Surname Maus - Meaning and Origin
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Shepherding Through History With a DNA Test: An Excursion Into the Depths of My Surname 'Maus'
Starting as pure curiosity about my family name, my experience with iGENEA's DNA analysis ended up as an enlightening journey through centuries. What initially commenced as an inquisitiveness has now formed a complex, enriching narrative, changing the way I perceive my surname - Maus.
S. Maus
read moreMaus: What does the surname Maus mean?
The last name Maus is of German origin, and it translates to "mouse" in English. It was often used as a nickname in the Middle Ages for someone considered timid or quiet, similarly to the characteristics often associated with a mouse. However, it might also have been used ironically for a large or powerful individual. As a surname, Maus may have originated as a way to differentiate individuals in larger communities, especially in cases where many people had the same first name. It is also possible that the name was used to denote someone who lived in a house or area known by the sign of a mouse. Like many surnames, interpretation may vary based on regional dialects and historical context. Despite its rather humble implications, people with the surname Maus have made significant contributions to various fields over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMaus: Where does the name Maus come from?
The last name Maus has its origins in Germany. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "mus" which means "mouse." It was likely used as a nickname for someone who was timid or insignificant or lived in a house identified by the sign of a mouse.
Over time, many German names were exported to other countries, sometimes through immigration, and sometimes through the influence of German-speaking minorities in other countries. Therefore, the name Maus can now be found in various locations around the world, throughout the United States, Canada, and other parts of Europe. However, it remains most common in Germany. In other countries, it is typically found among those of German descent, or in communities that have a significant amount of German influence on their culture or history.
It’s important to note that surname distribution can change over generations due to migration, cultural assimilation and other factors. Therefore, where a surname is most common today does not necessarily indicate where it originated.
Variations of the surname Maus
The surname Maus has various spellings, variants, and related surnames, and is of German origin. Variants and alternate spellings may include Mause, Mauss, Mausse, Maüs, Maús, Maas, Mouse, and Moss. Maus is also commonly found with additional suffixes such as -mann, or -son, which denote "son of" or "descendant of," resulting in names such as Mausmann and Mausson.
It should be noted that related surnames from the same origin can also be based on location, occupation or another characteristic, reflected in names like Mauser, from the German "maus" (mouse) and "er" denoting origin (someone coming from a place associated with mice), or Maushardt, a compound surname possibly of a place and "hard" meaning strongly associated with.
Additionally, the surname has been changed by descendants in different countries due to localization, for example in English speaking countries it could take the form of Mouse or Moss, while in France Mousse is a variation. However, these local variations may have much different meanings and origins in their countries, and it is possible for families with these surnames to not be related to families with the Maus surname.
Famous people with the name Maus
- Sophia Maus: an American model, actress, and activist.
- Ken Maus: an American entrepreneur and real estate developer.
- LObject Maus: a French artist and filmmaker who is known for his use of experimental video art.
- Robert Maus: a German-American composer, songwriter, and conductor.
- Ruth Maus: a Canadian writer and poet whose work has been published in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
- Rainer Maus: a German physicist and professor of physics at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
- Maggie Mae Maus: an American actress and comedian.
- Julius Maus: a German-American educator and public servant who was the first Principal of the German-English Academy in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Brett Maus: an American saxophonist, composer, and arranger.
- Frederick Maus: an American architect who was a founding member of the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects.