Surname Gareiss - Meaning and Origin

Gareiss: What does the surname Gareiss mean?

The last name Gareiss is of German origin and is derived from the personal name “Gar” or “Ger” which originated in Old High German. The name is said to mean “spear”.

This name was likely popular in Germany due to its association with a powerful weapon. During the Middle Ages, many armies in Europe valued spears as a reliable weapon during battle. The term “Gareiss” was also used to describe some of the elite cavalrymen who rode horses and carried spears into battle.

The name Gareiss can also be found across the world, indicating a spread of its original roots into other cultures. In addition to being German, it is also commonly found in France, Switzerland, and the United States.

The Gareiss surname is an interesting and meaningful one, likely reflecting generations of strong-willed individuals who exhibited endearing characteristics like bravery and courage. As such, it is understandable why one might be proud to carry on the Gareiss legacy, and why the name Gareiss may represe

Gareiss: Where does the name Gareiss come from?

Gareiss is a surname with roots in Germany, and today it is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the states with the highest concentration of this name are Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also present in the United States, with a higher concentration in states which had large German-speaking populations in the mid-19th century, such as Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania.

The name Gareiss is derived from the Middle High German word gereis, which means "journeyman." It appears to have been used initially as an occupational name, used by a journeyman or traveler. Over time, the surname became fixed as Gareiss and spread throughout Central Europe.

In the United States, the last name is occasionally transcribed as Garris or Gearis. Apart from its presence in the US, Gareiss is not especially common elsewhere in the world. It is, however, particularly present in Central Europe. As a result, there are likely to be some Gareiss families in neighboring countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Variations of the surname Gareiss

The surname Gareiss is a German family name derived from the Middle High German word “Garern” and is related to the profession of a wine presser. It is most likely a status name denoting someone who was a wine presser or owned wine presses. Variant spellings of Gareiss include Gareissen, Kereis and Garreis.

In Germany, a specific variant of the surname is seen in the Swabian region of Baden-Württemberg which is called Gersich, Keresel or Kereseli. This is derived from the Swabian dialect word “Keresele” which is the short version of Gereisele, which is a contraction of Gererise (meaning a wine presser).

In Austria, Gareiss is also found spelled as Gerais, Geraiss, Graveis and Graveiss. This spelling variant is thought to be the answer to the interruption of the vowel between JR and S in Gererise.

Surnames related to Gareiss include Gersich, Kereis, Keris, Karis, Korrais, Karer, Garreis, Gerais, Geraiss, Graveis, Graveiss, Grafuss, Graul, Grul, Graff, Gerer, Garey, Gray, Giroux and Gru. All these names denote someone who was a wine presser.

Famous people with the name Gareiss

• Anja Gareis: wife of German celebrity chef Nelson Müller, and former finalist on the German TV show, Die Höhle der Löwen.
• Suzanne Gareis: German-American actress, best known for her role in the popular soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.
• Michael Gareis: American actor, best known for his role of Brian Robbins on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless.
• Martin Gareis: German sculptor and ceramist, known for his animal sculptures.
• Georg Gareis: German engineer and designer, best known for designing the Gareis turbine in the 1940s.
• Michael Gareis: German jazz pianist, composer, and producer.
• Heiko Gareis: German footballer who played for the teams Stuttgarter Kickers, Alemannia Aachen, and Karlsruher SC.
• Rolf Gareis: German biochemist and molecular biologist, best known for his research on the role of the cytochrome c oxidase in respiration.
• Reinhold Gareis: Austrian neurologist and professor of psychiatry and neurology, best known for his contributions to the field of multiple sclerosis.
• Florian Gareis: Austrian football player currently playing for FK Austria Wien.

Other surnames

Gareis