Theophilus is a male given name with a range of alternative spellings. Its origin is the Greek word Θεόφιλος from θεός (''theós'', "God") and φιλία (''philía'', "love or affection") can be translated as "Love of God" or "Friend of God", i.e., it is a
theophoric name
A theophoric name (from Greek: , ''theophoros'', literally "bearing or carrying a god") embeds the word equivalent of 'god' or a god's name in a person's name, reflecting something about the character of the person so named in relation to that d ...
, synonymous with the name ''
Amadeus
Amadeus may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Amadeus (name)
Amadeus is a theophoric name, theophoric given name derived from the Latin words ' – the Imperative mood, imperative of the word ' ("to love") – and ' ("god"). As a Compou ...
'' which originates from Latin,
Gottlieb
Gottlieb (formerly D. Gottlieb & Co.) was an American arcade game corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. It is best known for creating a vast line of pinball machines and arcade games (including ''Q*bert'') throughout much of the 20th century.
...
in German and
Bogomil
Bogomilism (; ; sh-Latn-Cyrl, separator=" / ", bogumilstvo, богумилство) was a Christian neo-Gnostic, dualist sect founded in the First Bulgarian Empire by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Peter I in the 10th century. I ...
or
Bogumił in Slavic.
Theophilus may refer to:
People
Arts
*
Theophilus Cibber
Theophilus Cibber (25 or 26 November 1703 – October 1758) was an English actor, playwright, author, and son of the actor-manager Colley Cibber.
He began acting at an early age, and followed his father into theatrical management. In 1727, Alex ...
(1703–1758), English actor, playwright, author, son of the actor-manager Colley Cibber
*
Theophilus Clarke (1776?–1831), English painter
*
Theophilos Hatzimihail (c. 1870–1934), Greek folk painter from Lesbos
*
Theophilus Presbyter
Theophilus Presbyter (fl. c. 1070–1125) is the pseudonymous author or compiler of a Latin text containing detailed descriptions of various medieval arts, a text commonly known as the ''Schedula diversarum artium'' ("List of various arts") or ''D ...
(1070–1125), Benedictine monk, and author of the best-known medieval "how-to" guide to several arts, including oil painting — thought to be a pseudonym of
Roger of Helmarshausen
Historical
*
Theophilos (emperor)
Theophilos (, sometimes Latinised as Theophilus; 20 January 842) was Byzantine Emperor from 829 until his death in 842. He was the second emperor of the Amorian dynasty and the last emperor to support iconoclasm.
Theophilos was well-educated ...
(c. 812–842), Byzantine Emperor (reigned 829–842), the second of the Phrygian dynasty
*
Theophilus (geographer), ancient Greek geographer
*
Theophilus (jurist)
Theophilus is a male given name with a range of alternative spellings. Its origin is the Greek word Θεόφιλος from θεός (''theós'', "God") and φιλία (''philía'', "love or affection") can be translated as "Love of God" or "Friend ...
(fl. 533), one author of the
Institutes of Justinian
The ''Institutes'' () is a component of the ''Corpus Juris Civilis'', the 6th-century codification of Roman law ordered by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. It is largely based upon the ''Institutes'' of Gaius, a Roman jurist of the second centu ...
*
Theophilus (Indo-Greek) (fl. 130 or 90 BC), Indo-Greek king
*
Theophilus of Edessa (695–785), medieval astrologer and scholar
*
Theophilos Erotikos (10th century)
Theophilos Erotikos (, ) was a 10th-century Byzantine jurist and official.
Life
His origin and family are unknown, except that he was a relative by marriage of a certain '' patrikios'' Nikephoros, who was appointed by Constantine VII (r. 945� ...
, Byzantine jurist and geometer
*
Theophilus Protospatharius
Theophilus Protospatharius (; ca. 7th century) was the author of several extant Greek medical works. Nothing is known of his life or the time when he lived. He is generally called "'' Protospatharius''", which seems to have been originally a milita ...
