Surname Heiß - Meaning and Origin

Navigating Ancestry with iGENEA: Rediscovering the Deep Roots of Surname Heiß

iGENEA DNA testing has taken me on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, profoundly deepening my understanding of the surname Heiß by delving into the realm of genetics, accuracy, and technical rigor, and establishing a deeper bond with my roots.

O. Heiß

Heiß: What does the surname Heiß mean?

The last name Heiß is a German surname derived from the Latin word “calidus” meaning “hot” or “warm”. It is thought to have originally been used as an occupational name given to those who worked in hot trades or professions, such as bakers, smiths or brewers. Over time, the surname became more common and has also been linked to the German word “heissen” which means “to be called”.

The surname has been around since medieval times in Germany and can be found in a variety of German speaking countries, particularly in parts of Austria and Switzerland. The name is thought to be fairly common and has been found in records dating back to the 16th century.

Today, people who bear the name Heiß may choose to embrace their heritage and ancestry by researching the history of their name, while others choose to follow family traditions and recipes passed down through the generations.

Regardless of how they choose to honour their roots, the surname Heiß continues to be significant part of German culture and carries with it a long and fascinating history.

Heiß: Where does the name Heiß come from?

The last name Heiß is most common in Germany and Austria today. It is a surname derived from the word “heiß” which means "hot" in English. The surname is believed to have derived from a nickname for a person who had a "fiery temper," or from an occupational name for someone with a knack for being a blacksmith. This surname can also be found in small pockets in the United States of America, Canada, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

In Germany, the surname is most prevalent in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where it is the 73rd most common last name. In Bavaria, it is the 17th most common surname and in Baden-Württemberg, it is the 37th. The name is also found in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, with a smaller presence.

In Austria, it is the 40th most common surname, the highest concentration of the name being found in Vienna and Lower Austria. The surname is also found in other Austrian states, such as Upper Austria, Salzburg, Burgenland, and Styria.

In the Netherlands, it is the 846th most common last name. The United States of America reports it as the 27,643rd most common surnames in the 2019 census, with most of the inhabitants of the name being German or Dutch descent. Additionally, it can be found in Brazil and Canada.

Overall, the surname Heiß is quite common world wide, though it is most concentrated in Germany and Austria, the ancestral homelands of the name.

Variations of the surname Heiß

Heiß is a common German surname meaning “hot.” It can be spelled in various ways depending on the individual’s preference. Other spellings of the surname include Heiss, Heyss, Heyssen, Hayse, Heyes, Hayz, Heize, Heise, Heyden, Heydens, Heydan and Heydon.

Surnames with the same origin as Heiß include Herren, Herre, Hersch, Harsch, Habers, Harrer, Haas and Hayz. Many of these names can also be spelled differently as mentioned above.

In English, many of these surnames are spelled slightly differently. For example, Heiß is sometimes spelled Highes or Highs. Hayse is sometimes spelled Hays and Heyes is often spelled Hayes. Heydon may also be spelled Heydon or Hayden.

Other surnames with similar origins include Herrmann, Heise, Heiden, Hefner and Herr. These are not necessarily related to Heiß, but they could have derived from a similar source.

In some cases, all of these surnames may have evolved from similar origins further back in time. Thus, there are numerous surnames with various spellings and origins that are related to the Heiß surname.

Famous people with the name Heiß

• Martina Heiß: an actress most known for her role as a journalist in the German soap opera 'Verbotene Liebe'.
• Yana-Karima Heiß: a German opera singer and vocal coach from Cologne, Germany.
• Michael Heiß: a German actor who has acted in numerous films and television series.
• Mathias Heiß: a composer and author who has written for television, film and theater.
• Ruth Heiß: a dancer, choreographer and television presenter in Germany.
• Frank Heiß: a former professional footballer who played for the German Bundesliga during his career.
• Barbara Heiß: a former German rhythmic gymnast who was a member of the German National Team.
• Lena Heiß: an international model and influencer from Munich, Germany.
• Theresa Heiß: a visual artist and poet who mainly works in the mediums of photography and collage.
• Martin Heiß: a German journalist, TV presenter and author.

Other surnames

Heißenbüttel