Surname Görß - Meaning and Origin
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Görß: What does the surname Görß mean?
Görß is an East-West Prussian/German surname which originated in what is now known as Poland. It is derived from the Old Prussian word Gōrs meaning “tall, high” or “lofty,” indicating the ancestors of this family were of distinguished stature. It is likely that Görß also originally referred to someone who lived at a prominent height, such as a hilltop or high-level dwelling.
The first known record of this surname is from 14th century Prussia, where it was spelled Gʷors, an Old Prussian character of the time. The oldest known record in East Prussia is found in writings from the mid-14th century. The original spelling from the 15th century is found in the “Roll of Arms of the Prussian Nation” from 14 Even though the name Görß might have just referred to an individual of high stature, today it might be associated with both stature and pride. For example, the Görß family has been known for centuries to produce prominent and distinguished members in both social and socioeconomic circles.
Throughout the centuries, even as the region of Prussia underwent various changes in governance, the Görß surname remained. In the modern-day, Görß is one of the most common surnames of East-West Prussian/German decent.
Order DNA origin analysisGörß: Where does the name Görß come from?
The last name Görß is predominantly found in Germany today, though its spelling varies slightly depending on the region. In Germany’s western and central regions, it is spelled “Goerß," while it is spelled “Görß” in the eastern parts of the country. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, this surname is one of the least common ones in the country, ranking about 30,000th in terms of frequency.
Görß has been known in Germany for centuries. It was originally a patronymic surname derived from the name “Gör," which used to be common in parts of Germany historically. Prior to the 19th century, spelling conventions for names had yet to be introduced, so the same name could be written or pronounced differently depending on the geographical region. Over time, the spelling of the last name Görß began to stabilize and modernize.
Though rare, the Görß surname is still found in many areas of Germany today. It is typically listed by its native spelling, Görß, in regions of eastern Germany and other German-speaking countries like Austria. In Germany’s western and central regions, however, the spelling has diversified into various versions, from Görß to Goerß, Görz, Gorz, and Gorß.
Variations of the surname Görß
The surname Görß is of Germanic origin and is commonly found in Northern Germany. The earliest recorded reference of this surname dates back to the 13th century, when a family bearing the name was documented in the village of Gorss in Sleswig-Holstein.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Görß include Görz, Gorz, Gorsz, Garse, Gorse and Gorseth. Additionally, in other countries, such as the United States, the surname is often anglicized as Gorsh, Gorsch or Gorset.
Görß spelling variations often happened due to the lack of standard spelling, increased literacy, as well as the random changes in spelling that occurred in the German language over the centuries. Another reason for spelling variations of this surname was that the village was located at the border separating the German states, so it was common for the surname to be spelt differently depending on the location from which the family originated, or where it moved later on.
Görß is related to the Old Germanic word 'gors', which means 'marshland' or 'wetland', indicating that the original bearers of the surname were likely to have been living in or near the marshlands of Northern Germany.
Today, descendants of the Görß family can be found all over the world, with the name often being altered to fit the trends and fashions of different countries and languages. However, at its core, the surname remains the same - a testament to the strength and endurance of the Görß family throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Görß
- J.G. Goerz: Born Johann Gustav Goerz in 1854, J.G. Goerz was an optical expert who first invented lenses for binoculars, monoculars, and the telescope. He also contributed with several innovations to the field of photooptics.
- Helmuth Röhrig Görß: Born in 1948, Görß was a German Grand Prix motorcyclist who achieved success in the Grand Prix Motorcycle World Championship, becoming German Motorcycle Champion in 1979 and winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1984.
- Georg Görß: Born in 1888, Görß was a German politician active in the Social Democratic and Communist parties. He served as a member of the Reichstag and the Prussian Landtag, as well as a minister and government representative for the East German government.
- Leif Görß: Born in 1954, Leif Görß is a German music producer and composer who has contributed as a part of the project artists such as Hallucinogen, X-Dream, and Tarsis. He is also the founder and director of the company SØR Sound & Music Solutions.
- Rainer Görß: Born in 1941, Görß was a German-British novelist best known for his fiction works which include 'A Different Life' (1983), 'Constantinople 1/354' (1991), and 'Gone Case' (1985).
- Detlef Görß: Born in 1947, Görß is a German former professional football player who played domestically as well as internationally. He is currently the manager for Hertha Zehlendorf II.
- August Görß: Born in 1900, Görß was a German politician who was a Member of the Social Democratic Party, Württemberg state parliament, mayor of Pfullingen, and representative on the district of Reutlingen.
- Ehrhart Görß: Born in 1942, Görß is a German historian, emeritus professor, and former President of the University of Konstanz. Görß is credited for uncovering the "Forgotten History of Germany" relating to World War II.