Surname Spiess - Meaning and Origin
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N. Spiess
read moreSpiess: What does the surname Spiess mean?
The last name Spiess is an ancient German name that is derived from the word “spisser” which means “one who lives by a river”. Historically, the name was used to refer to families that originally lived in and around river valleys in Germany. The name could be found in medieval documents as well as in the Middle Ages.
In more modern times, the last name Spiess has become a common one, especially in the United States, where it is often seen to be linked to immigrants who came from Germany. The meaning of the name has remained unchanged from its original meaning, referring to someone who originally lived near or worked near a river.
In Germany today, the last name Spiess is still in use. It is found in the phone books, church records, and even in birth and marriage certificates. Many people have kept their ancestral name as a way to honor their family’s past.
The last name Spiess is also seen in Jewish communities, where it has been associated with the Speiser family that arrived in the late 19th century from Russia and Germany. The Speiser family became prominent in banking and business industries, and some members of this family use the last name Spiess.
The last name Spiess continues to be found in ancestral records all over the world. It is linked to families that have a long history and connection to Germany, and many modern descendants still honor their ancestors by using the name. It is a reminder of the past and a representation of the family’s name and its place in history.
Order DNA origin analysisSpiess: Where does the name Spiess come from?
The last name Spiess is most common in Germany today. The area around Frankfurt is known to be the most concentrated region with persons named Spiess.
The history of the last name Spiess dates back to at least the 1500s in Germany. It is believed to be of Germanic origin and derived from the word “spiss” which means sharp point or blade. The most common meaning of the name is derived from its association with metal working.
The surname Spiess has spread all across the world due to migration and immigration, especially from German speaking countries around the turn of the 19th century. For example, the United States saw a significant influx of Spiess from Germany in the late 1800s.
Aside from Germany, the last name is also fairly common in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the United Kingdom. There is also a strong concentration of people with the last name in Central and South America, especially Brazil and Argentina, due to the prevalence of German immigration to the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Overall, the last name Spiess is still quite common in German speaking countries; with some immigration, it is also found in several other parts of around the world.
Variations of the surname Spiess
Spiess is a surname with a few variants, spellings, and potential alternate surnames. The most common and accepted spelling is Spiess though slight variations include Spiess, Spyss, Spiesser, and Spiesser. Other potential alternate surnames include Spies, Spier, Spiers, and Speer.
There are also variations of the spelling of the surname Spiess due to the given language and culture of the family. The spelling of Spiess in both American and English differs from the German and Dutch versions. The spelling variations may include Speiss, Speiss, Spiesser, Speiser, Speess, Spees, Speise, Spieser, Spyss, Speece, or Spies.
Despite different spelling variations, the origin of the surname Spiess is still believed to be of German and Dutch descent. It is derived from the word “Spies”, which comes from the Old German word “spîssa”, meaning “helper” or “one that assists”. This suggests that the original spelling of “Spîssa” became “Spiess” over time.
The surname Spiess is relatively common, and it’s been adopted by numerous families in America and Europe. It’s believed to have first arrived in Europe and America during the 19th century, during the wave of German and Dutch immigration.
Overall, Spiess is a German and Dutch surname of uncertain meaning, with various spellings and alternate surnames depending on regional location and language. Despite spelling variations, it is believed to have originated from the Old German word “spîssa”.
Famous people with the name Spiess
- Liz Spiess: a former sports reporter for FOX Sports North.
- Kris Spiess: a professional bass guitarist and songwriter based in Atlanta.
- Maurice Spiess: a Swiss lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Swiss Council of States from 1946 to 1973.
- Franz Spiess: a German pathologist and zoologist from Würzburg.
- Erasmus von Spiessen: a German-born Belgian painter of the Baroque period.
- Tito Spiess: an Argentinian-born musician and composer.
- Eduard Spiess: a German mathematician and physicist who was the chair of theoretical physics at the University of Frankfurt from 1924-1947.
- Robert Spiess: a zoologist who worked on the anatomy and classification of sponges.
- Georg Spiess: a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
- Ernst Spiess: a German physicist and engineer at the University of Cologne.