Surname Preyhs - Meaning and Origin
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Preyhs: What does the surname Preyhs mean?
The last name Preyhs is of German origin. It is believed to be derived from the Old Germanic personal name ‘Preyher,’ meaning ‘keeper of the forest.’ This original form of the name likely dates back to the 11th century.
Each family branch that adopted the Preyhs name likely had its own coat of arms and motto. Commonly, Preyhs families would share the same armorial bearings, but the coat of arms could be modified and personalized over many generations. In addition, a unique crest or family motto may have originated with the first family to adopt the Preyhs name.
The phrase ‘Virtus et Scientia’ is commonly associated with the Preyhs name. This phrase stands for ‘Virtue and Knowledge,’ and serves as a reminder to keep striving for higher education and maintain ethical integrity.
Throughout time, the Preyhs name has come to signify a long, rich family history of noble service and honourable conduct. To bear the Preyhs name is to maintain this legacy. The phrase ‘Virtus et Scientia’ is more relevant today than ever before, and holds true for each member of the Preyhs family.
Order DNA origin analysisPreyhs: Where does the name Preyhs come from?
The last name Preyhs is most commonly found today in various countries, including Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States.
In Germany, the name Preyhs is mainly concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony. In Bavaria, the name is most commonly found in Munich and its surrounding areas. The modern German spelling of the surname is Preis, which is a spelling variation of the Germanic personal name Pfriem.
In Sweden, the name Preyhs is primarily found in the region of Scania, particularly Malmö. In fact, a family of the Preyhs surname has lived in this area since the 1600s. The name is derived from the old Norse word prells, which means "shield".
In Denmark, the name Preyhs is most common in the capital city of Copenhagen. The Danish form of the surname is Pryds, likely derived from the Old Norse word prudds, which means "bold".
The Netherlands is also home to many individuals who bear the name Preyhs. The name is Augmentin found concentrated in North Brabant, a province in the southern part of the country. The Dutch form of the surname is either Preis or Preijs.
Finally, the United States has a significant population of Preyhs individuals. The largest concentration is in California, with significant numbers also found in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. The American variant of the name is typically spelled Prais or Preijs.
Variations of the surname Preyhs
The surname Preyhs is a patronymic surname, generally derived from the given name Przemek. It is also sometimes spelled Preys, Prejza, Prześdzięt, Przyjemski and Preysz. These surnames are all derived from Przemek, which is a Polish form of the Latin name Primus, meaning ‘first’, ‘chief’, or ‘standard’.
Preyhs is peculiar in that it is also an occupational name, likely derived from the expression ‘preyhs’, which comes from Czech and Polish and means ‘priest’ or 'clergyman’. It is often spelled with a double ‘h’ to differentiate the two different surnames.
The origin of the surname Preyhs is unclear, though it is commonly found in Poland and the surrounding Kingdoms and surrounding countries. It is believed that the surname originated during the rule of the Prussian Empire in the 16th century, however it can be found in remote regions of Europe before then.
Variations of the surname Preyhs include Preys, Prejza, Prześdzięt, Przyjemski, and Preysz. Though these variations have a common origin, some people with the surname may have Anglicized it through time.
Most of the variations of the surname Preyhs were found in the northern and western areas of Poland, with some variations being found in Romania, Slovakia, and Romania. In some cases, the Przyjemski spelling has also been used in Lithuania and Latvia.
The variation of the surname Preysz is believed to have originated in western Ukraine, and may have originated from a combination of a form of Preyhs and a Uzbek word for ‘lion’ or ‘tiger’.
In its various forms, the surname Preyhs is essentially associated with the Latin version of the name Primus. Consequently, it is not a common surname, with no clear evidence of its origin beyond the 16th century.
Famous people with the name Preyhs
- Colby Preyhs: Canadian professional hockey player
- Thomas Preyhs: German actor
- Julian Preyhs: German musician and TV presenter
- Aad Preyhs: Dutch radio and television presenter
- Chris Preyhs: American actor and comedian
- Rüdiger Preyhs: German painter and sculptor
- Sabrina Preyhs: Swiss actress
- January Preyhs: French fashion model
- Nicolas Preyhs: French racing driver
- Craig Preyhs: English footballer