Surname Fettweiss - Meaning and Origin

Fettweiss: What does the surname Fettweiss mean?

The last name Fettweiss is believed to derive from the German word "fette", meaning thick or fat, and the word "weiss", meaning white. This suggests that the original bearer could have been someone who was either of a pale or overweight physique, or someone who dealt with fatty substances such as butter or lard.

The name is also believed to be associated with a location in medieval times called 'Betwisch' (which is now known as Wrocław, in Poland) which was situated near a river. This was thought to be an area where fat from animal slaughter would be rendered and sold, which lends credence to the origin of the name.

Other interpretations of the name suggest it could refer to a person who lived near a white stone, or a white fountain, or a brewer of white beer – all equally likely options.

Whichever interpretation of the name is accepted, it has come to symbolize a long and interesting family history. Today, the Fettweiss family is commonly associated with many European countries. This surname is more common in Germany, Austria and Switzerland than it is in other parts of the world, but descendants of the Fettweiss name can now be found in countries all over the world.

Fettweiss: Where does the name Fettweiss come from?

The last name Fettweiss is most commonly found today in Germanspeaking areas in Europe. This includes Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. This is due to a combination of geography and family history. Fettweiss is derived from the German word “fettweisse,” which means “fat white” in English. This indicates that at some point the family likely resided in an area with access to dairy products. This area would have been part of Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic or other regions with a strong historical German-speaking presence.

Fettweiss is most widespread in Germany, where there are more than 20,000 people who share this last name. Austria has more than 6,000, and Switzerland has nearly 1,000. Other countries with large German-speaking populations, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, also have populations of people with the Fettweiss surname.

The Fettweiss family has a rich history, having been documented as far back as the early 15th century in Germany. This suggests that the family may have originated in Germany, and then branched out into other countries. They have a prominent presence in many countries today and are an example of the enduring power of family roots.

Variations of the surname Fettweiss

The surname Fettweiss is thought to have originated primarily from Germany and Austria, though it has also been found in Denmark, Sweden and elsewhere. It is thought to mean 'bold white' or 'fat white'.

The variant, spelling and surnames of the same origin for the surname Fettweiss include Fettweiss, Vetvise, Fettwisk, Fettwisch, Fettvise, Fettvis, Fetwisse, Fettwies, Fettvisse, Fettwis, Fettviss, Fettwiess, Fettweis, Fettwiss, Vetwisse, Fettvissen, Vetviese, Fettwiese, Vetwiese, Fattwiss, Fattwisse and Fetvise. In addition, other spellings for the surname Fettweiss which have been found in place names in Germany and Austria include Fettweise, Fetzwiss, Fettwasser and Fettweser.

The surname Fettweiss can also be found with various surname prefixes, for example, von Fettweiss, zu Fettweiss and de Fettweiss. Variant spellings and other surnames of similar origin for Fettweiss may also be found with various suffixes, such as Fettweisser, Fettweissen and Fettweissmann. In some instances, the surname may be found with double f in the spelling, i.e. Fettevise and Fettvisser. A variation of the name in Denmark is Fettvig.

Famous people with the name Fettweiss

• Siem Fettweiss: Austrian composer and singer-songwriter.
• Joe Fettweiss: Former professional basketball player who was drafted in the second round of the 1983 NBA Draft.
• Tim Fettweiss: Founding member of the Alternative rock band 'Crazy Bandit' from Ohio.
• Hans Fettweiss: Austrian journalist and political scientist.
• Sandra Fettweiss: Award-winning author and scriptwriter.
• Emma Fettweiss: Actress best known for her role as the freckled child in the 1964 movie 'The Pied Piper'.
• Micah Fettweiss: Chess grandmaster from the United States.
• Pete Fettweiss: American record producer, musician, and composer.
• William Fettweiss: British physicist known for his work in electromagnetic theory.
• Carl Fettweiss: German blacksmith and arms-maker who became famous for his production of swords and handguns.

Other surnames

Fettweis