Surname Groiß - Meaning and Origin
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Groiß: What does the surname Groiß mean?
The last name Groiß is a German surname, and it is derived from the Middle High German word “grois” meaning “big” or “grand.” It is also thought that the name may be derived from the Old German word “grus” meaning “gravel” or “grit.”
The name was most commonly seen in Austria during the 16th century, when Catholics often gave children surnames based on descriptive traits. For example, a child may have been given the surname Groiß if they were of a larger build or stature.
The first recorded use of the surname Groiß dates back to 1544 in the city of Worms, Germany. Records indicate that one person by the name Of Peter Groiß was living in Worms during this time.
The Groiß surname most commonly appears in German-speaking areas of Europe. It is especially common in eastern Germany and eastern Austria. With the increase in migration around the world, there are now also listed Groiß surnames appearing in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
For those researching their family history and searching for ancestors with the Groiß surname, it is important to note that the spelling of the name may have changed over time. Variations in the spelling include Greiss, Gries, Gruis, and Groiss. Each of these variants will need to be searched in order to find records of a Groiß ancestor.
Order DNA origin analysisGroiß: Where does the name Groiß come from?
Today, the last name Groiß is most commonly found in Germany and Austria, as well as large concentrations of people who have the name living in the United States and Canada.
The name has its origin in the Germanic language and is derived from the word 'groß', which is the German for 'big'. It was often bestowed upon people whose distinguished physical build matched their name. It is likely that the name came to Austria and Germany already during the Middle Ages when people started using last names in these two countries.
In the nineteenth century, immigration to the US and Canada from Europe saw a large portion of the Groiß family join other Germanic names in their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. In the US, they settled mainly in areas such as Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. In Canada, they were mostly present in Ontario, with a significant presence also in Alberta and Quebec.
Today, the Groiß family is still widely represented both in Germany and the US, with a few families also living in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. The Groiß family is a strong part of the German heritage and is cherished for the unique and strong intention it carries. It is likely to remain a part of the German diaspora for generations to come.
Variations of the surname Groiß
The surname Groiß is a variation of a German surname, Groß. It is also spelled as Gross, Groise and Groiss.
The origin of the name is from the German word "Gross" meaning 'great' or 'large' and was often used as a nickname for a person of large size or stature, or as a sign of respect. While the literal meaning of ‘great’ is often attributed to this word, it can also be interpreted as meaning ‘noble’ or ‘dignified’.
The surname Groiß is also found in countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland throughout Central Europe. It has also been found in Austria’s neighbour countries, such as the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland.
Variants of the surname Groiß include Großen, Größen, Größkopf, Gruszka, Grzymm, and Grzymska. It is also sometimes anglicised to Grosso, Grauss, Grosh, Groner, or Groshart. In France and other Romance languages, it is sometimes spelled Grossi.
Various other spellings of the name fall under its umbrella, including Graussl, Grössl, Gröss, or Grosz. It can also be translated as Grish in Eastern Europe.
Due to its diverse range of spellings, members of the Groiß family may not realise that they share a common ancestry. It is also possible for members of the Groiß family to be found in other parts of the world, due to the name having been brought overseas by European immigrants.
The same origin of the surname Groiß is reflected in its many derivatives, including Schmölz, Mölzer, Klizards, Klimzbach, and Grunewald.
Famous people with the name Groiß
- Anne Groß, German artist
- Siegfried Groß, German football player
- Adolph Groß, German handball player
- Werner Groß, German athlete
- Johannes Groiß, Austrian artist
- Friedrich Groiß, Austrian priest
- Heinrich Groiß, German author
- Michael Groiß, Austrian author
- Stefan Groiß, German composer
- Philomena Groiß, German philosopher
- Karl Groiß, German actor
- Arthur Groiß, German film director
- Peter Groiß, Austrian speed skater
- Johannes Groiß, German ski mountaineer
- Matthias Groiß, Austrian footballer
- Mario Gössel, Austrian jazz musician who was also known as Groiß
- Philipp Groiß, German journalist
- Jutta Groiß, German soprano
- Karl Groiß, German artist
- Johann Groiß, Austrian violinist