First found in East Friesland, out of which the name quickly spread across the northern coastlands of Germany, in particular to Holstein and Mecklenburg. The name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. The variations Dose and Dohse were found particularly frequently in Nordelbingen, as well as throughout Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. In the middle ages, Dose became quite popular as a first name among knights. Chronicles mention, for instance, the knight Dose Block of Holstein in 1371. Chronicles also mention the figure Doso von Helle, who owned the village Dosenbeck near Preetz in Holstein. Its use as a last name may have stemmed from the area in East Friesland where the Dose river flows into the Ems.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Daniel Doss, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1754. Bernhart Doss came to Philadelphia in 1764; while Johann Martin Doser and Michael Doser both arrived in Philadelphia in 1752. Lucas Doser came to Philadelphia in 1860.

For more information on the last name Doss, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.