Fleiss
A metonymic occupational surname derived from the German word "Fleiss" meaning diligence or industriousness.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Fleiss. That puts it at #139,228 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fleiss surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#139,228
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
120
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 120 bearers of the surname Fleiss in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 139228th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fleiss, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.7%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fleiss
The surname Fleiss is of German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "fleiss," which means "diligence" or "industriousness." The name likely originated as a nickname for a hardworking or diligent person, which was later adopted as a hereditary surname.
In the early 14th century, the name Fleiss appeared in various records and documents from the regions of Bavaria and Swabia in southern Germany. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to around 1320, when a certain Heinrich Fleiss was mentioned in a church register in the town of Augsburg.
The Fleiss surname was also found in several medieval manuscripts and chronicles, particularly those related to the guild system and trade associations of the time. This suggests that some Fleiss families may have been involved in skilled crafts or professions that required diligence and attention to detail.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname Fleiss was Johann Fleiss (1541-1608), a German Lutheran theologian and author who served as a professor at the University of Tübingen. Another significant bearer of the name was Christoph Fleiss (1675-1745), a German composer and organist who worked in several churches and courts throughout southern Germany.
In the 18th century, the Fleiss surname gained prominence with the birth of Johann Georg Fleiss (1701-1788), a German mathematician and astronomer who made important contributions to the study of celestial mechanics. His son, Johann Friedrich Fleiss (1741-1815), followed in his footsteps and became a respected astronomer and mathematician as well.
The 19th century saw the emergence of Franz Fleiss (1819-1892), a German industrialist and entrepreneur who founded the Fleiss Steel Works in Duisburg. His company played a significant role in the industrialization of the Ruhr region and became one of the leading steel producers in Germany.
While the Fleiss surname has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, the earliest recorded examples and historical references remain strongly tied to the southern regions of Germany, particularly Bavaria and Swabia, where the name originated.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fleiss
Among Census respondents with the surname Fleiss, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.7%.
The bar chart below shows how Fleiss bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Fleiss surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fleiss surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #139,228 | #139,228 | 0.0% |
| Count | 120 | 120 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fleiss bearers went from 120 to 120 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #139,228 to #139,228.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fleiss
FAQ
Fleiss surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fleiss?
The surname Fleiss holds position #139,228 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fleiss surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fleiss, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.7%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.