Surname Vess - Meaning and Origin
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Vess: What does the surname Vess mean?
The origin of the last name Vess is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be of either English or Germanic origin. The spelling of the name has changed over time and is believed to have originated from the Old French given name Vassal, which had a number of different forms including Vasel, Vassel, and Vesel. The name is thought to have been adopted in England during the late Middle Ages, when names derived from Latin were commonly adopted in this fashion.
The meaning of the name Vess is believed to be related to the word “vassal”, which is used to describe a person subject to a feudal lord. Vassals were typically lower-ranking noblemen or landholders who were subject to a higher ranking nobleman and had duties and obligations to fulfil in return for their protection and landholdings. Alternatively, some people believe that the name Vess may be derived from a diminutive form of the Germanic given name Vere, which in turn derives from the Latin “verus”, meaning “true” or “genuine”.
The name Vess is today found predominantly in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany, as well as other countries with Germanic or British influences. It is especially common among those whose ancestors migrated to the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. It may have taken on other spellings over time, such as Vesser, Veasey, Vessey, and Vest.
Order DNA origin analysisVess: Where does the name Vess come from?
The last name Vess is most commonly found in the United States today. It is an Americanized spelling of a German surname, originally spelled to be Weß. It is also seen spelled Weiss, Von Weiss, Vess, Van Vess, Voss, Vos, and Van Voast.
The surname Vess is most prevalent in the state of North Dakota, followed by Wisconsin and then Virginia. Among cities, the top 10 with the highest population of Vess' are Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Madison, Houston, Milwaukee, Austin, Chicago, and Oceanside.
Vess is a fairly rare name in the U.S., with only about 6,000 people in the nation having the last name. The largest concentration of Vess' are of German descent, followed by those of Irish and English descent. The earliest recorded Vess ancestor in America was Mathias Weß, who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1750.
This surname also has Dutch and Scandinavian origins, having come into the U.S. through Canada and other parts of Europe. The Vess name is likely derived from an Old German term for ‘west’ or ‘westerner’, indicating the family’s outward migration from central Germany.
The surname Vess has enjoyed a long history in America, with its origins in Germany still being felt today. It can be found in many cities in the U.S., particularly in the northwest, and can be traced back to a family’s journey of migration centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Vess
The surname Vess is most commonly found in the West Germanic countries, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, and the Nordic countries. Variations of the surname include Vesse, Vesser, Vesse, Vessers, weeVess, and Vessersen. In some cases, the spelling has been changed due to phonetic spelling of the surname, for instance, Vees or Vais.
Vesse is a variant that has emerged in the Netherlands, while Vees or Vais is most often found in Germany. Vesser is a variation found mainly in the Netherlands as well as a less common spelling in Germany, with Vessers being more popular in Germany. The spelling WeeVess is found in the Netherlands, Germany, and the Nordic countries. Meanwhile, Vessersen is a Dutch variation of the name.
The surname is also associated with several other surnames including Vester, Vesterholm, Vesely, Veselka, Veselinović, Veselica, and Vess. Vester is a diminutive of the name found in the Netherlands and Germany. Vesterholm is a variation mainly found in Norway while Veselka and Veselica are derivatives of the surname found throughout Eastern Europe, particularly in Slavic countries. Vesely is a Czech and Slovak variation of the surname and Veselinović is a variation found in Serbia.
In summary, the surname Vess has many variations and spellings, all of which can be traced back to the same origin. Although the most common variations are Vesse, Vesse, Vesser, Vessers, weeVess, and Vessersen, the surname is also associated with Vester, Vesterholm, Vesely, Veselka, Veselinović, Veselica, and Vess.
Famous people with the name Vess
- Emma Vess: Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Greatest Explorers of 2019.
- Chris Vess: American music composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter.
- Pete Vess: Actor whose work includes roles in the films 12 Years a Slave (2013), The Butler (2013), and Finding Neverland (2004).
- Ryan Vess: Professional golfer who qualified for the 2020 U.S. Open.
- Alycia Vess: A motivational speaker and executive coach.
- Taylor Vess: Professional soccer player for the National Women's Soccer League's Portland Thorns FC.
- Robert Vess: Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Spanish at the University of Rochester.
- Avon J. Vess: Former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
- Kyle Vess: Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer.
- Lou Vess: American songwriter known for his work as a staff songwriter for Warner Chappell Music Nashville.