Surname Preihs - Meaning and Origin

Preihs: What does the surname Preihs mean?

The last name Preihs is of German origin and can be traced back to be a variant of the old Germanic personal name “Pried”, which dates back to the 12th century. The word semantically translates to “peace” or “ joy” in Old High German.

The Preihs surname is most commonly associated with the states of Lower Saxony, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Sachsen-Anhalt in Germany, where it has been borne by several generations of the same families. It is believed that this surname started to spread throughout Germany from the middle part of the 17th century when the regions united with the formation of the German Empire in 1871.

Given its meaning, the Preihs surname is believed to have initially been an occupational surname for a person who brought peace or served in diplomatic missions. However, as the name spread over time, its interpretation changed to signify people who were in trade or commerce and were concerned with peaceful affairs. This is why the coat of arms of the Preihs family depicts a seated woman holding a bundle of arrows in one hand and a palm leaf in the other. It is said to represent a determination to maintain peace and order.

The Preihs surname has been carried in many parts of Germany over the centuries, but is most common in areas that were affected by the two World Wars. It is estimated that there are now over 15000 people living across the globe today who carry the Preihs surname, the majority of which are descendants of the original families who were part of the initial movement to spread the name around Germany.

Preihs: Where does the name Preihs come from?

The last name Preihs is commonly found today in countries with Germanic heritage, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, and parts of eastern Europe. The name is believed to have actually originated in Bavaria region of modern day Germany. It is an occupational name, meaning someone who made preys and/or lived near a preying area, derived from the German word "Preyer."

The Preihs name might also have evolved from other Germanic words, including "praha" which meant someone who managed things-such as land, or "preich" meaning to preach or teach.

Over the years, the name has spread from Germany to other parts of Europe, and eventually America. In the mid-19th century, several German and Austrian immigrants with the Preihs surname settled in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia.

According to records acquired by the US immigration department, the last name Preihs is now found throughout America, but particularly concentrated in the upper-Midwest and Great Plains area. There are also pockets of people with the last name in Europe, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and parts of East Europe.

Today, the Preihs name is commonly found in many places around the world. Of course some of the descendents of these original Preihs immigrants in America have adopted a different surname, but the original spelling of the last name is still widely seen today.

Variations of the surname Preihs

The surname Preihs is a German hereditary last name, derived from the Middle German word preiße which means a bailiff or magistrate of some kind. The variants of Preihs surname are various forms of the surname, which usually vary from one region to another. They include Pfriess, Pfrizes, Pfrijs, Pfrets, Prües, Preis, Preiss, Preise, Preist, Preisz, Preiß, Preussen, Prast, Press, Priess, Priest, Preiste, Pfrist and Preisler.

Preihs is also a common form of the surname in many parts of Europe. It is an occupational name, which originated during the Middle Ages in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland and Lithuania. In Germany, it can sometimes be a variation of the name ‘Fritz’, which is derived from the Middle High German word ‘Fried’ which translates as peace.

The spelling of the surname Preihs is also found in the form of Pres, Priess, Preis, Preisance, Preit, and Preiste. In the United Kingdom, this spelling is more common as it is an Anglicized version of the original German name.

In some European countries the surname Preihs has been adapted to other dialects, such as Pries. This is a Croatian adaptation of the surname, and it is also seen in Slovakia, Germany and Hungary.

In the United States, many people of German descent have adapted the spelling of the surname to Prize, which is the Americanized version of the German name.

In some parts of Europe, such as Austria and Switzerland, the Preihs surname is also spelled as Preiß, which is derived from the Middle High German word for bailiff or magistrate.

In Germany, there are also other versions of the surname, such as Prues, Pfrijs, Pfrets and Preisler, which are all variants of the same name. Preihs can also be spelled as Prast, Press and Prister, which is the archaic version of the same name. Lastly, in the Netherlands, the Preihs surname may also be spelled as Preuten.

Famous people with the name Preihs

• Andy Preihs: Andy Preihs is a retired American professional soccer player. He played for teams like the New York Cosmos and the Chicago Sting. He was part of the American team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics and he also played in the 1990 World Cup.
• Marcus Preihs: German soccer manager Marcus Preihs is currently the manager of SV Elversberg in the fourth division of the Bundesliga. Under his management, SV Elversberg advanced to the fourth division of the Bundesliga in 2018.
• George Preihs: George Preihs is a retired American football quarterback. He played for teams like the Baltimore Colts, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings and was part of a championship winning team with the Baltimore Colts.
• Melinda Preihs: Melinda Preihs is an American actress, best known for her role in the television series "Facts of Life" as well as in the movies "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and "Executioner's Song".
• Marie Preihs: Marie Preihs is a German country singer and songwriter. She is well known for her song "Schwarz Blau Grün", which is a tribute to her home country of Germany.
• Tom Preihs: Tom Preihs is an American composer and arranger. He has written and arranged music for films, television shows and stage musicals, including the Disney movie "The Little Mermaid".
• Cindy Preihs: Cindy Preihs is an American artist, known for her pastel and watercolour landscapes. Her work has been featured in numerous galleries throughout the United States and she is also a popular instructor of watercolour painting.

Other surnames

Preihskorn