Surname Feriss - Meaning and Origin

Feriss: What does the surname Feriss mean?

The last name of FERISS is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word “fers” which meant “brave” or “bold”. The name became popular after the crusades of the eleventh - twelfth centuries in Germany; there are various spellings of this name. It is believed that the FERISS name originally designated a noble family who distinguished itself by its strength and courage in battle.

The surname FERISS has also been associated with other cultures and languages, such as French, where FERRI stands for “iron” and was a surname for those in the ironworking industry. In Italy, the surname is associated with the Latin word “ferire” (to strike) and was likely given to soldiers who struck fear into their enemies on the battlefield.

In England the surname appeared in various spellings such as Ffirris, Ffirys and Ffiriss. The Ff prefix is associated with the word “feer”, which means “man”, and was likely given to men of the higher social class, or to those considered to be heroes in battle.

Today, the FERISS surname is still popular in Germany, France, England, and other countries around the world. The surname also carries the symbols of courage, strength, and heroic deeds, capturing the spirit of those brave individuals who have borne the name FERISS throughout the centuries.

Feriss: Where does the name Feriss come from?

The last name Feriss is most commonly found in the United States. Specifically, it is most often found in states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Illinois. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the most recent figures show that the Feriss surname is found most often in the Midwest. Of the states listed, Pennsylvania has the highest number of people with the last name Feriss.

In addition to the United States, the last name Ferris can also be found in countries of European descent, such as Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Germany, and Austria. The spelling of the surname often varies slightly, due to different regional dialects and pronunciation.

The Ferris family tree can be traced back to 11th century Scotland and Ireland, where the family originated. They were descended from the ancient Celtic people of Ulster and later became a prominent part of the Protestant Planters in Ireland, during the 17th century. Some members of the family migrated to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Given all these clues, one can expect to find a good number of people who bear the Ferris surname in the United States, as well as other countries of European descent.

Variations of the surname Feriss

The surname Feriss is a French-Peirce origin surname. It is one of the many surnames derived from the French personal name Féraud. Similarly to other French-origin names, Feriss is often seen in different spellings or variants when examining records in various English-speaking countries. Some of the variations of Feriss include Ferris, Ferrez, Farriss, Ferriss, Ferhesse, Ferasse, Ferise, Ferisc, Ferisse, and Feridge.

In France, Feriss may appear as Féraud or Fürst. For instance, the French historian and genealogist, Louis Fursy (also known as Féraud) bears the surname Féraud which is of the same origin as Feriss.

Most of the time, the surname Feriss can also be found under variations in spelling in other countries, such as the United States and Britain. Common spellings of the surname can include Ferris and Farriss. People bearing the surname Ferris may have ancestors which immigrated to England during the Huguenot emigration during the 1600s and 1700s. In the United States, it is possible to find French-influenced spellings of Feriss such as Ferrez, Furriss, Ferrase, Ferrise and others.

The surname Feriss is found mainly in France, England, Scotland and North America, although it may also be found in other countries such as Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. In addition, Feriss may appear in records as a patronymic surname, which indicates that the bearer is the son of his father, usually rendered as "son of Feriss". The patronymic form of Feriss can appear in records as Ferrison or Ferissoun.

Famous people with the name Feriss

• John Ferris, a singer and songwriter
• William Ferris, an American folklorist, educator, and filmmaker
• Alexander Ferris, an American lawyer and politician
• Amanda Ferris, a Canadian actress
• Danny Ferris, an American actor
• Jeff Ferris, an American baseball player
• Lewis Ferris, an American politician
• Margaret Ferris, a British-American artist
• Miles Ferris, an American businessman
• Millard Ferris, an American preacher
• Nathan Ferris, an American academic, author and inventor
• Quentin Ferris, an Australian author
• Reuben Ferris, an American politician
• Robert Ferris, an American professor
• Roger Ferris, an American former Army officer and intelligence operative
• Toby Ferris, an American musical director and composer
• Will Ferris, an American professional painter and muralist
• William E. Ferris Jr., an American lawyer, professor, and civil rights activist

Other surnames

Feris