Recorded in the forms of Tellenbach, Dellenbach, Tellenbrok, Tellenbrook, Tellenbroker, this is a German topgraphical surname. It describes either a person who lives on the branch or tributary (dell or tell) of a small river (bach, brok or brook), or from a place of the same name. The origin is pre 7th century Olde German, although the surname itself, however spelt, is much later. Usually when associated with a topographical term like bach or brook, there is no serious doubt that "dell or tell" means branch, however it may be a baptismal name. In which case it is either a shortened form of the famous compound first name and surname "Dietrich" which translates as "people-ruler", or a descriptive nickname for somebody slim and slender, hence twig or branch. The name development includes Pieter Dellenbach who married Verena Wodler at Loerrach, Baden, Germany, on August 28th 1667, and Friedrich Tellenbach, who married Anne Marie Guelenhart at Betberg, also Baden, on October 6th 1760. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Heintze Telle, which was dated 1373, at Lauffen, Mulheim, Germany. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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