Surname Feis - Meaning and Origin
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Feis: What does the surname Feis mean?
The surname 'Feis' is of Scottish origin and belongs to the category of 'habitational' surnames, meaning that it is derived from a place name or geographical feature. The name likely comes from a region such as Fers in Moray, Scotland, an area of the country with a long history and many archaeological sites. Other possible origins include the Gaelic word “fmes” for “incomplete” - referring to unfinished work - as well as the Old English word “feohs” for “fees”, denoting payment or wages.
Throughout the years, variations of this surname have evolved - such as Fess, Fey, Hits and Fie - and some versions can be found across Europe and the United States, mainly as a result of the spread of Gaelic culture and language in those areas.
The earliest recorded evidence of the name Feis can be found in the records of Scotland and Ireland, making it one of the oldest known surnames. A scan of popular names in Scotland in 1500 reveal that Feis was a well-established surname in that time frame, indicating a long history and widespread use of the name.
The Feis surname is linked to many notable figures in Scotland, from respected 18th century lawyer James Feiss to Kenyan-British political theorist Richard Feisalot. To this day, many people bearing the Feis name are proud of their heritage and family history.
Order DNA origin analysisFeis: Where does the name Feis come from?
The surname Feis is most common in modern-day Germany, Italy, and Austria. Specifically, census data shows that this surname was most commonly found in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg; in Italy, they were first found in Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna; and in Austria, they were first found in Lower Austria. The Feis surname may have its origins in Old German, where it likely indicated a profession. It could have referred to a distiller, a brewer, or an auctioneer.
Interestingly, the surname Feis has American roots as well! In the late 19th century, several immigrants bearing the Feis surname arrived in the United States and settled in New York City. As they assimilated, their name was commonly Americanized to “Fice” or “Fayze.” Today, those variations are now found in record across the United States and beyond.
No matter its origins, the Feis surname is an ever-evolving name, shifting with time and culture. This surname has gone from Old German roots to becoming widespread around Europe, and even to America. As the world continues to become an increasingly connected place, it'll be fascinating to see how the Feis surname transforms in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Feis
The surname Feis is of German and Dutch origin, derived from the German word "Vaiß" and the Dutch word "veis" both of which mean tax collector. Historically, the surname Feis referred to someone who was a tax collector in feudal Europe. The surname Feis is most common in the USA and Germany, but can also be found in other parts of the world including Austria, France, and the Czech Republic.
Variants of the surname Feis include Fais, Fice, Fies, Faisch, Fisch, Vais, Veis, and Vaiß.
The surname Feis is also spelled with a multitude of variations, such as Feiss, Feyss, Feys, Feiß, Feish, Fiese, Feies, Fiesch, Ficke, Ficke, Faitz, Fite, Fahs, and Faus.
Some surnames of similar origin are Faisal, Faister, Faity, Fait, Feyster, Weis, Weisz, Weise, Vaisman, Veisman, Vaysman, and Vaisberg.
Each of the variants, spellings, and surnames of Feis are all related back to the same origin. The original meaning of the surname, “tax collector,” has been retained throughout the different variations, suggesting that the surname Feis has been used for centuries as an occupational name.
Famous people with the name Feis
- Nicolas Feis: Actor, best known for his roles in Crónica de Escándalos and Amor y Odio.
- Maximo Feis: Football player from Uruguay. He is currently with the Liga Universitaria de Quito.
- Ricardo Feis: Drummer from Brazil, currently with the Latin music group Clave Latina.
- Elsa Feis: Model and actress from Spain who has appeared in several television series.
- Josef Feis: Professional wrestler from Czech Republic who is best known for his appearances in WWE.
- Mauricio Feis: Musician from Argentina who is best known for creating the music for the movie El Lobo.
- Marta Feis: Actor from Argentina who has appeared in several movies, including Los Secretos de Llevarte a Marte.
- Christine Feis: Musician from the USA who plays a range of instruments including cello and violin.
- Mirella Feis: Contemporary artist from Colombia who recently had a solo exhibition in Bogota.
- enjoyed Feis: Visual designer from Argentina who creates digital artwork.
- Daniel Feis: Documentary producer from Bolivia who is best known for his films on human rights in Latin America.
- Sergio Feis: Actor and comedian from Venezuela who has been featured in several films and television shows.