, (c. 7th century), Byzantine medical writer
Politics
*
Theophilus Bradbury (1739–1803), U.S. Representative from Massachusetts
*
Theophilus Eugene Connor (1897–1973), Birmingham, Alabama's notorious Commissioner of Public Safety during the American Civil Rights Movement
*
Theophilus Daniel
Theophilus Alfred James Daniel (1817 – 22 March 1893) was a 19th-century Member of parliament, Member of Parliament from Southland, New Zealand, Southland, New Zealand.
He represented the Wallace (New Zealand electorate), Wallace electorat ...
(1817–1893), New Zealand politician
*
Theophilus Danjuma
Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (born 9 December 1938) is a Nigerian politician and retired lieutenant general who played a key role in post-independence military and political events in Nigeria. Danjuma amassed an enormous fortune through shipping ...
(born 1938), influential Nigerian soldier and politician
*
Theophilus Eaton
Theophilus Eaton ( January 7, 1658) was a New England Colonies, New England colonist, politician, merchant and financier, who took part in organizing and financing the Puritan migration, Great Puritan Migration to America. He was a founder ...
(1590–1658), merchant, farmer, Puritan colonial leader, co-founder and first governor of New Haven Colony, Connecticut
*
Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk
Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk, (13 August 15843 June 1640) was an England, English nobleman and politician.
Career
Born at the family estate of Saffron Walden, he was the son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, by his second wife, ...
(1584–1640), English nobleman and politician
*
Theophilus F. Metcalf (1816–1891), American farmer and politician
*
Theophilus Shepstone
Theophilus Shepstone
Sir Theophilus Shepstone (8 January 181723 June 1893) was a British South African statesman who was responsible for the annexation of the Transvaal to Britain in 1877. Shepstone is the great-great-grandfather of internat ...
(1817–1893), British South African statesman
*
Theophilus Williams
Theophilus Williams (7 August 1824 – 26 June 1904) was an Australian businessman of Welsh origin who served as mayor of Ballarat East for three separate terms.
History
Williams was born in Bristol
Bristol () is a City status in the U ...
(1824–1904), mayor of Ballarat
Military
*
Theophilos Erotikos
Theophilos Erotikos () was an 11th-century Byzantine '' strategos'' (general) and governor of Serbia and then Cyprus. In 1038, as governor of Serbia, he was ousted by a local rebellion against the Byzantine regime and its Serbian supporters. ...
(fl. 1034–1042), Byzantine general and governor, rebel in Cyprus
*
Theophilus H. Holmes (1804–1880), Confederate general in the American Civil War
*
Theophilos Kourkouas
Theophilos Kourkouas (, fl. ca. 920–960s) was a distinguished Byzantine general in the 10th century. He was also the grandfather of the Byzantine emperor John I Tzimiskes (r. 969–976).
Biography
Theophilos was a scion of the Kourkouas fa ...
(920–970), Byzantine general, grandfather of emperor John I Tzimiskes
*
Theophilus Weeks (1708–1772), soldier in the French and Indian War
Religious
*
Patriarch Theophilus (disambiguation) Patriarch Theophilus or Theophilos may refer to:
* Theophilus of Antioch, ruled in 169–182
* Theophilus I of Alexandria, ruled in 385–412
* Theophilus II (Coptic patriarch of Alexandria), reigned 952–956
* Theophilus II (Greek patriarch of Al ...
*
Theophilus (biblical)
Theophilus (Greek: Θεόφιλος) is the name or honorary title of the person to whom the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed ( Luke 1:3, Acts 1:1). It is thought that both works are by the same author, and often argued t ...
, person to whom the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles were addressed
*
Theophilus of Antioch
:''There is also a Theophilus of Alexandria'' ( 412)
Theophilus of Antioch () was Patriarch of Antioch from 169 until 183. He succeeded Eros of Antioch 169, and was succeeded by Maximus I 183, according to Henry Fynes Clinton, but these dat ...
(died c. 183), Christian apologist and Patriarch of Antioch
*
Theophilus, bishop of Caesarea
Saint Theophilus (Greek: Θεόφιλος; died c.196) was a bishop of Caesarea Maritima and teacher of Clement of Alexandria. Eusebius says Theophilus was well known.
