Surname Preus - Meaning and Origin
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Preus: What does the surname Preus mean?
The last name Preus is an ancient Scandinavian name with Norwegian and Danish origins. The root of this surname is derived from an old Norse word meaning “priest”. This is thought to be due to the Preus family having a long-established clerical background in Scandinavia.
The earliest recorded use of the Preus name was in 1286 in Norway when a Preus family member was mentioned in a court document. The Preus name saw its greatest growth during the 1600s and spread beyond Norway to Denmark and other nearby countries.
Today, the Preus name is still common in Scandinavian countries, especially in Norway, where it can often be seen in urban and rural areas alike. More recently, it has also begun to spread to countries around the world due to immigration.
The Preus name is a symbol of long-standing history and a reminder of the strong ties between Scandinavia and its shared heritage. Whether in Norway, Denmark, or elsewhere, the Preus name will continue to remain a testament to the spirit and strength of the Scandinavian people.
Order DNA origin analysisPreus: Where does the name Preus come from?
The last name Preus is most largely found in Germany, as it is a German surname. The United States has seen a rise in use of the surname Preus over the last century, with immigrants from Germany likely responsible for bringing the name with them. Chances are, if you have encountered someone with the last name Preus, they are of German heritage.
According to Geneanet, the Preus surname is in the top 100 in Hessen, Saxony, Bavaria and North Rhine Westphalia, all German states. The rest of Europe is home to smaller numbers of Preus', with Germany clearly having the largest population with this last name.
In the United States, it is a relatively uncommon name. A study in 2020 by WebRepeat showed that the Preus family is the 6,728th most popular family name in the country. While this ranking may make it seem very rare, it is actually more common than other German family names, such as Oehler,Von Mertens and Jugeler. The Preus family is well spread throughout the United States, with the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and California having the highest numbers.
So while the last name Preus is not the most common of surnames, it is not a very rare surname either. With such a long and proud history in Germany, it is no wonder that the Preus family have scattered and found new homes around the world.
Variations of the surname Preus
The surname Preus is a German-origin name meaning "proud" or "prince" depending on the spelling. It is derived from the Old High German preus ("proud") or preiß("prince").
Common variants of the surname Preus include Preuss, Preusse, Preuß, Preece, Priess, Preis, Preiss, Preyce, Price, Pryse, Pres, and Pris. These variations are generally attributable either to regional differences in pronunciation or to changes made by the individual bearers of the Preus name in order to better fit a language in which they were living and working.
There are a variety of surnames which are derived from the same Old High German roots as Preus. These include Parish, Paris, Parrish, Pearish, Pearce, Pearcey, Preist, Prest, Precht, Pracht, and Prise. While Parish and Pearce are quite common in the United Kingdom, variants of the name are found in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In conclusion, the surname Preus is derived from the Old High German preus or preiß, and is found in a variety of variants and spellings. There is also a range of other surnames which are derived from the same root, including Parish and Pearce.
Famous people with the name Preus
- Carl Preus (1861–1919), American politician
- Frederick Preus (1897–1987), American Lutheran bishop
- Karen Preus (1920−2004), Norwegian politician
- Mary Preus (born 1951), American artist
- Peter Preus (born 1951), American Lutheran pastor
- Elizabeth Preus (born 1954), American Lutheran pastor
- John Preus (born 1967), American artist
- Doug Preus (born 1970), American Lutheran pastor
- Lori Preus (born 1971), American Lutheran pastor
- Chase Delano Preus (born 1999), American actor