Surname Weißhans - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Weißhans: What does the surname Weißhans mean?
The surname Weißhans is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “weiss” meaning “white” combined with the suffix “hans”. The surname is believed to have first appeared in the early 13th century. In ancient Germany, people were often identified by their physical appearance, which is why surnames often originated from physical characteristics, including the colour of someone’s hair or skin. It is likely that the original bearer of this name was someone with very pale white skin and/or pale white hair, and it was this trait that made them stand out and gave them their surname.
As the weiss part of the surname suggests, the name is associated with the colour white. Today, the surname is still quite common in Germany, and is often seen in various forms, such as Weishans, Weisshahn or Weisshans. Variations of the name have also been found elsewhere, including Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Europe.
Overall, the surname Weißhans is quite literally a literal description of someone’s physical features, and serves as a reminder of the fact that physical appearances have long been used to identify and distinguish individuals throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisWeißhans: Where does the name Weißhans come from?
The surname Weißhans is mainly common in Europe today. It is thought to have originated in Germany, with the earliest record of the surname being found in the 13th century. This places its origin in the medieval German Empire, where it is believed to have either been adopted as an occupational name or derived from a place-name.
Weißhans is common throughout Germany and its former territories, with many variations in spelling being found in Austria, Bohemia, Denmark, France, Prussia and the Netherlands. It is even possible to find some Austrian records of the surname dating back to the 16th century.
The surname is also found in the United States, due to immigration from Europe since the 17th century. It is most commonly found in states with a history of German immigration, such as Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The majority of these immigrants were from the 19th century, and settled in the Midwest of the United States.
The surname Weißhans is part of the tapestry of European surnames, and today those bearing it come from a variety of countries, all with their own heritage. It is an interesting reminder of the continent’s past, and a testament to the people who have kept it alive.
Variations of the surname Weißhans
The surnames Weißhans, Weisshans, Weishans, Weischans, and Wieshans all have the same origin, and are the different variants of the same surname.
The surname Weißhans is of German origin, and was popularized through German immigrants. The name is derived from the German words 'weiss', which means 'white', and 'hans' which is a diminutive form of 'Johannes', meaning 'John'. Literally translated, Weißhans means 'White John'.
The spelling variation Wieshans is a derivative of Weißhans, and was formed when German immigrants to America anglicized their names to sound more familiar to English speakers. In modern times, Weisshans has become the more popular spelling of the surname, due to it being easier to pronounce in the English language.
Weishans is an Americanized spelling of the German surname, and often arises when the Umlaut (an ü in this case) present in the German spelling is left out for ease of pronunciation and spelling.
The variant Weischans is a more rarely seen spelling of the surname, likely arising when the German 'sh' sound ('sch') is incorporated into the spelling.
No matter what the variant is, the surname Weißhans all originate from the same basic name, 'White John'.
Famous people with the name Weißhans
- Joseph Weißhans: German playwright and screenwriter, known for the films ‘Männertreu’ and ‘Der Diebstahl der gestohlenen Liebe’
- Ernst Samuel Weißhans: German-American philosopher and psychologist, founder of the physicalist school of psychological thought
- Dolores Weißhans: German pop singer and actress, best known for her 1970 hit single ‘Das war nicht alles’
- Wilhelm Weißhans: German journalist and writer, who wrote on politics, culture and literature
- Alfred Weißhans: German lithographer, engraver and printmaker
- Albert Weißhans: German architect, prolific in Vienna, Austria
- Martin Weißhans: German architect and urban planner, credited with paving the way for modern urban planning
- Otto Weißhans: German mime and body language expert
- Jochen Weißhans: German pianist, known for his interpretations of classical music
- Ursula Weißhans: Austrian author and literary scholar, best known for her works on Austrian culture and literature