Surname Voorheis - Meaning and Origin
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Voorheis: What does the surname Voorheis mean?
The surname Voorheis is of Dutch origin. It has been derived from "van Voorhees", an Americanized form of the Dutch surname "van Voorhees", which in turn is an Anglicized variant of the Dutch name 'Van Voorhees'. The name itself is a toponymic one, meaning it is based on a geographical location. The 'Voor' in Voorheis translates to 'from' or 'of' and 'heis' refers to a wooded area. Therefore, 'Voorheis' or 'van Voorhees' can be roughly translated to 'from a wooded area’ or 'of a wooded area'. It indicates the ancestors of the people with this name were likely from such a region in the Netherlands. Keep in mind that the spelling and structure of surnames have often changed over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisVoorheis: Where does the name Voorheis come from?
The last name Voorheis is most commonly found in North America, particularly in Canada and the United States. It is derived from Dutch and is an occupational name for someone who lived near a windmill, or who worked at a windmill.
In the United States, the Voorheis surname is concentrated in the midwestern states, particularly Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. These states have large Dutch populations, some of whose ancestors arrived during the nineteenth century.
Voorheis is also prevalent in Ontario, which attracts many Dutch settlers and visitors. Ontario's diverse demographics and considerable agricultural interest has also become a major draw for the Voorheis family.
In the twenty-first century, the Voorheis family is dispersed throughout the United States and Canada. Ancestry.com lists the name as having the highest concentration of people in the United States in Michigan. It also states that the name is particularly common in the cities of Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Niles, MI. Similarly, the name is most frequent in Ontario, particularly in Toronto and the suburbs to the north of the city.
Today, the Voorheis family can be found in many English-speaking countries including Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as many states across Europe.
Variations of the surname Voorheis
The surname Voorheis has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variations include Varhees, Verhees, Von Heise, Voorhis, Voorhes, Voorheys, Vornheis, Vornhyes and Vorhees. Each of these versions is a variation of the original Voorheis, and often each of the different spellings and surnames trace back to one branch or another of the same Dutch family.
The surname Voorheis is believed to be derived from the Old Dutch words voor, meaning before, and De Heise, which was a surname of Belgian origin. The name was likely taken on by a Dutch migrant family who had some ancestral connection to the Belgian surname.
The surname Voorheis has a long history in Holland and has been found in various other countries that were largely populated by Dutch immigrants. It is most common in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Most commonly, the spelling of the surname is Voorheis and its variants can be found in records of many different countries. It is believed that this surname originated in the country of Holland and spread across a wide geographic area as those of Dutch descent moved to different parts of the world. It is a reminder of the Dutch ancestors who once lived in the Netherlands and the legacy of the Voorheis surname that remains today.
Famous people with the name Voorheis
- Robert Voorhees, an American chemist, physicist, and professor.
- Caitlin Voorhees, an American model, TV actress, and philanthropist.
- Ryan Voorhees, an American actor, musician, and director.
- Dean Voorhees, an American artist and sculptor.
- Frank Voorhees, an American Olympic sailor and author.
- Diane Voorhees, an American artist and author.
- Mark Voorhees, an American entrepreneur and investor.
- Brooke Voorhees, an American singer-songwriter and actress.
- Alexander Voorhees, a Canadian-American film director.
- Kim Voorhees, a Canadian-American actress and film producer.