Surname Wies - Meaning and Origin
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Wies: What does the surname Wies mean?
The last name Wies is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "wis," meaning meadow. The Wies surname is believed to have originally been derived by individuals who lived in or near meadows. This type of surname was a common way to refer to people during the Middle Ages.
The surname Wies is found in many countries throughout Europe, including Germany, Poland, Austria and the Netherlands. In Germany, it is a popular last name, with roughly 10,000 people bearing the name. The variation of Wiese is found in the Netherlands, and is mostly concentrated around the Oost-Groningen region. The Wieszczek variation is more predominant in Poland.
In the United States, the surname Wies is recorded in US Census records beginning in the mid-1800s, which could indicate that the name arrived on US shores during the period of German immigration. Today, Wies is quite common in the United States, with approximately 8,000 people bearing the name.
Overall, the surname Wies is a reflection of the varied migratory pathways of the German people over many centuries. Through the passage of time, the surname has come to represent a German heritage of living in or near meadows and has helped shape the history of many modern-day countries.
Order DNA origin analysisWies: Where does the name Wies come from?
The last name Wies is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, especially Germany and Austria. It is thought to be derived from a Middle-High German term meaning "plain," and thus it is likely that it was given to individuals who lived in an open, plain-like area. The name is also present in Czech, Polish, American, and other German-speaking countries.
In the United States, the surname is especially prominent in New York, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Wisconsin, though it can be found in many other states as well. Today, many Wies family members reside throughout Germany. In fact, a large number of them come from near Cologne, Germany.
In Austria, many Wies descendants are found in Vienna and in the city of Salzburg. Today, the last name Wies is quite common in the German-speaking regions. This is due to the emigration of German-speaking Austrians to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries and to the fact that, in many countries, it is a relatively popular last name. For example, Austria has the tenth-highest number of Wies family members per capita, with an estimated 6.8 thousand Wieses living there.
Given its German origins, many variants exist for the surname, such as Weis, Weise, Weisch, Wees, Weyss, Wise, and Wisse. These surname variants can be found throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Variations of the surname Wies
Variants, spellings and surname variants of the surname Wies all generate from the same root word and origin. The German variant of the surname is "Wiese" and is derived from the word "wiesen" which means "meadow", "pastureland", or "open tract".
Other variants of the German language from which the surname originates are "Wieser" and "Wis(s)er" which are typically found in Austria/Switzerland.
The English spelling of the surname is "Wise" or "Wyse", and is derived from the Old English spelling of the Germanic origin.
Other surname variants include "Weiss", "Weisz", "Wiess", "Veyss", "Vise", "Weiz", "Viss" and "Vig".
The Russian spelling of the surname is "Висс", the Dutch spelling is "Wijs", and the Yiddish spelling is "וויס".
Most variants of the surname typically refer to a person who lives beside a meadow or pasture, all originating from the same Germanic root. It is also sometimes used as an occupational surname, indicating that a person may have been a herder, gardener, or worker in some capacity. The surname is also found in certain Jewish populations, from which it is derived from the Hebrew word "viss", meaning wolf.
The surname is found in many parts of the world, with North America, Europe and Asia being the main hot spots. It is also a common surname in India, from which it is derived from the Hindi word "vish" meaning knowledge or wisdom.
To summarize, there are many variants of the same origin for the surname Wies, including Wiese, Wis(s)er, Wise, Wyse, Weiss, Weisz, Wiess, Veyss, Vise, Weiz, Viss, Vig, Висс, Wijs and וויס. It is typically linked to a person living near a meadow, pasture or some open tract, and also describes someone who has a job or profession involving herding, gardening, or any physical labour materials.
Famous people with the name Wies
- Paul Wies, galleries and antiques dealer.
- Carl Wies, entrepreneur and photographer.
- Ernest Wies, clergyman and bishop.
- Hermann Wies, lawyer.
- Leander Wies, composer and music educator.
- Udolf Wies, diplomat and ambassador.
- Dan Wies, painter.
- Julius Wies, politician.
- Uwe Wies, actor.
- Werner Wies, theologian and academic.
- Walter Wies, mobster and bootlegger.
- Gustav Wies, businessman and industrialist.
- Ernest Wies, bishop.
- John Wies, mayor.
- Frederick Wies, actor and director.
- Simon Wies, sculptor.
- Emil Wies, writer and editor.
- Emil Wies, psychologist and academic.
- Heinz Wies, football player.
- Werner Wies, football player.