Find out how popular the last name Giess is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Giess.

Giess, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Giess surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Giess in America

Giess is the 117480th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Giess surname appeared 148 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Giess.

We can also compare 2010 data for Giess to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Giess

The surname Giess is of German origin, with its roots traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "giezen," meaning "to pour" or "to cast," suggesting a potential association with occupations related to metalworking or foundry work.

In the early Middle Ages, surnames were not widely used, and people were primarily identified by their given names or descriptive nicknames. As the population grew and the need for more distinct identification arose, occupational surnames became prevalent, and Giess likely emerged as a surname during this period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Giess can be found in the town records of Nuremberg, Germany, dating back to the 14th century. These records document the presence of individuals bearing the surname Giess, possibly indicating their involvement in metalworking or related trades.

During the 15th century, the Giess surname gained further prominence, with several notable individuals emerging. Hans Giess, a renowned goldsmith and metalworker, was born in Augsburg, Germany, in 1432. His intricate and exquisite works were highly sought after by noble patrons throughout Europe.

The 16th century saw the rise of Johannes Giess, a prominent scholar and theologian born in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1525. His writings on religious philosophy and his advocacy for educational reforms had a significant impact on the intellectual discourse of his time.

In the 17th century, the Giess surname was associated with the town of Gießen, located in the state of Hesse, Germany. This town's name, derived from the same Old German root as the surname, further reinforces the connection between the name and metalworking or foundry activities.

One notable bearer of the Giess surname during this period was Wilhelm Giess, a skilled metalworker and artisan who lived in Nuremberg from 1620 to 1687. His intricate wrought-iron works adorned many churches and public buildings in the city, and his masterpieces are still admired today.

The 18th century saw the emergence of Friedrich Giess, a renowned military commander and strategist born in Berlin, Germany, in 1738. His tactical prowess and leadership during the Seven Years' War earned him recognition and honors from various European monarchs.

As the centuries progressed, the Giess surname continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from scholars and artists to entrepreneurs and professionals, further reinforcing its rich historical legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Giess

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Giess.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Giess was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Giess has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Giess was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Giess, please contact us.

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