Surname Käß - Meaning and Origin
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Käß: What does the surname Käß mean?
The last name Käß comes from the German language and has its origins in the Middle High German name "Kacz". It is one of the oldest and most common German surnames that expands throughout Europe. This surname is derived from the word "Kaese" which means "cheese" in English.
The surname Käß is most commonly found in areas where Germanic language is spoken such as Germany, Austria, and the surrounding areas of Central Europe. The Käß surname is often associated with a dairy farming or cheese-making profession due to the literal translation of its meaning, as historically those with this surname would be likely to work in one of those industries.
The Käß surname is also linked to the medieval city of Kaiserslautern (Emperor's Lautern) where it was first recorded. After its initial appearance in Kaiserslautern the surname quickly spread throughout Europe as the descendants of first family to bear the name became recruited in various military campaigns and worked throughout the countries along the Rhine.
Today, a great many people bear the Käß surname and usually indicate with pride the region in Europe where their Käß ancestors originated. Käß is a notable and proud name for individuals whose ancestors spread across Continental Europe and made their home in the Rhineland region.
Order DNA origin analysisKäß: Where does the name Käß come from?
Käß is a last name that is most commonly associated with Germany, Austria, and the surrounding areas of Central Europe. The origin of the name is believed to come from either a baptismal name or a nickname derived from the Middle High German word cassen, which means a top or a lid. The name is mentioned in old documents as early as the mid-1300s. Over time, Käß became a popular family name, particularly among those living in the states that make up the German-speaking countries.
Today, Käß is a fairly common name across German-speaking countries in Europe. As a result of German emigration in the 19th century, it can also be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The variants of the name also show up in the form of Kaß and Kas in some areas.
Käß is primarily an occupational surname, indicating the original bearer was likely a shopkeeper or merchant who moved goods in a lidded basket, carefully protecting and transporting them to customers. The name also has associations with the religious by referencing the symbolic use of lidded vessels to contain the host in Christian churches.
Given the prevalence of this surname today, it’s likely that any Käß living in a German-speaking country today has distant relatives who once held the same name.
Variations of the surname Käß
Käß is a diminutive of the given name "Kasimir," derived from the Greek "Kasimaraos," which can be translated to "bringer of peace." It is a common surname found in Germany, Benelux countries, and some other parts of Europe, particularly in areas with a German-speaking population. It is also an Americanized version of the Jewish surname Katz.
Käß is commonly spelled without the umlaut. Some common variant spellings include Kaess, Kaes, Kaas, and Kaass. Other variant spellings can also be found, including Kaesz, Kaasz, Kaesch, Kees, Kes, and Keess.
In some cases, Käß may be seen as a surname of a different origin. Such surnames include Kace, Kaeshe, Keeser, and Kaser.
Another surname with the same root is Kästner, which is common amongst German-speakers. Generally, however, this name is popular amongst people from the states of Saxony and Brandenburg, as well as people with Prussian background.
Käß can also be seen as a surname of Jewish origin. In this case, the name is usually Katz, which is the Yiddish version of the German name Käß. Katz is an abbreviation of the German name Kasimir. This surname is commonly seen in the United States and Canada, as well as other countries with large Jewish populations.
Due to the similarities and possible confusions between surnames, many people with the surname Käß may choose to adopt nicknames to distinguish them from other families with similar names. Such names may include Kätz, Kissel, Cäss, and other variations.
Famous people with the name Käß
- Alexander Käß: Former Grand Slam tennis finalist
- Olympia Käß: German field hockey player
- Anton Käß: Former German professional cyclist
- Markus Käß: Former professional football midfielder
- Birgit Käß: German table tennis player and champion
- Wilfried Käß: German marketers and former President of the DVI (Deutsche Verkehrs- und Industriefachschule des Verkehrswesens)
- Jens Käß: German former gymnastics coach and National Gymnastics Coach of the German Gymnastics Federation
- Till Käß: Former German professional cyclist
- Lorraine Käß: German beach volleyball player
- Barbara Käß-Dietrich: German operatic soprano and professor for voice at the Leipzig University of Music