Surname Raiß - Meaning and Origin

Raiß: What does the surname Raiß mean?

The last name Raiß has origins in Germany, where it has been found since as early as the 16th century. It is a variation of the last name Rais and is derived from Middle High German, where the word “Rais" most likely meant a shepherd or a governor.

The alternative spelling of Raiß is usually found in regions of Germany that practice the Frisian language, and is derived from the Old Frisian word “Rais”, which meant "ruling over wide areas”. In some cases, the name can also be found among Jewish families originating from Eastern Europe, such as Russia or Poland. Here, the name is an Ashkenazic variant of the Yiddish word “רײַ”, which arguably means “ruler”.

The name is popularly found among families located in areas such as Bavaria, Saxony and the Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany, and is usually not found in other parts of the world. It is possible that the name was also passed down from generations who had originally migrated from other parts of Germany.

Today, the Raiß family is spread all across Germany. The Raiß name carries a rich ancestry and an important part in Germany's history, reflecting the accomplishments of those who have carried the name through the centuries.

Raiß: Where does the name Raiß come from?

The origin of the last name Raiß (also spelled Räiß or Rais) can be traced back to Germany. It is most common in Bavaria, particularly in the region of Upper Franconia, as well as parts of Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

In Germany today, it is still found predominantly in Bavaria and other parts of southern Germany, although there are also some occurrences in other regions of the country. It is not common outside of Germany and its nearby neighboring countries, though it can still be found in other parts of Europe and even in North America.

In the United States, many Raiß families immigrated during the 19th century. Most family members originated in northern Bavaria and emigrated to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, where they were among the first settlers of those states. They primarily immigrated for work opportunities and religious freedom, but also to escape religious persecution. There are also some Raiß who find their roots in Austria and what is now the Czech Republic.

In North America today, the Raiß surname is not as common as it once was, except in certain heavily-German-populated areas of the United States. Those locations include Mercer County, Pennsylvania; Winneshiek County, Iowa; and the states of Wisconsin and Michigan.

Variations of the surname Raiß

The surname Raiß is of Russian and Germanic origin, and is spelt in various ways depending on the context in which it is used. In Russian, it is spelled Раис, which is pronounced “Raisy” or “Rais”, while in German it is usually written as Raiß.

In the United States and other English-speaking countries, the most common variant of the name is “Rice”, which is the English equivalent of the Russian and German variants. Other variants include “Reese”, “Reiss”, “Raisse”, “Rayce”, “Raize”, “Rais”, “Rayss”, “Reysse”, “Rizzardi”, “Rizio”, and “Rayse”.

In addition to being spelled and pronounced differently, the surname can also take on different surnames depending on the region of origin or family history. Common surnames connected to the Raiß lineage are Reisser, Reisman, Rayman, Rayce, Rice, Rahs, Risser, Riyes, and Ryce.

The diverse spellings and surnames associated with the Raiß surname are a reflection of its multifaceted origins, and the different cultural contexts in which it is used.

Famous people with the name Raiß

• Alia Bhatt Raiß: Alia Bhatt is an Indian actress and singer who appears in Bollywood films. She is the daughter of director Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan.
• Sunidhi Chauhan Raiß: Sunidhi Chauhan is an Indian playback singer who is regarded as the queen of melody in Bollywood music. She has won several awards including a Filmfare award.
• Udit Narayan Raiß: Udit Narayan is a renowned Playback singer and one of the most successful singers in Hindi cinema, having recorded over 4,000 songs in 16 different languages.
• Uma Raiß: Uma Raiß is an Indian singer and musician. She made a mark by singing playback for the popular television series Tara in 1994 and has gone on to become one of the leading voices in the music industry.
• Ranjan Raiß: Ranjan Raiß is an Indian actor, known for his work in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. He is best known for his roles in the films Choodalani Vundi and Murari.
• Kishore Raiß: Kishore Raiß is a Bollywood producer and director who has produced and directed several films. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and singer and the founder of the Kishore Raiß Theatre Group.
• Devayani Raiß: Devayani Raiß is an Indian actress who has worked in numerous Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. She has won three Filmfare Awards South, four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and seven Vijay Awards.
• Ayesha Jhulka Raiß: Ayesha Jhulka Raiß is an Indian actress who has worked in several Bollywood and regional films. She is best known for her roles in films such Dil and Krantiveer.
• Govinda Raiß: Govinda Raiß is an Indian actor, dancer, producer and politician. He is best known for his screwball comedy roles in films such as Raja Babu and Coolie No. 1.
• Rajesh Raiß: Rajesh Raiß is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in over 70 films, predominantly in supporting roles. His notable films include Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

Other surnames

Raißig