegant name for their daughters. It is often seen as a short form of the names Theresa or Tessa, but it can also stand on its own as a standalone name. Tess exudes a sense of grace and simplicity, making it versatile and suitable for a wide range of individuals. Its connection to the word harvest adds a touch of symbolism, evoking associations of abundance, hard work, and nature.

      Based on our records...

      Williams

      Williams

      This is the most common surname associated with Tess.
      John

      John

      This is the most common name of those married to a Tess.
      Catherine

      Catherine

      This is the most common name for a child of a Tess.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1905 is when there were the most people born with the first name Tess.

      Explore the origins of another name.