Surname Preisse - Meaning and Origin
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Preisse: What does the surname Preisse mean?
The last name Preisse is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "preiss" which was used to refer to a monk or priest. In ancient times, members of this family were associated with a church, monastery, or other religious order.
The Preisse last name likely originated in Bavaria, a region of southern Germany. It likely derived from a nickname for a member of a religious order, derived from the Old German terms preo, presbiter, or presbiterius, all of which mean “priest.” It could also be derived from preost, meaning “priest” in Old English and Middle English.
The first known bearer of the name Preisse was Ulrich Pres in 1272. Johann Preis was documented in Ettenheimm in 1514. Later, Johann Preisse, a woodworker, was mentioned in 1573 in Lucka near Weimar.
The Preisse last name can be found in several countries, including Germany, Poland, France, the United States, and Canada. The widespread distribution of the Preisse surname reflects the ongoing migrations of the European population over hundreds of years.
Today, the Preisse last name is quite common among the families with German ancestry. In fact, it can be found among families with roots from all over the world. It may be a sign of their strong ties to their Germanic past.
Order DNA origin analysisPreisse: Where does the name Preisse come from?
The last name Preisse is a prominent German name, found mostly in the areas of Saxony-Anhalt and the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Preisse is derived from the early Germanic prefect or ‘chieftain’ and could have appeared in any region that was inhabited by Germanic peoples. The name is especially common in counties such as Sangerhausen, Loburg (Stendal), Kleinchenz (Erfurt), and Lüneburg. It is also found in Austrian states of Vienna, Styria, and Upper and Lower Austria.
Today, the surname Preisse is still common in Germany and Austria. It can be found in many areas, such as Wernigerode and Dessau in Saxony-Anhalt, as well as in areas across Germany. There is also a small presence of the name in North America, where it was brought to the United States and Canada via German immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the United States, Preisse showed up in the late 19th century. It is most often found in the states of Pennsylvania and New York, with some families settling in Ohio and Wisconsin. One of the earliest recorded occurrences of the name in US records was that of Anna Preisse in 1896 in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The name is still around today, with its descendants living all over the country.
The Preisse name is also still popular in and around Vienna, Austria. Families bearing the surname can be found throughout the city and the surrounding states. Additionally, the name exists in smaller numbers in France and other countries connected to the German diaspora.
Overall, the name Preisse is quite prominent among German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and their respective past and present diasporas. It is a common last name that is still found around the original parts of Germany and Austria, as well as other areas around the world.
Variations of the surname Preisse
The surname Preisse has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of the surname Preisse include Preis, Preiß, Prees, Press, Presser, Preiser, Preyss, Preysser, Prix, and even Pressmann.
The many spellings of the surname Preisse show its geographical origin, with its earliest recorded form being Preiss in Germany. Its varied spellings reflect the way the name changed as opponents of French rule proposed their own forms of the surname.
Other surnames of the same origin include Preisser, Priess, Pris, Priss, Priis, Pressler, Priester, Presser, and Pryster.
The name has also been slightly altered in several places, such as in Yiddish, where the surname is spelled Preis. Similarly, the Polish version of the name is spelled Przyss.
The surname can also be found in the United States and other English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom. In these instances, the name has undergone even more changes, including Pressey, Prezie, Preszee, Preist, Priest, and Preistley.
Regardless of its many versions and spellings, the surname Preisse is an important part of many family histories. Its many variants showcase how the family has adapted to its changing environment, while maintaining its origin story.
Famous people with the name Preisse
- Murray Preisse: an American actor and filmmaker, known for his comedic roles in such films as Home Alone 4, The Ringer and The Fosters
- James Preisse: an American novelist and satirist who wrote such novels as The Emperor Jones and The Tiger of K’Hein
- Anna Preisse: an American artist and musician, best known for her paintings and sketches of landscapes and nature
- Helmut Preisse: a German entrepreneur and investor who is the founder and CEO of the Preisse Group, a major holding company with offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and North America
- Kenny Preisse: an Australian country singer-songwriter known for his singles 'Don't Matter Where You're From' and 'Living Out of Sight'
- Klaus Preisse: an Austrian sculptor and designer known for his works in public spaces such as the Danube Tower in Vienna and the Stadtpark in Graz
- Wilhelm Preisse: an Austrian-Hungarian opera conductor and composer best known for his 1875 opera Die Walküre
- Johann Preisse: a Swiss architect and designer of the 19th century who designed several churches and other building in Europe
- Heinrich Preisse: a German lawyer and politician who was a member of the German Parliament as well as serving as an adviser to Adolf Hitler
- Wiltrud Preisse: a German lyricist, poet, and radio dramatist best known for her translations of works by German authors such as Goethe, Hebbel, and Schiller