tilainen

Tilainen is a Finnish surname. It belongs to a class of Finnish last names formed with the suffix -inen, a common ending that often signals belonging or relation. The likely origin of tilainen lies in the noun tila, which can mean estate, place, or room; combined with the suffix, tilainen is typically interpreted as “one from a place” or “inhabitant of an estate.” As a surname, tilainen is primarily found in Finland and among communities with Finnish ancestry, and historical records show its use dating back to the 19th century and earlier in some regions.

In contemporary usage, the name tilainen is borne by multiple individuals in Finland who have pursued activities across various sectors, including academia, sports, and public life. Like many Finnish surnames, tilainen may be encountered outside Finland among the Finnish diaspora, though it remains most common within Finland’s population.

The surname is mainly of historical and genealogical interest, offering a window into patterns of residence and affiliation in Finnish naming traditions. Because surnames can arise independently in different locales or families, not every instance of tilainen will share a precise, documented origin beyond the general etymology described above. For those researching family history, parish records, census data, and regional registries in Finland are typical sources that can shed light on where and when a particular tilainen family originated.