Surname Maß - Meaning and Origin

Maß: What does the surname Maß mean?

The German surname Maß is derived from the Middle High German word maz, which meant ‘measure,’ or ‘measurement.’ This was a common occupational surname for a person who measured items, such as lengths, weights, and capacities. This would typically include measurements done in trade, usually of materials such as ('Weizenmaß) wheat and other farm produce, or a local tax or toll assessor (Steuermaß). The occupational surname developed in the 13th century in different regions and was found mainly in the Alsace, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg regions.

The surname Maß is a shortened version of a longer German name, such as ‘Maßmann’ or ‘Maßenbach’. It can also be linked to other German names like Masser, Maser, Mass and Messer. It has also been used by non-Jews as a stand-in for the Jewish name ‘Mendelsohn.’

Maß is a common surname used by both Jewish and non-Jewish families. It is also common among families from eastern Europe and Central Europe, such as Slovakia and Poland. The Austrian spelling of the surname is ‘Maß’ and it can also be found as Mas, and Mats. The name has spread to many English-speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Today, the Maß surname is still popular around the world and is associated with a variety of different nationalities. It is often seen on street signs, business signs, and on monikers of people who have adopted it. The name is a testament to the strength and durability of the German language and culture, having stood the test of time throughout Europe.

Maß: Where does the name Maß come from?

The last name Maß is most commonly found in the German speaking regions of central and western Europe, with the highest concentrations found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Today, the name is still quite common in those countries, being the 248th most popular name in Austria, 379th most popular in Germany, and 721st most popular in the Netherlands.

In Germany, the Maß surname originated in the Middle Ages when it was a nickname form of the name “Marx”, which was given to someone who was considered to be tough, determined, and stubborn. It was then used as a nickname for a blacksmith or a member of the class of craftsman. It eventually evolved to “Maß”, which also came to be a very common name in Switzerland.

In other parts of the world, the name is much less common. It doesn't appear to be popular in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, but it can be found in other countries with a German influence, such as Argentina and Brazil.

Given its origins, people with the surname Maß tend to be of Germanic, Swiss, or Austrian descent. It’s also likely to have other cultures mixed in over the centuries, especially if the family is more spread out across the world.

Overall, the surname Maß is still an exceptionally common last name in German speaking countries, although its presence in other parts of the world is limited.

Variations of the surname Maß

Maß is an old German-derived surname, which has a variety of spellings and variants. Commonly used variations are: Mass, Masse, Maas, Maass, Mace, Masser, Maesser, Massey, Massee, Messer, Messner, Möser, Messur, and Masar.

The surname is likely derived from the German word "mass," meaning measure, since it was originally used to refer to a person who was responsible for measuring or inspecting grain, hop, and other products. In any case, it indicates that the original bearer of the name was an honest man and likely skilled and knowledgeable in the science of measurements and standards.

The surname has spread through countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria. The variants of Mass are particularly widespread in countries such as South Africa, the United States, Canada, and Brazil, especially amongst descendents of German immigrants.

The name is also used in the form "von der Maß", which indicates that the original bearer of the name may have had close connections to people of nobility.

For reference, variants of the surname Mass are also likely, such as Maas, Muss or Mussen, Maes or Maase. These variations can be traced back to the Low German region.

Maß is a German-derived surname, which has a variety of spellings and variants, such as Mass, Masse, Maas, Maass, Mace, Masser, Maesser, Massey, Massee, Messer, Messner, Möser, Messur, and Masar, to name a few. It is most commonly used in countries such as South Africa, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria amongst descendents of German immigrants. Beyond this, it is also used in the form "von der Maß", which likely indicates that the original bearer of the name had close connections to people of nobility. Variants of the surname Mass are likely, such as Maas, Muss or Mussen, Maes or Maase, and can be traced back to the Low German region.

Famous people with the name Maß

• Marcel Maß: A former professional football player who played as a midfielder, who most notably played for German team, Alemannia Aachen and American team, Columbus Crew.
• Mark Maß: A German-American soccer player who represented the German national team and played for clubs such as Preußen Münster and Teutonia Watzenborn-Steinberg.
• Jens Maß: A retied German track and field athlete who mostly competed in the javelin throw and was the 1994 European Champion in that event.
• Eiko Maß: A former German skier and biathlete who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics and won a bronze medal in the latter.
• Johannes Maß: A former German nobleman, statesman and diplomat from the House of Württemberg.
• Hugo Maß: A German football midfielder who mainly played for FK Pirmasens and Karlsruher SC.
• Erich Maß: A German chess master who was awarded International Master (IM) title in 1972.
• Max Maß: A German football manager who managed clubs such as Alemannia Bielefeld and Kickers Offenbach.
• Dagmar Maß: A retired German cross-country skier who competed in the 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
• Malte Maß: A German football player who currently plays for Bayern Munich II.
• Tanja Maß: A former German figure skater who is an eight-time German National silver medalist.
• Thorsten Maß: A German sprinter who competes in the 400 metres event.

Other surnames

MaßenMaßmannMaßmeierMaßmeyer