Surname Riez - Meaning and Origin
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Riez: What does the surname Riez mean?
The last name Riez is of French origin. However, the specific meaning of the surname Riez is not definitively known. It may be derived from a place name since there's a commune named Riez in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France. As with many surnames, it could have been a name taken by families who originated from that area. Some surnames are related to professions, topographies, or personal characteristics, but if Riez was derived in this manner the specific meaning has been lost over time. In modern French, "riez" is the second person plural command form of the verb "rire," meaning "to laugh". However, it's not clear if this has any connection to the surname's origin. As is often the case with surnames, a definitive meaning and origin can sometimes be difficult to identify due to historical language changes and migration.
Order DNA origin analysisRiez: Where does the name Riez come from?
The last name Riez is most commonly found in France and other areas of French influence. Within France, it is mostly concentrated in the eastern and central regions, particularly in Lorraine, Loire-Atlantique, Languedoc-Roussillon, Centre-Val de Loire, and Ile-de-France. It is also found in the French-speaking areas of Belgium, particularly in Wallonia and the French-speaking cantons of Switzerland, especially in Geneva.
Outside of French-speaking areas, the last name Riez can be found occasionally in countries and regions such as Germany, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Austria. It is more likely to be encountered in areas with a strong French-speaking population or those that have experienced French colonization in the past.
In the United States, the last name is rare but can be found in Louisiana, home of the major French-influenced city of New Orleans. Louisiana is the only US state that has historically been colonized by France, and thus, the name Riez is more likely to appear there.
In Brazil, which has historically had a strong French influence, the surname Riez is found mainly in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The city itself was originally a Portuguese and Spanish stronghold and later a Portuguese and African trading post. As a result, it has strong French influences, especially in its culture and language, stemming from its trading partnership with France.
The last name Riez is also common throughout Canada, particularly in the French-speaking province of Quebec. The Name Canada itself was derived from a Native American term meaning “big village”, a fitting testament to the country’s diverse cultural backgrounds. French Canadians are no exception, and the presence of the name Riez in Quebec is an indication of its strong French heritage.
Variations of the surname Riez
Riez is an uncommon last name of French origin. It is derived from the Latin name “Rius” and has several variant spellings.
The most common variant spelling of Riez is “Reez”, which is found in England, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands. Another variant spelling is “Riaz”, which is found mainly in Turkey, the Middle East and Africa. Still other variant spellings of Riez are “Reis”, “Reiss” or “Reize”.
Another surname of the same origin as Riez is “Rice”, which is generally found in the English-speaking countries of the United States, Australia and Canada. The surname Rice is derived from the same Latin root as Riez, “Rius”.
Both Riez and Rice have several other variants, including “Riecke” or “Riecken”, “Rices”, “Rieck’s”, and “Riches”. These variants are generally found in Europe, particularly in Germany and France.
Another surname of the same origin as Riez is “Riaz”, found mainly in the Middle East and North Africa. A variant of Riaz is “Riazuddin”, found mainly in South Asia.
Lastly, there is the surname “Reese”, which is derived from the same Latin root as Riez and Rice. “Reese” is mainly found in the United States and is often used as an anglicised version of the surname Riez.
In conclusion, the surname Riez has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Reeze, Riaz, Rice, Riecke, Riecken, Rices, Rieck’s, Riches, Riazuddin, and Reese.
Famous people with the name Riez
- Markus Riez: Markus Riez is the Head of German Channels at Netflix. He joined the company in 2015 and was one of the key players in launching the streaming service in Germany.
- Renée Riez: Renée Riez is a French actress best known for her roles in movies such as "Val x Love”, "Lilas et le riccochet" and "Stolen Oreo".
- Matthias Riez: Matthias Riez is a Swiss footballer who currently plays for FC Basel. He is known for his versatility and athleticism.
- Emilie Riez: Emilie Riez is a French singer-songwriter. She first rose to fame as a contestant on TV show "The Voice Belgique" in 2018 and has since gone on to perform at big festivals including "The Great Escape Festival" and "Les Nuits Botaniques".
- Raoul Riez: Raoul Riez is a Dominican Republic producer, actor, and director. He is most known for his work in "Canoa Habanera", "La Virgen de los Sicarios" and "Cristo Rey".
- Yelena Riez: Yelena Riez is an American ice dancer and choreographer. She is best known for her work as assistant choreographer for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
- Paula Riez: Paula Riez is an Argentine novelist and poet. She is most well-known for her novel "Susanna, Telle une Pluie", which won the prestigious National Prize for Fiction.
- Christopher Riez: Christopher Riez is an American actor. He is most well-known for his roles in the TV series "East Los High" and "Switched at Birth".
- Johann Riez: Johann Riez was a German politician and academic. He served as a member of parliament and also founded the "Centre for Higher Education Studies and Research" in 1985.
- Joseph Riez: Joseph Riez was a French painter and illustrator. He is best known for his work depicting nature scenes and landscapes in watercolour.