Surname Voress - Meaning and Origin

Voress: What does the surname Voress mean?

The last name Voress does not have a commonly recognized meaning in popular name-reference sources. It is likely of European origin, perhaps from countries such as Belgium, France, or Germany, given the phonetic similarities to surnames from these regions. Voress might be a variant of another surname, morphed over time due to shifts in language, culture, or geography. As is the case with many surnames, it could possibly refer to a geographical location, an occupation, or a characteristic of an ancestor. However, without specific historical and etymological data, the precise meaning of the surname Voress remains unconfirmed. Performing a detailed genealogical study or a comprehensive research on surname history could provide more information regarding the origin and meaning of the Voress surname.

Voress: Where does the name Voress come from?

The last name Voress is common in the United States, particularly in the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. It is also found in greater concentrations in some parts of Canada, particularly British Columbia and Ontario.

Voress is thought to have originated as a Germanic surname, meaning "of the people of the island". It is likely that the family originated in an area near a lake or island. Alternatively, some sources believe the name may have originated from an old Gaelic word, meaning "sea-dweller".

In the United States, the surname has been carried to the Midwest, particularly in the Midwest region of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. In the 1930 census, data shows that the highest numbers of Voress families were located in Ohio and Indiana, while Michigan followed in third place with slightly fewer families. Today, the surname is still prominent in these three states, alongside a smaller but growing presence in other states.

In Canada, it is thought that the first Voress family arrived in the late 1700s, in what is now known as British Columbia. Since then, the surname has grown in popularity in that province and in Ontario, with many families still living in the region today.

Overall, the Voress surname is still quite common across the United States and Canada. It is likely that anyone with this surname likely has ancestors from the Germanic speaking regions of Europe.

Variations of the surname Voress

Variations of the surname Voress can include Vores, Voress, Voresss, and Vorress. These spellings have likely come about due to changes in pronunciation across regions and countries. In some cases, the double s is an indication of a different origin or language, in this case Greek.

Voress is also a surname found in France and Germany. Variants spelling include Vorez, Voresz, and Vorers. Variations found in Italy include Vorusso, Vorussoo, Voriso, Vori, and Vorisi, while in Spain, the surname is spelled Voressi.

In addition, some families may be using the shortened surnames, Vores and Voress. This could be favored by transnational families, who are opting out of the more complex spelling of the surname.

Variants of the Voress surname can also be found around the globe, in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. Spellings in these countries may include Vores, Vorez, Voris, and Vorrass.

Surnames of similar origin to Voress include Vors, Vorrs, Voraes, Voreas, and Vorrss. These surnames may be found in countries of Greek origins, as well as regions in which Greek is spoken, even in diaspora.

In some cases, the surname may have been altered due to immigration policies. For example, Voress may have evolved from Voires when the family immigrated, due to the strict laws around sounding “too foreign” when entering certain countries.

Overall, the surname Voress has many spellings and variants that could be found in countries all around the world.

Famous people with the name Voress

• Charles Voress: an American lawyer and politician from Ohio.
• Betty Voress: an American author and illustrator, best known for writing It's a Good Thing There Are Insects.
• Leo Voress: an American businessman and entrepreneur.
• Amy Voress: an American singer-songwriter and musician.
• Henry Voress: an American politician and former member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
• George Voress: an American brigadier general, political leader and a member of the Ohio Senate.
• Anne Voress: an American sculptor and painter.
• Adam Voress: an American musician and founding member of the indie band, Maps & Atlases.
• Lynda Voress: an American academic, lecturer, guidance counselor and an instructor in the psychology department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Paul Voress: an American archaeologist and director of The Wright Middle Eastern Institute: a research organization dedicated to the study of Middle Eastern cultures.

Other surnames

Vores