Surname Lais - Meaning and Origin
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Lais: What does the surname Lais mean?
The last name Lais is of French origin and is believed to derive either from the personal name Laid, derived from a Germanic element meaning 'battle,' or from the place name Laisy, which is derived from the Germanic word meaning 'clearing in woods.'
The name Lais reached England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, at which point it began to be recorded in many forms including Lace, Lass, Less, Lesser, and Laise. It is most commonly found in Northern France, Belgium, and Holland.
The surname Lais may also be spelled Laiz, Laiset, Laisez, or Laissant, and is thought to have either been a given name specific to the noble families of France, or else a nickname that evolved from the word for "smooth," "placid," or "easy going."
The Ivey Book of Names states that the name Lais is derived from the Germanic word for "field", though this could also be connected with the French word for "smooth". It is possible that the nickname originated from a certain notable characteristics of the first bearer to bear this surname, which was then passed down throughout the generations.
The surname Lais is still found in France and its surrounding areas today. It has grown in popularity due to its historic origin and noble connection. Today, the surname is seen as a symbol of prestige, pride, and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisLais: Where does the name Lais come from?
The last name Lais is commonly found in France, where it most likely originated. A French surname, Lais is believed to be a variation of the ancient German name Loys or Loyse. The name is also found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and regions of the United States with French heritage, such as Louisiana, New England, and the Midwest.
Lais is a rare surname and not typically found to the same extent as many other French surnames. However, it remains relatively present throughout France and various other French-speaking countries. It is not popular in English-speaking countries, and those with the name are typically descended from a French-speaking ancestor.
Lais is frequently seen as a first name in France, with feminine variants such as Lais and Laize being most common. As a surname, Lais occasionally appears in compounded forms, such as Lais-de-aveugle ("blind man's Lais") and Lais de Sezanne ("Lais of Sezanne").
Due to its French origins, Lais is very uncommon in much of the world outside of French-speaking cultures. For example, the surname is not listed in most English databases, suggesting that it is not very common in English-speaking lands. However, those descended from French-speaking ancestors may find that they carry the last name Lais, either in its original form or in one of its many variations.
Variations of the surname Lais
The surname Lais is of Latin origin, deriving from the Latin word "laesus" which means "hurt" or "injured". It is also sometimes spelled as Laese, Laisse, Laiz or Lays.
In different countries and regions, it appears in various variants. In France, the surname Lais may be spelled Laise, Laize, Laisse or Laizé. In Hungary, the name is spelled Lajos, while in the German-speaking countries, it can be spelled Läis or Lies.
Lais is also a common surname in Scandinavia. In Sweden, Lais can be spelled Lais, Laes, Lee, Lie, Lööf, Löwegrén and Löws. In Norway, the variants Lais, Laase and Lies are often seen. The Finnish variant is Lähdesmäki.
In the United States, many families spell the name with the variant Lays. Other forms of the surname found in America are Lais, Laes, Laiz, Laise, Leighs, Leighz, Layse and Layz.
Today, the surname is especially common in the French-speaking countries, as well as in Germany and Spain. In the United States, it is more frequent in the Southern states.
Generally, Lais is an uncommon name, however, it has many spelling variations. Variants of the surname Lais include Laize, Laisse, Laes, Laizé, Lajos, Läis, Lies, Laase, Löws, Lööf, Löwegrén, Leighs, Leighz, Layse and Layz.
Famous people with the name Lais
- Anna Lais: Brazilian Actress, known for her roles in “Passione” and “The Power of Love”.
- Feyisa Lilesa: Ethiopian distance runner who won the silver medal in the marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Giselle Lais: Brazilian swimmer who represented Brazil in FINA World Championships, Olympic Games and World Cups.
- Cássio Lais: Brazilian professional football player who currently plays for Fortaleza Esporte Clube but previously played for clubs such as Botafogo, Flamengo, and Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.
- Arthur Lais: Brazilian Footballer who currently plays for Grêmio Novorizontino.
- Kurt Lais: German engineer and inventor who developed the Lais Valve core, a widely used valve system for controlling water pressure.
- Antonio Lais: Italian politician who previously served as the Minister for Industry of Italy.
- Nicolas Lais: French artist and sculptor who is known for his work with bronze and ceramic.
- JoLais: English singer-songwriter and music producer who is most prominently known for his work with Lil Baby, Wiz Khalifa, and Cardi B.