Surname Guess - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Lineage and Grasping a Deeper Understanding of Surname 'Guess' via iGENEA DNA Test

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X. Guess

Guess: What does the surname Guess mean?

The last name Guess is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the old English pre 7th century word "gisc" or the old Norse "gestr", both meaning guest. Guess could have been a name given to someone who ran a lodging or guest house, or possibly for a stranger or guest who settled in the area. It is also suggested that Guess could be originated from a medieval nickname for a capricious or strange person or someone who was a stranger or newcomer to a settlement. This last name has various spelling forms including Gess, Giess, and Gues. As a surname, Guess is prevalent in the United States predominantly within African-American communities, possibly indicating a history of being imposed during the era of slavery. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Asa Guess who married in December 1638 in London, England. Today it is also associated with the global fashion brand, Guess Inc.

Guess: Where does the name Guess come from?

The surname Guess is believed to have originated from the medieval English name Gace, which itself comes from an old French personal name, Wazo. The term Wazo is of Germanic origin and is related to the word "wazo" meaning "to dare" or "to be bold".

In terms of geographical prominence, the last name Guess is widely spread across English-speaking countries, especially in the United States. According to the statistics, it's particularly common in the Southern United States, with the highest concentrations in North Carolina and Kentucky. The Guess last name has also spread to other parts of the world due to historical migration patterns. Even though it is not significantly abundant in any particular country outside of the United States, it can still be found in people of various nationalities worldwide.

The surname has gained further popularity through famous people like Maurice and Paul Guess, founders of the American clothing brand "Guess." Thus, while the Guess surname has humble medieval English origins, it is now recognized globally due to its prominence in American culture and commerce.

Variations of the surname Guess

The surname Guess predominantly originates from western Europe, especially Germanic and English regions. As a surname, it could refer to someone who works or trades in geese, derived from Old English "ges" meaning "goose". It's also found in the German surname "Güss", stemming from the personal name "Guso".

Various spelling and pronunciation changes have given rise to different variants of this surname over the centuries. Some variations include Guess, Gess, Guesses, Guesser, Guessier, Guest, and Guse. There are also more localized variants such as Gäss, Gässle, Gässl, in German-speaking regions.

It's also important to mention the probability of phonetically similar yet unrelated names. For instance, the surname Jess is phonetically very close, but it originates from a different lineage.

Please remember that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings across different geographical regions and cultures. Also, the same surname can be transliterated differently when moving from one language to another. Therefore, the above-mentioned should be seen as a guide, rather than a complete list of variants or origins.

Famous people with the name Guess

• Georges Marciano: A co-founder of Guess?, Inc., the famous international clothing brand, alongside his brothers Maurice, Paul, and Armand.
• Maurice Marciano: Another co-founder of Guess?, Inc. He also served as the company's executive chairman and chief executive officer.
• Paul Marciano: Co-founder of Guess?, Inc., who is well-known for his advertising and marketing strategies that helped make the brand globally popular.
• Armand Marciano: The fourth brother in the Marciano family who co-founded and helped run Guess?, Inc.
• Maurice Guess: An African-American television writer known for his work on the sitcom, "Good Times."
• Linda Guess: A costume designer for various American TV series.
• Gary Guess: An American pastor and author recognized for his religious books.
• George Azar Guess: Also known as Chief Dragging Canoe, was a Cherokee leader during and after the American Revolutionary War. The last names of the Marciano brothers are not technically 'Guess', but they are significantly associated with the Guess?, Inc. brand. It's also important to note that popular exposure of these people varies widely, some are internationally known while others have more regional or niche recognition.

Other surnames

GuesmanGuessregenGuest