The name Teressa has its origins in the Latin language and can be traced back to ancient Rome. It is a feminine form of the name Terence, which is derived from the Latin word "Terrentius" or "Terentius." This name is believed to have come from the Roman family name "Terentius," which may have originated from the Etruscan word "teren," meaning "tender" or "delicate."

In the early Christian era, the name Teressa gained popularity as a variation of the name Teresa, which was borne by Saint Teresa of Ávila, a prominent Spanish mystic and reformer who lived in the 16th century (1515-1582). Saint Teresa was known for her role in the Counter-Reformation and for founding several reformed Carmelite convents.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Teressa can be found in the writings of the Italian poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), who mentioned a character named Teressa in his famous work, "The Divine Comedy."

Over the centuries, the name Teressa has been carried by several notable individuals. One such example is Teressa Bellissimo (1937-2018), an American actress and singer who appeared in numerous television shows and films in the 1960s and 1970s.

Another prominent figure with this name is Teressa Renee Graves (1948-2003), an American educator and civil rights activist who played a significant role in the desegregation of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas, during the late 1950s.

In the literary world, Teressa Jennings (1940-2008) was an American writer and poet who published several collections of poetry and received numerous awards for her work.

Teressa Longo (1910-1998) was an Italian-American labor organizer and activist who fought for workers' rights and played a pivotal role in the rise of the American labor movement in the mid-20th century.

Lastly, Teressa Ríos (1917-2000) was a Mexican-American author and educator who wrote extensively about Mexican-American culture and history, contributing to the Chicano literary canon.