Surname Leiss - Meaning and Origin
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Leiss: What does the surname Leiss mean?
The last name Leiss (also spelled Lies or Leis) is a German surname derived from the Middle-High German lîs, which means ‘a tribute’ or ‘payment’. This surname was most likely given to someone who had connections to feudalism or was involved in similar types of taxation.
The Leiss surname originated in Germany before the 15th century, and since then, the name has spread to many other countries, primarily through immigration. Today the surname is also common in the United States and Canada.
People bearing the Leiss surname can have different ethnic backgrounds, since it is a surname shared by many Protestant and Catholic European families. But since its origin in Germany, the majority of people bearing the surname are believed to be of German descent. Furthermore, the Leiss surname is also associated with the region of Silesia, which is now in southwestern Poland.
The Leiss surname is generally an uncommon one, and there is limited information available about its worldwide distribution and history. Despite this, the surname is still interesting to genealogists, as it can bring about information about a family’s ancestry. Furthermore, the translation of the name ‘payment’ can also signify an interesting connection to someone’s ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisLeiss: Where does the name Leiss come from?
The surname Leiss is quite uncommon, and largely confined to a small region in the southern part of Germany, where its origin is believed to lie. Specifically, it is believed to trace back to a small area of Bavaria, located in the lower foothills of the Bavarian Alps. It is likely that many Leisss in Germany today have direct ancestral ties to this area.
The surname is a bit less common in the United States, where many immigrants of German descent brought the surname with them as they settled in areas such as Texas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It is possible that many of the Leisss in the United States are distantly related; however, due to the wide geographic span of immigrant origins, it is impossible to say for certain.
The rareness of the surname has also spread beyond Germany and the United States – Leiss families can be found scattered around the world, including Canada, France, and Australia. It is likely that all of these families are related in some way; however, the degree of relatedness is impossible to ascertain. In short, the Leiss surname is mainly confined to Germany, but a few Leiss families can be found scattered around the world, all with likely ties to Bavaria.
Variations of the surname Leiss
Leiss is a surname of German-Swiss origin. It is derived from the name "leiß" which means "capable." Variations include Leyss, Liess, Lees, Liss, Lais, and Lies.
The earliest recorded instance of this surname is of Felix Leyss, who lived in Wanderwitz, Germany in 1340. Other early prominent figures include Johann Melchior Leys of the Rhineland, and Leonhard Liess, a legislator in Freiburg in 1625.
In modern times, Leiss is an uncommon surname outside of Germany and Switzerland. In Germany, the largest concentration of people with the Leiss surname is in the western states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Wurttemberg.
In the United States, the spelling Liess is more common than Leiss. Approximately 3,000 people in the US had this name as of the 2000 Census, concentrated mainly in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California.
The variant Leyss is primarily found in the United States in states such as Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, and Iowa. The spelling Liss is the most common variation in the Netherlands and Sweden. The spelling Lais is mainly found in France, while Ließ is more common in Austria.
In some parts of the world, this surname is even more uncommon for different reasons. In Jewish culture, immigrants with the surname LES changed the spelling to LEISS to avoid anti-semitism in some areas.
Overall, the surname Leiss has many variations, spellings, and styles around the world. It is possible that the same family may spell their last name in a multitude of ways, depending on the country they live in.
Famous people with the name Leiss
- Therese Leiss: Opera Singer, mezzo-soprano
- William Leiss: Professor Emeritus in Applied Studies at Trent University, researcher and consultant in the field of risk assessment and risk management
- Wilbur Leiss: Canadian former professional ice hockey player
- Richard Leiss: Head Football Coach at Brentwood High School
- Heribert Leiss: German composer
- Dick Leiss: American professional golfer
- D. J. Leiss: American professional snowboarder
- Barbara Leiss: American actress
- Cornelius Leiss: German architect
- Joachim Leiss: German sculptor