Surname Reiß - Meaning and Origin
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A Personal Journey through Time: Unearthing the Roots of the Reiß Surname with iGENEA DNA Test
Experiencing the iGENEA DNA test, exploring the roots of the surname Reiß and unravelling deep connections with diverse individuals sharing it. The test not only unlocks secrets of lineage but facilitates a network of shared narratives.
Z. Reiß
read moreReiß: What does the surname Reiß mean?
Reiß is a German surname, with the English spelling being "Rice" (sometimes "Reisse" or "Reisser"). It can be traced back to the Old Germanic "Reiss" or "Reisin", which means "horseman" or "rider".
This implies a person who spends much of their time in the saddle, and as such the name was often associated with knights, warriors, military service, and the upper classes. The use of the term was likely brought to Germany by the Franks during the early Middle Ages, and is likely related to word reiten, which is the modern German word for 'to ride'.
Reiß is a common surname, found in many significant German-speaking populations, including in parts of modern-day Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In some countries, the spelling has been variously adapted to fit local language customs, such as "Rees" or "Reyss", as well as "Ries" or "Risse".
The surname typically appears with some regional variations and can also be combined with a prefix, such as in von Reiß, which was largely used by aristocratic families. Today, there are thousands of people worldwide bearing the name, and many Reiss families can trace their heritage directly back to their Germanic roots.
Order DNA origin analysisReiß: Where does the name Reiß come from?
The last name Reiß is a relatively common German surname. It has been found to originate mainly in northwest and western Germany, including the regions of Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg. This surname is also found in some parts of Austria and Switzerland.
The earliest record of the Reiß surname dates back to 1744, when Dominican nun Maria Reiß and artist Franz Xaver Reiß both appear in court records in Oppenheim in Upper Hesse. By the turn of the 19th century, the Reiß family had spread throughout the Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria.
Today, the last name Reiß is especially common in southern Germany. In cities such as Munich, Stuttgart, and Berlin, there are a high number of people with this surname. Furthermore, this name is also often found in rural areas in the south, especially in the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Smaller numbers of this name can also still be found throughout Austria and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Reiß
Reiß is a German surname that has several alternate spellings and variants. The most common one is Reiss, with one s instead of two, which is the most widely used spelling in English speaking countries. Other variants include Reich, Reicher, Reisher, Reisinger, Reissler, Reichel, Reichenberger, Reissman, Reisch, Reichstein, and Reise.
The spelling Reiss is derived from the German word "raiz," which means "reed." This was often used as a nickname for people who lived in a reed area or near a marsh. The other variants are derived from the Old High German element "ric," meaning "power" or "rule." As a result, the surnames with the variant spellings could have referred to powerful or dominant people in a given area.
The spelling Reiss is a common Jewish surname, mainly among Ashkenazi Jews. It was most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, and is still in use today. The other variants are less common among Jews, although some are still found in the same areas.
Due to European emigration, Reiß is now found in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. However, the spelling is usually Reiss in these countries, as that is the most commonly used version.
Overall, Reiß is a German surname that has several alternate spellings and variants, including Reiss, Reich, Reicher, Reisher, Reisinger, Reissler, Reichel, Reichenberger, Reissman, Reisch, Reichstein, and Reise. Although it is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, due to migration, it is now found in many other parts of the world. Each variant has its own origin, usually derived from German words or elements.
Famous people with the name Reiß
- Matthias Reiß: soccer player who plays in the 2. Bundesliga for VfL Bochum.
- Stephan Reiß: the chief executive of HypoVereinsbank since 2016.
- Benjamin Reiß: multi-talented German actor and singer, who also produces and writes, best known for his roles in “Geordie Shore” and “Good Bye Deutschland”.
- Ben-Phillip Reiß: a German musician, actor, and producer, best known as a member of the all-male German-American jazz band “Gonzalo & the Trés”.
- Bettina Reiß: a German theatre director, educator, and writer best known for her work with physical theatre and movement.
- Sebastian Reiß: a German TV and film director, best known for TV series such as “Outlander”, “Unter Uns” and “Al Fatiha”.
- Alexander Reiß: a German actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in “Soko Köln” and “Coupling”.
- Kim-Noah Reiß: a well-known German writer and poet, best known for his novels and short stories.
- Jeffrey Reiß: a German music producer and audio engineer, best known for his work with bands such as t.A.T.u and Eisbrecher.
- Maximilian Reiß: former German footballer who played as a defender for Herta BSC Berlin and Rot Weiss Erfurt.