Along with Narcissus of Jerusalem, he presided over the Synod of Caesarea ...
(fl. 195)
*
Theophilus the Deacon, martyr from Libya
*
Theophilus (bishop of the Goths), first known Gothic bishop, participant of the First Council of Nicaea in 325
*
Theophilos the Indian
Theophilos the Indian, also known as Theophilus Indus () (died 364), also called "the Ethiopian", was an Aetian or Heteroousian bishop who fell alternately in and out of favor with the court of the Roman emperor Constantius II. He is mentioned in ...
(fl. 354–364), Arian bishop, also called "The Ethiopian", probably from the Maldive Islands
*
Pope Theophilus of Alexandria (died c. 412), 23rd Pope of Alexandria
*
Theophilus of Adana
Saint Theophilus the Penitent, also known as Theophilus of Cilicia or Theophilus of Adana (Greek language, Greek: Θεόφιλος Άδανας, died 538) was a cleric in the sixth century Christianity, Church who is said to have made a deal wit ...
(fl. 538), bishop who made a pact with the devil
*
Theophilus Presbyter
Theophilus Presbyter (fl. c. 1070–1125) is the pseudonymous author or compiler of a Latin text containing detailed descriptions of various medieval arts, a text commonly known as the ''Schedula diversarum artium'' ("List of various arts") or ''D ...
(1070–1125), Benedictine monk, author, metallurgist, artist and armourer — thought to be a pseudonym of Roger of Helmarshausen
*
Theophilus Gale (1628–1678), English nonconformist divine
*
Theophilus Gates (1787–1846), American religious leader
*
Theophilus Herter
Theophilus John Herter (June 5, 1913 – June 2, 1987) was an American Anglican bishop. He was bishop of the New York and Philadelphia Synod in the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) and also served as presiding bishop of the church.
Early life and ...
(1913–1987), American Anglican bishop
*
Theophilus Lindsey
Theophilus Lindsey (20 June 1723 O.S.3 November 1808) was an English theologian and clergyman who founded the first avowedly Unitarian congregation in the country, at Essex Street Chapel. Lindsey's 1774 revised prayer book based on Samuel C ...
(1723–1808), English theologian
* Theophilus, martyr and saint (see
Dorothea of Caesarea
Dorothea of Caesarea (also known as Saint Dorothy, Greek: Δωροθέα; died ca. 311 AD) is a 4th-century virgin martyr who was executed at Caesarea Mazaca. Evidence for her actual historical existence or ''acta'' is very sparse. She is calle ...
)
* Theophilus, a pagan lawyer converted by Saint
Dorothea of Caesarea
Dorothea of Caesarea (also known as Saint Dorothy, Greek: Δωροθέα; died ca. 311 AD) is a 4th-century virgin martyr who was executed at Caesarea Mazaca. Evidence for her actual historical existence or ''acta'' is very sparse. She is calle ...
at the scene of her execution, martyr,
*
Theophilus ben Ananus
Theophilus () was the High Priest in the Second Temple in Jerusalem from 37 to 41 CE according to Josephus's ''Antiquities of the Jews''. He was a member of one of the wealthiest and most influential Jewish families in Iudaea Province during th ...
,
High Priest of Israel
In Judaism, the High Priest of Israel (, lit. ‘great priest’; Aramaic: ''Kahana Rabba'') was the head of the Israelite priesthood. He played a unique role in the worship conducted in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem, ...
.
Music
*
Theophilus London
Theophilus Musa London (born February 23, 1987) is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. He is best known for his guest appearance alongside Allan Kingdom and Paul McCartney on Kanye West's 2015 single " All Day", which peaked at num ...
(born 1987), Trinidadian-American vocalist
*
Theophilus Martins (born 1987), American rapper, DJ, and model
Other
*
Theophilus Carter
Theophilus Carter (1824 – 21 December 1904) was an Eccentricity (behavior), eccentric British furniture dealer who may have been an inspiration for the illustration by Sir John Tenniel of Lewis Carroll's characters the Mad Hatter in his 18 ...
