Surname Teiss - Meaning and Origin
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Teiss: What does the surname Teiss mean?
The last name Teiss is derived from the Old German personal name "Tietso," which may be a form of the Germanic male name Dietrich. It is found in modern Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, where it is given as Teiss, Tess, Teis, Tieß, Teisz, and Tiss, respectively. The name is composed of the elements "tio," meaning “people,” and "ric," meaning "power."
Originally, the Teiss family was based in the German states of Bavaria, Hessen, and Thuringia. Later, family members began to emigrate and spread throughout Europe and, eventually, across the world. Today, the Teiss surname has become a global phenomenon, with individuals carrying it in dozens of countries, including the United States.
The Teiss family was traditionally associated with trade and mercantile business. Since the Middle Ages, members of the Teiss family have been entrepreneurs and merchants, trading in everything from grain and timber to weapons, clothing, and food. Today, the Teiss surname carries a sense of hard work and business acumen.
The Teiss family name has also been associated with nobility. Over the centuries, members of the Teiss family have served as military officers, court officials, and merchants. They have contributed to the military, government, and economy in various countries around the world. The Teiss name symbolizes power, influence, and, ultimately, success.
Order DNA origin analysisTeiss: Where does the name Teiss come from?
The surname Teiss is most commonly found in Austria, where it makes up 0.006 percent of the population. It can also be found in Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.
In the United States, the surname Teiss is not very common. While data on this surname is not as detailed in the United States, the Social Security Administration does list it as the 10,272nd most common last name, representing about 0.003 percent of the population.
In Australia, the Teiss surname can be found in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, and even the sparsely populated Northern Territory.
The surname also has several variants, such as Teissl, Teß, Tesses, Tice, and Tesse. Some other uncommon variations include Tess'l, Teys, and Tesser.
Despite its relative rarity, the surname Teiss has a long history and can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Central Europe. The root of this surname is believed to come from the word "teißen," which means to weave or to plait. This likely points to the name's origin as an occupational name for someone who wove or plaited.
Variations of the surname Teiss
The surname Teiss is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Matthias, which is a form of the Hebrew name Mattityah. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Tees, Teisse, Tice, Tejce, Teyce, Tijss, Teys, Tweiss, and Tweis.
The earliest recorded uses of the surname Teiss date to the 16th century, when the spelling Teyce was found in records in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Other forms of the surname can be found in Switzerland, where the spelling Tweiss was most commonly used.
The surname Teiss is also found in Austria and Poland. In Austria, it is commonly found in the form Tijss. In Poland, Teys and Teisse are the most common spellings, although Tweiss can also be found.
Many variations on the surname Teiss have been found in America since the 18th century, when immigrants from Germany and Switzerland came to settle in the United States. Variants on the original spelling have included Tees, Tejce, Teyce, Tice, and Tweiss.
In modern times, the surname Teiss is still found throughout the Germanic countries, as well as in the United States and other parts of the world. It is particularly common in the United States, where it is primarily found in the Midwestern and Eastern states.
Famous people with the name Teiss
- Erik Teiss: an Austrian skier who won two silver medals in the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck.
- Heidemarie Teiss/Heidemarie Steiner: a German-Jewish violinist and the recipient of several prestigious musical awards.
- Clemens Teiss: a German architect, active in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Robert Teiss: a German-born American composer and music educator.
- Julius Teiss: a Swedish sculptor and medalist.
- Avie Tevanian: a scientist and former CTO of Apple Inc.
- Alan Teiss: a television news correspondent and television producer.
- Johann Teiss: an Austrian painter and graphic artist.
- Adam Teiss: a British author and contemporary philosopher.
- Stephan Teiss: a German philosopher, author and university professor.