Surname Weiß - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Weiß: What does the surname Weiß mean?
The surname Weiß is a Germanic one, derived from the word "weiss" which means "white" in English. It is thought to have originally come from an ancestor who had white hair or whose physical complexion was notably pale. Over time, the surname was likely adopted by more people as a descriptive label of their individual characteristics. Alternatively, it could have just been an adopted name which served as an identifier or as a way of distinguishing families ethinic background.
The Weiß surname can be found throughout several European countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also commonly seen as Vise or Vysse in the Netherlands, or Weisz in Hungary. It is uncertain exactly how the surname spread throughout these countries but it is likely that it was through various migrations including those during the Reformation period or due to other significant historical events.
The character and reputation of a person who holds the Weiß surname may vary, but it can generally describe a person who is loyal, stead-fast and reliable due to the hardworking ways of their ancestors. In some cases, the surname may also be linked to a person who has a wider outlook and greater appreciation for things which are unusual or different.
Ultimately, the true meaning of the surname Weiß can only be understood through the individual who leads it; None the less, it implies a persistent and tolerant character which reaches far beyond the initial physical attributes it may have originally been associated with.
Order DNA origin analysisWeiß: Where does the name Weiß come from?
The last name Weiß (pronounced Vyce in German) is most prominently found in German-speaking countries, primarily Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, Weiß is the 24th most popular surname, and in Austria it ranks 11th. In Switzerland, it is the 32nd most common surname.
It is also found in other Central and Eastern European countries such as Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, it can also be found in North America, especially in major cities such as New York City.
Naturally, the last name has taken on various spellings to correspond with different regional dialects. For instance, it is spelled Weisz in Hungarian and Weiss in Polish and Czech.
According to the genealogy website MyHeritage, Weiß is an occupational surname that has the meaning "white," referring to a person who worked as a dyer or a bleacher of fabric, or someone who sold white goods.
Hoever, some sources state that the name may be derived from the Middle High German term "wīzen," meaning "leader," which may point to a possible originator of the name.
Today, there are many prominent people with the last name Weiß, primarily in Germany. For example, Hans-Jörg Weiß (born 1965) is a German rower and Olympic gold medalist, Gerald Weiß (born 1962) is an Austrian artist and sculptor, and Peter Weiß (born 1942) is a famed German playwright.
Variations of the surname Weiß
The surname Weiß is a German originated name, translating directly to “white.” It is an occupational name, derived from a job or trade title, and was most likely given to persons who were a part of the white-dying industry during the Medieval Period.
The surname can appear in various variants, spellings, and additional surnames depending on the language and country. In German, Weiß can take many different spellings such as: Wais, Vise, Weisse, Weisz, Weiss, Weis, Weis, Weise, Vaisse, Vayes, Vayce, Vase, Vais, Vaise, Waise, Weyse, Wice, and Wis.
In other languages, different spellings can also appear: Vais (Yiddish), Wajs (Polish), Wiess (French/Dutch)weise (Scandinavian languages), Vays (Russian), and Vajsz (Hungarian).
In addition, there are surnames that are related to the Weiß family but with slight changes in spellings. This includes Waiss, Waise, Vaisse, Vaißl, Weisikowski, Weiszler, Vaisberg, Weisman, Weismane, Weisinger, Weiske, Vaisser, Weissegger, Weiskirch, Vaisman, Vaisserand, Weissbock, Weisser, Weiskopf, and Vernon.
Although the surname Weiß originated in Germany, it was also used in other Eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Russia. People with this surname who live in the United States can be found in large numbers, most likely as a result of mass emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Famous people with the name Weiß
- Marco Weiß, German football player
- Thomas Weiß, German actor
- Julia Weiß, German Cook, TV host and author
- Kathrin Weiß, Austrian actor
- David Weiß, German football player
- Raphael Weiß, German singer
- Dieter Weiß, German alpine skier
- Franz Weiß, German painter
- Antonia Weiß, German curler
- Aflred Weiß, Austrian musician and composer