Surname Biese - Meaning and Origin
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Biese: What does the surname Biese mean?
The last name Biese is of German origin and is thought to be a toponymic or locational surname meaning “from Biese,” referring to a place named Biese. It could also be a variant of the name Bissen, which itself derives from the German word “besse,” meaning “bite” or “sting.” In some cases, the name could describe a person who was small or timid, or someone who had a sharp wit. It’s possible the name originated with a person or family who were among the earliest settlers of Biese, Germany.
The Biese surname can be found throughout Germany, as well as in areas of Austria, Switzerland and northern France. The name can also be found in the United States, particularly in North Dakota, Wisconsin and South Dakota due to 19th-century German immigration.
Of note, the Biese family held a historical position of nobility in the German Empire. The Biese family held a hereditary position of ‘Freiherr’, which was a title of nobility given to a man by the Emperor. It places the family among the highest social classes in the German Empire.
Order DNA origin analysisBiese: Where does the name Biese come from?
The last name Biese is most commonly found today in Germany and Poland. It has been recorded in Germany since at least the 14th century and some areas of Germany have several distinct branches of the family. Beyond Germany and Poland, the last name Biese can also be found in parts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States.
In Germany, Biese is most prevalent in the states of Bremen and Hamburg. In addition, the surname can be found in other states such as Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Within these states, Biese tends to be concentrated mainly in northwest Germany and some pockets of the south in Bavaria. In Poland, the surname Biese is primarily found in the central West Pomeranian and Lower Silesia regions.
In France, Biese is mainly found in the regions of Alsace, Lorraine, and Champagne-Ardenne while in Belgium it can be found in the Flemish and Walloon regions. In the Netherlands, the last name is most common in the province of Zeeland. In the United States, the surname can be found in many different states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, California, Illinois, and New York.
Overall, the last name Biese has a strong presence in many different countries including Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is likely that individuals of the same family are scattered across these countries as well as countries within Europe and beyond.
Variations of the surname Biese
The surname Biese is derived from the Germanic given name Bero, which can be translated to mean "the bear". It is an occupational surname indicating someone whose profession was related to bears, such as a bear-trainer or tamer, or was simply someone who was associated with bears. Other variants of the surname Biese include Bees, Beese, Biess, Beess, Biesser, Bieße, Bießer, Byse, and Beaser.
In the United States, the Beaser spelling is the most common variant of the Biese surname. However, in England and Germany, the most often seen version is the Biese spelling.
While the First and Second World Wars led to a slight decline in people bearing the Biese surname, the surname is still a common one in Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries with Germanic influence.
One of the most famous people to bear this surname Biese is John Richard Biese, an American soldier who received a Public Service Medal for serving in the Vietnam War.
Since this surname is so common, it can also be seen in a number of other spellings and surnames derived from the same origin. After the Biese surname, the Beirse, Beyer, Beehr, Byer, Ber, Bero, Beor, and Bear surnames are most commonly used. Other, less common spellings of the Biese surname include Beyre, Beser, Bias, Bise, Bieser, and Baese.
Overall, the Biese surname is a wide-spread surname with a variety of spellings and other surnames derived from the same origin, many of which are still used today.
Famous people with the name Biese
- Jim Biese: Actor known for his role in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood.
- Jack Biese: Voice actor for animated movies and video games including Shrek and Jak & Daxter.
- Randy Biese: American voice actor, writer, television and radio producer.
- Barbara Biese: American actress known most notably for her role as Helen on Doctor Who.
- John Biese: Retired Major League Baseball player for the Chicago White Sox and California Angels.
- Peter Biese: Actor known for his appearances in multiple German television series and films.
- Charles Biese: Scientist notable for his work on the field of environmental engineering.
- Ernesto Biese: Professional soccer player for clubs in Chile and Argentina.
- Andrew Biese: Award-winning American writer known for his collection of short stories, Poetry, and novels.
- Roberto Biese: Argentine politician, historian, and economist.