Surname Saß - Meaning and Origin
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The iGENEA DNA kit was easy to use, and the anticipation of receiving my results was palpable. Poring over the intricate data of my Saß heritage, I soon realized that my family tapestry was far more diverse than I'd ever imagined
When I embarked on this journey with the iGENEA DNA test, I was prepared for a whirlwind of genealogical discoveries, but not the variety of surprises that the test held for me. Far from the familiar German roots I expected, my Saß heritage threw a curveball, unveiling a tapestry of diverse lineages that herald from different parts of the world, challenging my understanding of my family's past and the roots of my surname.
J. Saß
read moreSaß: What does the surname Saß mean?
The last name Saß is of German origin. In German, the literal meaning of Saß is "at the Saxon court." It is believed that the Saß surname is derived from the medieval royal court of Saxony. The court of Saxony was home to prominent figures such as Emperor Otto II. This suggests that individuals with the Saß name were prominent in the judiciary or administrative structure of the region.
The most common coat of arms associated with the Saß family is a shield divided into six parts. The top three are silver, while the bottom three are black. In the center of the shield is a red eagle, with outstretched wings. This is a typically-used symbol that symbolized devotion and courage.
Although the exact etymology of the name Saß is unclear, it may have originated from a personal or occupational name derived from the Old Saxon saht, a variant of sahta meaning "judge." This suggests that individuals with the Saß name may have played an integral role in the royal court of Saxony.
During the 18th century, the Saß family expanded throughout the German-speaking world including Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. Some Saß families later emigrated to the United States and settled in various cities.
Today, the Last Name Saß is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The surname is a proud part of German heritage and carries with it a sense of honor and prestige.
Order DNA origin analysisSaß: Where does the name Saß come from?
The last name Saß is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe. It is mainly prevalent in Germany, but there are also significant numbers of Saß families living in Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
The origin of the surname Saß is somewhat uncertain, but it is thought to be derived from the word ‘saß’ or ‘sass’, which means a man of strength or courage. It has also been suggested that it may have derived from the word ‘Sacht’, which is another word for a strong or brave man.
The use of Saß as a surname appears in written records of the 16th century and has been active in German-speaking regions ever since. It is possible that the surname was used as a result of the many wars which plagued the region during the early modern period and required men of strength and bravery to successfully defend their homes.
Today, as of the start of 2020, German phonebook records indicate that the vast majority of Saß families still reside in Germany, with the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) having the greatest concentration in Europe. In the North Rhine-Westphalia region of the FRG alone over 500 families with the surname Saß can be found.
In Switzerland there are currently just over 30 recorded families with the surname Saß, whilst fewer still can be found in Austria and the Czech Republic. Despite its sparse regional distribution it is likely that the surname Saß will remain prevalent, as its meaning and cultural importance is still valued in the region.
Variations of the surname Saß
The surname Saß is an occupational Germanic surname which originated from the Middle High German word 'Saz' or 'Sazze' which meant 'porter'. Historically it referred to someone who carried goods or ferried people over water. Variations of this surname include Saz, Saas, Sasse, Sass, Saza, Saaz, Sazsa, Sazse, and Sassen.
The surname originates or was largely present in regions such as Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Denmark. As a result, many of the variants of the surname Saß have different spellings while still being of the same origin. So while the German spellings are usually Sass, Saas, and Sasse, the Dutch spellings are Saz, Saaz, Sazsa, and Sazze.
The surname Saß can also be found in Dutch versions of the bible and is used as a patronymic surname. Most versions in the bible use the Dutch spelling, such as Josias Saaz. It can also be found as a Dutch Jewish surname as a result of their archaeological records before the holocaust.
From a linguistic perspective, the surname Saß can also be found in other languages as well, with variants such as the Swedish surname Saas, the Dutch surname Saz, the German surname Sasse, and the Lithuanian surname Saasa.
Overall, the surname Saß, and its many variants, all ultimately trace their origin back to the same Middle High German word. Whatever the spelling, the meaning and origin of the surname remains the same; as derived from the porter that carried goods and ferried people over water.
Famous people with the name Saß
- Ursula von der Leyen: German politician and the first female President of the European Commission
- Erich Saß: German actor
- Adolf Saß: German politician and businessman
- Markus Saß: German film producer
- Thomas Saß: German great-grandson of Ludwig Saß and long-distance runner
- Philip Saß: German politician
- Konrad Saß: German politician
- Carl Saß: German composer
- Fritz Saß: German diplomat
- Charlotte Saß: German fashion designer and entrepreneur