Surname Foß - Meaning and Origin
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Foß: What does the surname Foß mean?
The last name Foß is a German surname meaning “fox”. It is derived from the Middle High German word "vos" meaning “fox.”
This surname has historic and geographical origins that provide further insight into its meaning. The name was most likely originally introduced to Eastern Germany in the Middle Ages and eventually spread to Western and Northern parts of the country. It may have originated in a region rich in foxes, or may have been connected to a specific family’s occupation, which could have revolved around hunting or tanning fox pelts. It could also have been used to refer to someone who was cunning like a fox.
The name “Foß” is fairly common in the German-speaking region; however, it is rare outside of this area. In Germany, there are several variants of this surname. These alternate spellings include Fosch, Fosse, Vorsteher, Vos, Voss, Fössler, and Vorst.
For those interested in exploring their ancestors, the records of the Central Bureau of Genealogy in Germany can be consulted. These records contain complete histories of German families, which are searchable by region, surname, and other records such as military records.
Ultimately, Foß is a German surname that has origins in Middle High German and geographic roots tied to Eastern Germany. It serves as a reminder of individuals’ past and may represent a specific occupation or describe one’s character.
Order DNA origin analysisFoß: Where does the name Foß come from?
The last name Foß is primarily common in Germany, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country. This name is derived from the German surname Fuchs or Fox, which is a common surname throughout Europe. It is likely that the original bearer of the name had fox-like red hair, which was changed to Foß over time. Today, Foß is one of the more common German surnames, ranking in the top 300 surnames for Germany.
Outside of Germany, Foß is still occasionally seen in parts of Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Denmark as well as a few other European countries. In the United States, Foß is a moderately common American surname that is most commonly found in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the country. It can also sometimes be found in Canada and some Latin American countries including Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
The spelling of Foß can also still occasionally be found in various locations throughout Europe, mostly in small villages and towns where it has been passed down through the generations. In some cases, the name may even be found farther afield in places like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa under different spellings.
Variations of the surname Foß
The surname Foß is of German origin, and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be classified into two groups:
1. Umlauted variants:
The first group comprises of variants with Umlauts. Umlauts are two dots on top of some letters in the German alphabet, which can change the pronunciation and spelling of a word. The variants of the surname Foß with Umlauts are: Föß, Főß, Fôß, Föss, Főss, and Fôss.
2. Non-Umlauted variants:
The second group of variants and spellings of the surname Foß are those without Umlauts. These variants are: Fuss, Fuss, Foess, Fuess, Fuhs, and Fuhss.
Surnames of the same origin as Foß include Fas, Fass, Fasse, and Foas. In some cases, it is also shortened to Fos or Fou.
In some cases, the surname Foß may also be mixed up with Fosse, Foss, Fos, Fossa, Fossey, and Faucette. It is not the same surname, but these are all derivatives of other German surnames with similar meanings.
In summary, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Foß are Föß, Főß, Fôß, Föss, Főss, Fôss, Fuss, Fuß, Foess, Fuess, Fuhs, Fuhss, Fas, Fass, Fasse, Foas, Fos, and Fou.
Famous people with the name Foß
- Brooke Foß: Actor, known for her roles in CSI: Cyber, The Game Plan, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
- Karl Foß: prominent 19th century German politician and writer in the Young Germany movement.
- Lina Foß: German concert pianist and granddaughter of composer Robert Schumann.
- Rebecca Foß: founder of the OpenForum Academy, a German organization which advocates for political and economic reforms in the European and world spheres.
- August Foß: German inventor in the fields of photography and cinematography who developed an early motion picture projection system for theaters.
- Herman Foß: German landscape architect who designed parks and gardens in Berlin and Hamburg.
- Wilhelm Foß: Late 19th century German organbuilder who built organs in many of the significant German churches of his time.
- Robert Foß: German cinematographer and camera operator who often worked with director Ernst Lubitsch.
- Tory Foß: contemporary artist known for her painting and sculpting.
- Carl Foß: German art dealer, art collector and gallery owner who active during the post-World War II era.