Surname Ließ - Meaning and Origin

Ließ: What does the surname Ließ mean?

The last name Ließ is a German surname originating from Middle High German. Depending on region, the surname is spelled Leß, Liss, oder Liß. The surname Ließ is an occupational last name, meaning someone who either chooses or procures furs on behalf of someone else. The term ‘Ließ’ is riefered to an Old High German word ‘Lidz’ (or ‘Litz’) meaning pelt, or fur. Surnames deriving from this source usually indicated that the first bearer of the name was a skinner, furrier or tanner as well as a purveyor of animal skins.

Variations of the name Ließ are found mostly in Germany and Switzerland but there are a few instances in other European countries as well. It is aso possible that the surname could have originated in a non-Germanic language and adapted into the German language. It first became prominent in Bavaria. From there the surname spread to the surrounding states, which is why today the name is most commonly found in the German speaking areas of Europe.

Over time the use of the name Ließ has spread to other language groups and regions. Today the surname is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the USA and Canada. While the meaning of the name may have changed and spread throughout different regions, regions that use the name Ließ likely still maintain some reference to the animal fur trade.

Ließ: Where does the name Ließ come from?

The surname Ließ (also spelled Leiss or Liss) is quite common throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Europe, it primarily occurs in the former East German states of Saxony, Brandenburg, Thuringia, and the Saxon area of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also found in smaller numbers in the Czech Republic, as well as in North and South America, and parts of Australia.

The Ließ surname originated with a unique patronymic. Ließ comes from the Germanic personal name “Lied” or “Lieb” which both refer to “love”. Those with the Ließ surname were likely originally identified as someone's beloved or beloved son, or a kin who was favored by the family.

The Ließ surname is extremely common in Bavarian and Bohemian regions. In the 19th century, it was one of the top ten surnames in Bohemia. This of course suggests that the Ließ surname is a local, endogamous name which originated in the Mitteleuropa region.

By the early 20th century, the Ließ surname had spread beyond the confines of German-speaking Europe into other parts of the world. Ließ families were found in Dutch colonies in the West Indies, as well as in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It is likely that many with the Ließ family name originally emigrated from Germany during World War I in order to escape harsh imposed taxes and military conscription.

Today, the Ließ surname is still quite common throughout Europe, particularly in German-speaking countries. Wherever it is found, the Ließ surname is a reminder of a family's proud European heritage.

Variations of the surname Ließ

The Ließ surname is a German surname which is derived from the Old High Germans word "Liuza" which translates to "Beloved". It is said to represent a noble lineage which has been commonly adopted by families hailing from countries in central and northern Europe, mainly Germany and Austria, as well as Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland.

Variants of this surname include Liss, Ließ, Liess and Lies. Spellings for these variants could include Lies, Liess, Liez, Liss, Lias and Liess.

The Ließ surname often transforms to other surnames that belong to the same origin, depending on geographical locations and dialects. The variants Liss, Lisser and Lissner are mainly used in Germany and Austria, whilst the variants Liess and Liesser are used more in Switzerland. The variants Lissen and Lien are more common in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Ließ surname is also associated to surnames of a similar origin, such as Lissmann, Liessbereg, Lissberg, Liebereg, Liesel, Leesserman, Lieberech and Liebregts.

In conclusion, the Ließ surname and its variants can take on several forms, depending on the region in which it is being used. With a range of spellings and surnames of the same origin associated to the Ließ surname, families have been able to connect generations and cultures through the history of their surname.

Famous people with the name Ließ

• Özlem Türeci: German oncologist and founder of the biopharmaceutical company BioNTech
• Julian Ließ: German Footballer
• Josefine Ließ: German handball player
• Sarah Ließ: German jazz singer and songwriter
• Karl Ließ: German classical archaeologist
• Cornelius Ließ: German actor
• Bryan Ließ: German economist
• Christian Ließ: German composer and music producer
• Martin Ließ: German Radio host and DJ
• Katharina Ließ-Koch: German journalist

Other surnames

Ließegang