Surname Giess - Meaning and Origin
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Giess: What does the surname Giess mean?
The surname Giess is of German origin and is derived from the word “geiss,” meaning “goat.” This surname was often assumed by someone with the occupation of goat herder, or by someone who lived close to a goat pasture. It was a fairly common name in Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, the name Giess remains a fairly common German surname. Giess is also found in other countries, such as in the United States, particularly among people of German descent.
The German root of the Giess surname is “geiss” meant “goat,” so it can be assumed that the initial holders of the name would have probably been associated with the occupation of goat herding, or may have lived in the proximity of a goat pasture. This is a common derivation for many German surnames. In some cases, people may have adopted the name to signify they were related to or owned a herd of goats.
The Giess family crest typically displays a billy goat, or a similar animal, as its central feature. It is also not uncommon for the crest design to include various symbols of strength. The meaning behind this likely arose from the strong and surprisingly agile animal, the goat. The Giess surname is often thought of when considering the goals and attributes associated with their family history.
Order DNA origin analysisGiess: Where does the name Giess come from?
The surname Giess is most common in Germany, specifically in the Bavarian area. It is also prevalent in other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Czechia, the Netherlands, and France. There is also a presence of the name in North America, with Giess family members having migrated from Germany to the United States and Canada during the 1800s.
In the United States, the prevalence of the Giess surname is highest in Pennsylvania, followed by Texas, Ohio, Illinois, New York, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Minnesota. There are also Giess families in Mexico and South America, but the exact prevalence of the name in those areas is difficult to determine.
The origin of the surname Giess is German, with “geiss” being the root. It is derived from the given name Geisz, which is derived from “Geis” and is a variant of “Geisowitz” or “Geisler” meaning “goat-herder”. The surname is typically found in areas with strong German roots such as eastern Pennsylvania and the Palatinate region of Germany.
Throughout the centuries, the prominence of the Giess name has waxed and waned. It is possible that the surname is less common today than it was a few generations ago, but the Giess name still exists and continues to endure in many parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Giess
The surname Giess has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common are Geiss, Geisser, Geiß, Geißer, Gieß, and Gießer.
The surname Giess is of Anglo-Saxon origin, meaning 'a person who makes barrels or pots.' It is believed that the Giess family first appeared in the county of Somerset, in the south of England, during the early part of the 13th century. The original spelling of the name was Gess, which later evolved into Giess.
Those bearing the Giess surname can also be found in other Anglo-Saxon countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. Variations of the name in these countries include Geiss, Geisser, Geiß, Geißer, Gieß, and Gießer.
In the United States, the spelling Giess is the most common variant, although other variants are occasionally seen. Giess is particularly common in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Iowa.
Variations of the Giess surname can be found in other parts of the world, such as South Africa and Australia, where the family appears to have emigrated from the UK in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname Giess is an important part of Anglo-Saxon history, and its variants and spellings have helped shape the population of many countries. It is a surname that continues to be well-represented in many parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Giess
- Alexander Giess, German physicist and chemist.
- Petra Giess, German philologist and translator.
- Paul Giess, American statistician.
- Wolf Giess, German special forces officer.
- Wayne Giess, American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Johannes Giess, Nazi doctor and SS officer.
- Joseph Giess, American businessman and public figure.
- Patrick Giess, German electronics technician.
- Magnus Giess, German mechanical engineer.
- Wolfgang Giess, German journalist and historian.