Surname Reuss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
“An Emotional Journey of Discovery: Unraveling my Family Lineage through iGENEA.”
Resorting to iGENEA's DNA test to delve into my family lineage, I was swept by a whirlpool of emotions. Though confronted with apprehensions initially, the results provided clarity and formed a robust emotional connection with my history, my identity and the meaning of my surname, "Reuss".
E. Reuss
read moreReuss: What does the surname Reuss mean?
The last name Reuss is a German/ Swiss name derived from the word "Reuss," which means "river." It is thought to have originated from a place name on the banks of a river. It likely began as a surname for people living near a particular river.
The name has several geographical forms throughout Europe, including the German city of Reuss and the German county of Reuss-Greiz. Originally, the name Reuss was connected to influential families of the nobility, particularly in the Middle Ages.
The two most famous members of the House of Reuss were Count Henry Reuss of Schleitz (1768-1834) and Heinrich XIII, Prince Reuss of Greiz (1779-1859). Both worked to expand the family’s power and influence and rose to prominence in German politics.
Today, the name Reuss is still popular in Germany and Switzerland. It is associated with business-minded people, such as the Engelhorn family, who modernized their clothing retail business over the last few decades.
The name Reuss may also be found in Jewish communities scattered across Europe, as many Jewish families adopted the name in the 19th century. Ultimately, the name Reuss symbolizes the convergence of tradition and power. As a result, it is still widely popular and often associated with aristocratic German families and business-minded individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisReuss: Where does the name Reuss come from?
The last name Reuss is most commonly found in Germany, where it is among the top 300 or so surnames. It is also found in Switzerland and Austria. It is believed to be of Germanic origin, either a form of the Swiss-German name Röss, or deriving from the German word ‘Reusse’, meaning ‘proud’ or ‘vigorous’. It is likely that the name was adopted in the Middle Ages as a status symbol for those of noble birth.
Outside of Germany and its neighbors, the name Reuss is not particularly common. It can be found in England, Norway, the Netherlands, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The majority of people with this last name outside of Germany are likely to have German ancestry.
As with most surnames, variations in the spelling of Reuss will occur, ranging from Reus, Reusser to Ruess, Reusse, Roos and so on. Common variations on the name are found most frequently in the US, where it is spelled as Reuss, Reusse and Roos.
The name is not particularly prominent in any field, with notable people throughout the ages bearing the name ranging from German royalty to politicians, sportswomen and musicians.
Variations of the surname Reuss
The surname Reuss has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations of this surname can be written in a number of ways, with many of them based on geographical locations and spelling variations. These include:
Reus, Reusser, Rues, Rueß, Ruesch, Rueße, Rüscher, Rus, Reuss, Reich, Rich, Rico, and Ricken.
The surname Reuss can be of German, Swiss-German, and Jewish origins. The German version originates from Germany as it is based upon the Latin word “Rivo”, which means rushing river.
The Swiss-German version came from the Reuss region of Switzerland and is usually spelled as Reusser, Rues, or Rueß. Meanwhile, the Ashkenazi Jewish version can be spelled as Reuss, Reich, Rich, Rico, and Ricken and was likely adopted by Jews who relocated to Germany from other parts of Europe.
In any case, the surname and its variations are associated with noble and upper-class families. It has been adopted by many prominent figures throughout history, including Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, Empress Alexandra of Russia, and Princess Louise of Prussia.
Famous people with the name Reuss
- 1.Prince Heinrich XXXIX Reuss of Köstritz: He is a prinz of the House of Reuss and a titular head of the House of Reuss. 2.Heinrich XXVII Reuss of Köstritz: He is an German aristocrat and a titular head of the House of Reuss.
- Prince Heinrich XLVIII Reuss of Köstritz: He is a prinz of the House of Reuss and a titular head of the House of Reuss.
- Hans-Dieter Reuss: He is a retired professional tennis player from Germany.
- Reuss of Plauen: They are a branch of the House of Reuss who held the Countship of Plauen from 1645 to 1918.
- Henry Reuss: He is a former U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.
- Kris Reuss: He is an American materials scientist.
- Wilbur Reuss: He is a former professional baseball player and executive in Major League Baseball.
- Princess Irene Reuss of Köstritz: She is a princess of the House of Reuss.
- Lady Gabriela Reuss: She is the daughter of Princess Anne of Bavaria and Frederic, Prince Reuss Younger Line.