Surname Greiss - Meaning and Origin
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Greiss: What does the surname Greiss mean?
The last name Greiss is a German surname which originated in Bavaria, Germany. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word ‘greiz’ meaning grey. During the Middle Ages, this name was used to define families whose family members were primarily known for their grey hair. In time, individuals with this last name began to be known for having leadership qualities and often held positions in local government or the military.
In some cases, the last name Greiss is associated with ‘honest’ individuals, those who could be relied on to tell the truth and who were well respected for their integrity. Culturally, those with the last name Greiss are associated with diligence and honor.
Today the last name Greiss is most often found in Western European regions such as Germany, Austria, France, and the United Kingdom. It is very rare to find individuals with the last name Greiss in other parts of the world.
In summary, the last name Greiss is a German surname which is thought to have derived from the Old German word 'greiz' meaning grey. It is believed that this name was originally used to define families whose members were known for their grey hair. Over time, individuals with this last name have been associated with honesty, diligence, honor, and leadership qualities. The name is most often found in Western European countries but is quite rare in other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisGreiss: Where does the name Greiss come from?
The last name Greiss is most commonly found in Germany and Austria. It is especially common in Bavaria, where the spelling is more closely associated with Greiß. In addition to those regions, Greiss is also prevalent in many other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
Outside of Europe, the last name Greiss is found in many areas of the United States, especially in the eastern half of the country. It is especially prominent in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, where there are many families with the last name. The Greiss surname is also common in Canada, particularly in and around the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
The Greiss last name is believed to originate from the German word “greusz,” which means “shack” or “hut.” It may refer to the profession of one who makes and repairs such structures. It could also refer to someone who lived in such a hut or shack. Over time the spelling of the name has evolved, and now it’s present in many different countries.
Variations of the surname Greiss
Greiss is a surname of German origin. The various forms of spelling and variants of this surname include Greiss, Greis, Geis, Gries, Greise, and Greisser. The German spelling of the surname is usually Greiß or Greißer.
The Geis and Gries variants are primarily found in and around Bavaria, while the Greis variant is mainly seen in and around Baden-Wurttemberg. The Greisser variant is mainly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.
The Greisser surname derives from the Middle High German word "greis," which means either "an old man" or "a respected senior." This surname was likely adopted by families to denote a senior family member, or to signify that the family was of an old and well-regarded lineage.
The surname Greiss is also found in other parts of Europe. In some instances, it has been adopted by families in Russia, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.
The Greiss or Greisser surname is sometimes confused with the German surname Grais, which is derived from a pre-Christian personal name Gras. This name was likely given to a person with either a grey beard or grey hair.
Famous people with the name Greiss
- Thomas Greiss: professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL).
- André Greiss: Brazilian judoka, two-time Olympic medalist, and Brazilian judo team leader.
- Henri Greiss: French historical and portrait painter.
- Alan Greiss: former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1990 to 1991 for the Baltimore Orioles.
- Maria Greiss: German sport climber, boulderer and mountaineer.
- Elllis Greiss: former American politician and journalist. He served as Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- Matthias Greiss: German former footballer who played as a midfielder for Tennis Borussia Berlin, FC Energie Cottbus and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
- Robert Greiss: Austrian classical cellist, composer and conductor.
- Johann Greiss: Austrian deaf-mute painter born in Vienna in 1895.
- Erwin Greiss: German Iron Cross World War I veteran who later held high ranking positions in the Nazi party.