Surname Laiss - Meaning and Origin
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Laiss: What does the surname Laiss mean?
The last name Laiss is believed to have originated in France or Germany. It is an occupational name meaning “stall keeper,” from the word “laisse” which was the Old French term for a stall or booth. It typically referred to someone who sold goods in a market. However, there are records of Laiss individuals in other European countries, including Prussia and Croatia, that suggest the name also had a patronymic origin.
The name Laiss could be connected to the old Germanic “Letha” meaning “warrior,” or the old Germanic “laesi” meaning “terrorism.” It could also be connected to the old Norse word “leist,” which means “craft” or “trade.”
Laiss is a relatively uncommon name throughout Europe and North America today. However, it is still possible to find individuals with the surname in countries like France, Poland, Germany, Croatia, and beyond. Some Laiss families may be descended from the same ancestor, which is why there may be some living in different parts of the world.
In general, the surname Laiss has a long history and is associated with trade and commerce, as well as a sense of community. In modern times, it has become a sign of distinction and is thought to represent hard work, tenacity and loyalty.
Order DNA origin analysisLaiss: Where does the name Laiss come from?
The last name Laiss is thought to be of German origin. It is most commonly found in France and Germany today. It is an uncommon name outside of those two countries.
In France, the name is most found in the northeast part of the country around the city of Reims. In Germany, the surname is most common in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The origin of the last name Laiss is shrouded in mystery. It is believed to have been derived from the Germanic personal name Lazo or Laso. This suggests the name originated as an occupational name for someone in a position of authority or someone who held a certain official title.
The last name Laiss does not appear in any records in the United States prior to the early 20th century. This indicates a relatively recent arrival of the surname to the United States. The name is likely carried by fewer than 1000 people in the United States today, since it is such an uncommon name.
Overall, the surname Laiss is most common in France and Germany, though it does exist in the United States albeit in small numbers. The origin of the name is likely derived from the Germanic personal name, Lazo or Laso, suggesting an occupation or official title.
Variations of the surname Laiss
The surname Laiss is a long-established French-based surname. It is of toponymic origin, derived from the place name Lais, which comes from the Latin ‘lacus’ meaning lake. The surname Laiss is a variant spelling and usually found in northwestern France.
The other variants and spellings of the surname Laiss include Lais, Layes, Laye, de Laisse, Laisée, Laises, Laisey, Lays, and Laysse.
The surnames of the same origin include Leys, Leyss, and Leysse. These are all derived from the toponym. All of these surname variants have agendas in northwestern France and areas close by.
The surname Lais and its variant spellings are fairly popular amongst the French, especially those who are from the northwest areas of France. The variants of the same origin are rarer but also exist within the country.
The French word ‘lais’ also means ring, and it is possible that, in some cases, the surname was originally a nickname referring to rings, such as wedding rings.
The spelling of the surname has changed over time, and some families have dropped or altered the prefix ‘de’ or added the suffix ‘e’ or ‘ey’. Other variants have developed through simple misspellings over the centuries.
In the past, Laiss was also used as a first name, and people named Laiss likely adopted it as a surname at some point. Today, there are a number of people with the surname Laiss living in France, the United Kingdom, and across continental Europe.
Famous people with the name Laiss
- Karen Laiss: Known for being the former Miss Austria, Laiss is an Austrian beauty pageant titleholder.
- David Laiss: An American fashion photographer who is mainly known for capturing architecture and cities across Europe.
- Matthias Laiss: A mathematician and professor at Princeton University.
- Alexander Laiss: The award-winning German filmmaker who has directed feature-length films such as Home Away and Knock Knock.
- Gerhard Laiss: A German Paralympian who participated in track and field events at the 1976 Paralympic Games.
- Antje Laiss: The former field hockey player for Germany who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- Johann Laiss: A German art dealer and gallery owner known for curating exhibitions of renowned artists such as Ernst Wilhelm Nay and Antoni Gaudí.
- Carolin Laiss: German actress best known for her role in the television series Leienfelser's Land.
- Henning Laiss: German singer and songwriter who released his debut album Unterwegs im Abseits in 2018.
- Thomas Laiss: Austrian architect and sculptor who has designed several bridges, residential buildings, and public art installations.