Surname Feiss - Meaning and Origin
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Feiss: What does the surname Feiss mean?
The last name Feiss is of German, Swiss, and Austrian origin. Generally, the name is a variant of the Germanic name Fies which can mean “humble” or “meek” but its origin is uncertain. It can also be a variant of an old Germanic name, Feys, which means “clever” or “astute”.
The name can also link to Frey, a Norse god, the god of fertility, prosperity, and love. It is documented that throughout medieval Germany, feudal lords, but also craftsmen and merchants, adopted names such as Feiss as a means to honor their families within the gentry.
The name can also have Jewish origins, as the German surname Fiesz is thought to have been used by Jewish families who moved to the various German speaking states of Europe during the Middle Ages.
Today, the last name Feiss is mostly found throughout Europe. It is likely best known as an Austrian family name which in part reflects its association with the early history of Austria and surrounding countries. Although rare, the surname has spread to other parts of the world, and can be found most commonly in North America and parts of the United Kingdom.
Order DNA origin analysisFeiss: Where does the name Feiss come from?
The last name Feiss is of German origin and is most prevalent in modern day Germany. It is also common throughout Austria, Switzerland, and some parts of Eastern Europe. In the United States, it has been in existence since the 17th century. It is most commonly found in the Midwest, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic regions. Various estimates suggest that there are several thousand individuals with this last name living in the United States today.
The Feiss name originates from the Teutonic words "feis" or "veis" which means to visit, a reference to a guest or traveller. The name likely refers to people who were travelling to different places and carrying the name with them. In Germany, records of this surname go back to at least 1562 in the city of Mainz.
Feiss is also a common name in the UK with the highest concentration of people with this surname living in London. In the United States, the largest Feiss population is located in Nebraska with smaller groups also found in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, and California. Other Germanic countries also have significant numbers, such as in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands.
The Feiss name carries a rich history and is a prominent part of Europe's cultural roots. It is a lasting testament of its original owners' travels and the far-reaching impact they have left.
Variations of the surname Feiss
The surname Feiss is of German origins and has many alternate variants, including Fais, Feyss, Feisz, Feisss, Feise, Feisey, Feicy, Feisee, Faizey, Feisly, Feyse, Feysey, Faisey, Faisy, Fess and Feyssen. Feiss can also be found anglicized and with suffixes, such as Faisseau, Faissal, Fessenden, Feisser or Feissinger.
The variations in spelling have also been seen within the same family, for example Joseph Feiss and his son Heinrich Feice. This suggests that the evolution of the name could have occurred with the adoption of surnames at the start of the 19th century. At this time, an individual’s surname was largely based on the language spoken in their area and the name ‘Feiss’ or ‘Fais’ is a Germanification of the French name ‘Faisse’ or ‘Fayse.’
The use of surnames as a way of distinguishing people of the same name can be traced back to the 11th century and was brought to Europe by the Normans. It’s likely that the Germanic form of the surname, ‘Feiss’ was very widespread in Germany by the 18th century. The name has now spread globally and is found in many parts of the world, such as Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Feiss
- Melissa Feiss: Australian actress, best known for her roles in the television miniseries "Mother and Son" and "Out of the Blue"
- Clotilde Feiss: French actress who starred in the films "Un couple épatant" and "Une histoire de l'art supreme"
- Harvey Feiss: American author, poet, and UCLA emeritus professor of philosophy
- Gabrielle Feiss: French singer, pianist, composer, and radio host
- Eric Feiss: Singer-songwriter and former member of the band The Boxer Rebellion
- Alain Feiss: German-born French sculptor and artist
- Mark Feiss: Producer, guerilla drummer, and recording artist
- Margaret Feiss: Canadian actress, best known for her roles in the television series "Code Name: Eternity" and the film "Double Jeopardy"
- Randy Feiss: American screenwriter, best known for his collaboration with David Lynch on the film "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me"
- Leonard Feiss: American visual artist and photographer