Surname Heis - Meaning and Origin
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Heis: What does the surname Heis mean?
The surname Heis is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “heit” which means “owner” or “tenant”. As a surname, it may have originated with someone who was a tenant farmer, or landowner. The Heis spelling is an alternate spelling of the names Heyse, Heise, or Heyss. Variants of the name Heis are found in both Germany and the United States.
In Germany, the Heis surname is most commonly found in Lower Saxony and Westphalia, regions of northern Germany. It is possible that individuals bearing this name had Germanic pagan origins as the structures of the early medieval Church were not well established in these areas until after the 11th century.
In the US, the earliest traceable occurrences of Heis are of eighteenth century immigrants who settled primarily in Pennsylvania and Maryland. One of the first recorded bearers of the name is Christopher Heise who was recorded as living in Berks county, Pennsylvania in 1754. Some of the first settlers to bear the name ventured to Illinois, Ohio, and other states in the Midwest in the 1800’s.
Given the extensive geographic spread and rich history associated with the Heis surname, carrying this name is a credit to an individual’s ancestral roots. Those named Heis are proud owners of their ancestral past, with its many owners and tenants who call the name home.
Order DNA origin analysisHeis: Where does the name Heis come from?
The Heis surname is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is a rare surname and can be found in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, France, England, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Heis surname originates from Germany. It is derived from the Old High German word "heisan" which means fenced in or surrounded. The Heis surname began to appear in the middle ages when a family from the Rhineland adopted the surname. This family was prominent in the area and held a noble title, which is now known as Von Heis. The Von Heis family members served in important positions in different German courts.
Today, Heis is most common in Germany, where it is found in rural areas throughout the country. Over the years, some of the Heis family spread into Austria and other countries, most likely due to wars and other disasters.
In the United States, the Heis surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, where German immigrants settled in the colonial period. Some other states where the Heis surname is most common in the U.S. are New York, Ohio, and Illinois.
The Heis surname is still found in its original homeland and can be found throughout the world today. It represents a long history of migration and is a distinct piece of family history for those who carry it.
Variations of the surname Heis
The surname Heis can also be spelled "Hayes" or "Hays" in English-speaking countries, and "Hais/Haes/Haesen/Haessen" in other European countries.
The surname originates from pre-medieval England, derived from the old English word "haya" meaning "fenced enclosure".
In particular, the name is associated with the region of Lancashire, located in the Northwest England, as well as Scotland. The modern name variations are likely due to migration between different countries or the adoption of multiple spelling variances over time.
Other similar surnames may include the German surname "Haas," which is also a patronymic name from the medieval Germanic personal name "Hagen," which is itself derived from "hagan," meaning "enclosure".
There is also the Dutch surname "Haes", which is also derived from the old Dutch word "Hees," meaning "wood" or "forest".
Finally, there is the Irish surname "Heise/Heis/Hess/Hesse," which is a variation of the German name "Hess," which itself comes from the Old High German word "hessi," meaning "wood or forest".
Overall, all these variants are similar and are derived from similar origins, making them related despite their different forms.
Famous people with the name Heis
- Frank Heis, American professional baseball player
- Francine Heis, an Inuk artist from Canada
- Michael Heis, an Austrian field hockey player
- Hank Heis, an American lawyer and politician
- Harry Heis, an American college football player
- Ernst Heis, an Austrian bobsleigh pilot
- Jack Heis, a Canadian alpine skier
- Adam Heis, a semi-professional Australian Rules footballer
- Sean Heis, an American rower
- Ron Heis, an American painter
- Mary Heis, an American
- Elizabeth Heis, a former professional golfer
- Robert Heis, an American football coach
- David Heis, a German sprinter
- Dominic Heis, an Italian luger
- Silvia Heis, an Austria orienteer
- Johann Heis, a German lawyer
- George Heis, an American actor
- Johann Wolfgang Heis, a German lutenist
- Oskar Heis, a German sculptor