Zeis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

There are a few possible derivations for the Zeis surname. In some instances, it may have evolved from the Middle High German word "zeisen" meaning "to pick," in which case it may have been an occupational name, or perhaps used figuratively as a nickname which later became a surname. Or, Zeis may come from the Middle High German word "zeiz" meaning "graceful, tender or gentle."

Early Origins of the Zeis family

The surname Zeis was first found in Wuerttemberg, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Chronicles first mention Konrad Zeisolf of Mannheim in 1307, Ebelin Zeizolf of the ancient imperial city of Worms in 1234, and there is a town in Wuerttemberg called Zeizolfswiler.

Early History of the Zeis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Zeis research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1818, 1846 and 1888 are included under the topic Early Zeis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Zeis Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Zeiss, Zeisse, Zeis, Zaiss, Zaisse, Zais, Zaissle, Zeissle, Zeissler, Zeissolf, Zeizolf, Zaiser, Zaisz, Zaisser, Zeiz and many more.

Early Notables of the Zeis family

Notables with the surname Zeis during this period were

Carl Zeiss (1818-1888), an optician, who founded a world-famous manufacturing company of optical equipment in 1846

Zeis migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Zeis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andreas Zeis, who arrived in New York, NY in 1782 1

Zeis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Martin Zeis, who landed in Maryland in 1820 1
Adam Zeis, aged 40, who landed in St Louis, Missouri in 1845 1
Mr. Josef Zeis, aged 16, German settler who arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Belgenland" 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Zeis (post 1700) +

Harold S. Zeis, American politician, Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1963-71 3

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Germans to America retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from Glazier, Ira. A., and Filby, P. William. Germans to America: Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports. Vol. 62, Scholarly Resources Inc, 2132
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html