Surname Kanis - Meaning and Origin

Kanis: What does the surname Kanis mean?

The last name Kanis is of German origin and is believed to come from the Middle German word “kanése”, which means “cane” or “reed”. It is also believed to be related to the Latin word “cannes”, also meaning cane. The name is believed to have originally referred to someone who grew or harvested these plants.

Though the origin is unclear, the name is thought to have originally been bestowed as an occupational name for farmers or fishermen who used reeds or canes in their work, such as harvesting, fishing, or weaving. Alternatively, the name could have been an aristocratic or noble name given to people connected to a certain manor or house at some time.

The Kanis surname is fairly uncommon today, with most bearers of the name found in Germany and countries closeby. Variations of the name are Kanes, Kaans, and Kaneis.

Today, those who bear the Kanis surname maintain a strong sense of culture and history, with many taking pride in sharing their last name. Furthermore, bearers of the name often share a strong bond and a commitment to preserving their heritage.

Kanis: Where does the name Kanis come from?

The last name Kanis is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in the countries of Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Denmark. In Germany, the name can be traced back to northern Germany where it is derived from a region known as Schleswig-Holstein. The Kanis surname is also common in the United States among people of German or Dutch ancestry.

The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but some experts believe it is derived from a personal name of Slavic origin such as "Kano," which is believed to mean "God's Champion" or "God's Warrior." Other theories suggest that it is an altered spelling of the German name "Kanter," which means "potter," or that it may be derived from the Old High German word "kanz," meaning "a channel or straight line of water."

The surname has numerous variant spellings, some of which include Kannis, Kanes, Companis, Ganis, and Kanizewski. Today, the last name is most commonly associated with Poland and Germany, but it can also be found in other countries such as England, France, and parts of the United States.

Variations of the surname Kanis

The surname Kanis is most likely derived from either the Greek, Slavic, or Armenian word for ‘smith’ or ‘metalworker’. As a result, it is not uncommon to find variants and spellings of the name in various regions.

In Greece, variations of the name include Kannis, Cannis, Canonis, Kani, Kano, and Kanaki. All of these names are considered to be variants of the same Greek slang, according to historical records.

In Europe, where many immigrants from Greece and other countries bearing the surname Kanis settled, the name has taken on different spellings. The surname is also commonly found in Austria, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Russia as Kanis, Kanes, Kanesa, Kantti, Kanits, Kankes, Kankis, Kanke, Kanki, and Kanik (respectively). Some regions even have several different spellings, depending on the area of dialect the family settled in - for example, in Austria, Kanis can also be spelled Kannes, Kannus, Kaunis, and Kaniss.

In the United States, the surname Kanis has become a particularly prevalent name. Commonly, the name is spelled as Kanis, as it is in much of Europe. However, some Americans will also spell the name as Kanes, Cane, Cahn, and Canes.

In other parts of the world, the surname has been adopted to fit regional langues and spellings of similar words, such as Kany, Hanlos, Khannis, Kanko, and Kanyak.

Overall, the surname Kanis is quite varied and is found in many different spellings and locations around the globe.

Famous people with the name Kanis

• Fabian Kanis: Dutch professional cyclist
• Ulla Kanis: Finnish author and illustrator
• Elizabeth Kanis: American film and television actress
• Mickel Kanis: Belgian hurdler
• Bill Kanis: American software CEO and philanthropist
• Allen Kanis: Canadian songwriter and record producer
• Izzy Kanis: American football wide receiver
• Kirsten Kanis: Danish international handball player
• John Kanis: American architectural sculptor
• Wayne Kanis: Australian football player

Other surnames

KanimirKaniß