Surname Drieß - Meaning and Origin

Drieß: What does the surname Drieß mean?

The last name Drieß is an occupational surname derived from the trade of the individual who took it on. In German, the term Drieß translates to “cloth merchant” or “clothier,” indicating that the original person who carried the name was once a professional cloth merchant. It’s quite likely that the owner of this surname was an ancestor of the individual who carries the name currently, however this isn’t always certain.

In German culture, it’s common for families to take surnames derived from the type of work that their ancestors did for a living. It wasn’t uncommon for a tradesman to, later on in life, pass on the surname to his family even if their trade changed over time. This is the case with the last name Drieß.

Throughout the centuries, many variations of the name have become common. Common variations include Dreiss, Treiss, Driesz, Drieze, and Triess.

In some cases, it’s also possible that individuals have surnames derived from a region or place of origin rather than a occupation. This can be confusing since geographical origins and trades often overlap, and surnames can derive from both.

Regardless of the origin, the surname Drieß is still a common name throughout German-speaking nations. As the surname has been around for centuries, many individuals have come to bear the name, making it a part of cultural exploration into the evolving Germanic identities of each generation.

Drieß: Where does the name Drieß come from?

The last name Drieß is most commonly found in Germany today. The origin of the surname is Germanic and likely traces back to the 11th century and is derived the old German word "truz", meaning a ‘fierce’ or ‘brave’ person. Drieß is found mostly in the central and northern parts of the country, particularly in the state of Thuringen and in the districts of Stendal and Altmark, to name a few. It is also found in the Czech Republic, Lithuania and the United States.

The earliest documented mention of the surname can be found in the 12th century as ‘Druss’ in Swabia, in a document sent by Bishop Gavolto from Constance. The name grew over the following centuries, as did its spelling variations which include ‘Dreß’, ‘Drees’ and ‘Dresz’. Today, there are roughly 2500 records of the surname registered in Germany, and according to the top-level domain .de, it’s among the hundred biggest surnames in the country.

The most famous bearer of the surname is drummer Felix Drieß, whose musical career dates back to the late 18th century. His style was strongly influenced by his counterculture peers such as Velvet Underground, Love, The Stooges and Led Zeppelin, and his musical legacy still lives on today. Nevertheless, even while the surname has become iconic, its presence in the population has been in decline and currently stands as one of the nation’s least common surnames.

Variations of the surname Drieß

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Drieß are Dreiss, Dreiß, Dreese, Dreß, and Dreßler.

Drieß, sometimes spelled Dreiss or Dreiß, is an occupational surname of German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German term 'driet' which means a 'person who paid taxes', a 'dues or tribute collector', or a 'bailiff'. This name is often found in records from early medieval Germany. It was a popular surname among feudal landowners of southern Germany during the Middle Ages.

Variations of this surname such as Dreese, Dreß, and Dreßler are also derived from the same term. Though they may sound different, due to regional dialects, they all have the same origin.

The Dreese variation is an Americanized spelling of the German name Drieß, which is derived from the Germanic word breese which means “spirit”. This variation was created by German immigrants who arrived in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Dreß variation is derived from the original term Dreiß and is primarily found in southern Germany today. It is derived from the Germanic word dres which means “dwelling”.

The Dreßler variation is derived from the original name Dreiß and is most commonly found in modern northern Germany. It is derived from the Germanic word deri which means “deer”.

Though these variants of Drieß may sound distinct, they all share the same origin.

Famous people with the name Drieß

• Friedrich Drieß, German actor and stage actor
• August Drieß, German press photographer
• Eugen Drieß, German cable factory worker and engineer
• Heike Drieß, German singer and songwriter
• Johann Gottfried Drieß, German educator and politician
• Kim Drieß, German businesswoman and beauty pageant contestant
• Erich Drieß, German World War II fighter pilot
• Wilhelm Drieß, German politician
• Robert Drieß, German art historian
• Klaus Drieß, German sport journalist and national team coach

Other surnames

Drießen