Surname Liss - Meaning and Origin
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Liss: What does the surname Liss mean?
The last name Liss has Germanic origins, deriving from the Old German "Lissi" which is a diminutive of the name Elizabeth. This name likely came down from individuals who moved through various Germanic language-speaking regions, using the name in each place. The name Elizabeth is in turn derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "My God is an Oath".
Throughout Europe, those with the name Liss may have had various occupations including farming and banking. When the name first originated, it may have been originally used as a nickname for the Biblical figure Elizabeth. Later, it could have been used to identify a specific family or community, as surnames were often created to distinguish people by occupation, physical characteristics, or simply where they were from.
Currently, many families who use the last name Liss are found in the United States, Austria, Germany, and other parts of the world. In some families, the name may have evolved to Lissau, Lisser or Lissner. Liss is also a common surname in areas of the Carpathian Mountains.
No matter where you are from, if you have the surname Liss you are connected to a long line of people experts in many fields and cultures. Your last name could be a symbol of dedication to family bonds, as well as resilience and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisLiss: Where does the name Liss come from?
The last name Liss is of German origin. It can be found scattered throughout the United States, with a noticeable concentration in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions, particularly in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The name is found in other countries, with a generally smaller population of Liss individuals. In Germany, the name is found primarily in the states of Bavaria and Lower Saxony. It can also be found in Austria, France, England, and Israel as well as other parts of Europe.
In the United States, the last name Liss is most common in Pennsylvania where 13,807 Liss individuals live. It has the fifteen-highest number of Liss surnames for any state. Wisconsin follows with 4,618 Liss individuals, Ohio with 3,128 and North Carolina with 2,277. Understandably, these states of focus reflect the extensive German heritage in the region. Outside of the U.S., the last name Liss is most common in Germany, comprising over 24% of those with Liss as their last name. It is followed by the Czech Republic, Austria, France, and The Netherlands.
Liss is a unique surname that was originally derived from an early form of the German name Liss and was generally thought to be a nickname for a person of a strong, proud, or dignified bearing as well as someone who was passionate in his faith. As a result, the last name continues to be found throughout the world today, with concentrations in those areas that have historically had significant German populations.
Variations of the surname Liss
The surname Liss is of Germanic origin and comes from the pre-7th century Olde German given name "Lucas". This name has many variants, spellings, and surnames that all stem from the same source, including "Leese", "Lees", "Leys", "Lewis", and "Lissman".
The spelling of "Liss" is the most commonly seen, although the variant Lissman appears to be the more ancient of the two. The spelling Leese appears to originate from the Dutch region, and the spelling of Leys is a common alternative in northern England. The Lewis variant may have been adopted by those of Welsh ancestry, either as a translation of Lucas, or as a different form altogether.
The variants and alternate spellings of this surname are not always apparent when looking for individuals on genealogy records, as they often appear under different spellings. For example, the surname may appear as Lewis on one record yet as Leys on another. It is important to bear in mind all the potential variants when researching this surname.
The surname Liss is mostly found in the English-speaking world, particularly throughout North America, in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it is also found in Germany, where origins of the name are original. The Lissman variant can be found mainly in the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Liss
- Aaron Liss: American entrepreneur, former CEO of a global gambling company, and current investor.
- Michael Liss: American film producer, who helped to produce several Academy and Golden Globe-winning films.
- Catherine Liss: American singer/songwriter and actress, known for her roles in the films "Skin" and "Rugrats Go Wild".
- Cheyenne Liss: American YouTube star and Instagrammer.
- Robert Liss: American theatre director and actor.
- Felicia Liss: American professional volleyball player.
- Lawrence Liss: American civil rights attorney.
- Stephanie Liss: American news anchor and reporter.
- Jay Liss: American actor, comedian, and writer for television.
- Stefan Liss: German-born American entrepreneur and philanthropist.