(1824–1904), British inventor and furniture dealer
*
Theophilus Cazenove
Theophilus Cazenove, or Theophile Cazenove (13 October 1740 – 6 March 1811), was a Dutch financier and one of the agents of the Holland Land Company.
Life and career
Theophilus Cazenove was baptized in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam as the son of ...
(1740–1811), Dutch financier and one of the agents of the Holland Land Company
*
Theophilus Metcalfe (bap. 1610–c. 1645), English stenographer who invented a popular shorthand system
*
Theophilus Redwood
Theophilus Redwood (9 April 1806 – 5 March 1892) was a Welsh pharmacist who was one of the founding members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. He was born in Boverton, Llantwit Major.
In 1820 he was apprenticed to his brothe ...
(1806–1892), Welsh pharmacist
Fictional characters
* Theophilus, one of Leibniz's interlocutors in his book ''
New Essays on Human Understanding
''New Essays on Human Understanding'' () is a chapter-by-chapter rebuttal by Gottfried Leibniz of John Locke's major work '' An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'' (1689). It is one of only two full-length works by Leibniz (the other being the ...
''
* Professor Theophilus Branestawm, the protagonist of the ''
Professor Branestawm'' series of children's books
* Theophilus Goon, a policeman in Enid Blyton's ''
Five Find-Outers
''The Five Find-Outers and Dog'', also known as ''The Five Find-Outers'', is a series of children's Mystery fiction, mystery books written by Enid Blyton. The first was published in 1943 and the last in 1961. Set in the fictitious village of ...
'' series of children's mystery novels
* Dr. Theophilus Grantly, in Anthony Trollope's novel ''
Barchester Towers
''Barchester Towers'' is a novel by English author Anthony Trollope published by Longmans in 1857. It is the second book in the ''Chronicles of Barsetshire'' series, preceded by '' The Warden'' and followed by '' Doctor Thorne''.
In his autob ...
''
* Theophilus Msimangu, in Alan Paton's ''
Cry, the Beloved Country
''Cry, the Beloved Country'' is a 1948 novel by South African writer Alan Paton. Set in the prelude to apartheid in South Africa, it follows a black village priest and a white farmer who must deal with news of a murder.
American publisher B ...
''
* The title character of ''
Theophilus North'', the last novel written by Thornton Wilder, first published in 1973
*
Dr. Theophilus Tanner, from the Deathlands series of books
*
Theophilus Thistle, in a noted tongue-twister
* Theophilus P. Wildebeeste, created by
Lenny Henry
Sir Lenworth George Henry (born 29 August 1958) is a British Jamaicans, British-Jamaican comedian, actor and writer. He gained success as a Stand-up comedy, stand-up comedian and impressionist in the late 1970s and early 1980s, culminating in ' ...
* The title character of
''Theophilus'' (comic strip), a religious comic strip published 1966–2002
* The title character of
''Theofilos'' (film), a 1987 Greek film about painter Theofilos Hatzimichail
See also
*
Theofelus, surname and given name
*
Theophil Theophil (, see also Gottlieb) may refer to:
* Baron Theophil von Hansen (1813–1891), Danish architect who later became an Austrian citizen
* Theophil Friedrich Christen (1879–1920), doctor, mathematician, physicist, economist and pioneer of p ...
, a given name
*
Teófilo Teófilo is a given name. People with the name include:
*Teófilo Barrios (born 1964), Paraguayan football (soccer) defender
*Teófilo Benito (1966–2004), Spanish middle-distance runner
*Teófilo Borunda (1912–2001), Mexican politician
*Teófil ...
, a given name
*
Theophilia, the love or favour of God
*
Jedediah, a given name also meaning "Friend of God"
*
Godwin (disambiguation)
Godwin is an English-language surname with Anglo-Saxon origins. It means ''God's friend'' and is thus equivalent to Theophilus, Jedediah, Amadeus (name), Amadeus and Reuel.
However, the word "Godwin" can also mean "helper of mankind"
Surname or o ...
, the equivalent Anglo-Saxon name
* , the Icelandic form of the name
{{given name
Greek masculine given names
Masculine given names
Given names of Greek language origin
Theophoric names