Surname Preiser - Meaning and Origin
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Preiser: What does the surname Preiser mean?
The last name Preiser is of German origin and is believed to have two possible meanings. The first is derived from the Middle High German word 'bezeicher', meaning 'designator'. This could indicate that the original bearer of the name was a heraldic designator, or official who assigned coats of arms and other symbols of heraldry.
The second possible origin of the Preiser name is derived from the Middle High German word 'brisler', meaning 'scholar'. This could indicate that the original bearer of this name was an educated individual, such as a clerk, scribe, or teacher.
The Preiser surname is also known to have been used as a Jewish name, with some records indicating the family was originally from Slavic countries. In Jewish families, the origins of the name may have been more connected to the Yiddish term 'birsler', which means 'teacher'.
Regardless of origin, the name Preiser is now found in many countries around the world and is still a relatively common last name. It is a source of pride for those who bear it, providing a connection to the past and meaningful memories that can be celebrated by generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisPreiser: Where does the name Preiser come from?
Preiser is a last name of German descent that is most commonly found in Germany and parts of Austria. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the last name Preiser is rare in the United States, with less than 50 individuals bearing this name in the entire country. The last name Preiser is most concentrated in the state of California, followed by Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York.
Preiser is a patronymic name, derived from the archaic German word "Preser," meaning "priest." It was used to designate individuals belonging to clerics, probably monks, of the pre-medieval period. These individuals were likely members of some kind of monastic community or religious order. It is likely that many individuals bearing the Preiser last name today are descendants of the original pre-medieval clerics.
The Preisers are a prominent family in Germany and Austria, and many descendants of the original priests have gone on to become prominent business owners, politicians, and other well-respected public figures. The last name Preiser is still quite common among German-speaking communities, especially in Germany and parts of Austria. Furthermore, with recent immigration to the United States, more individuals bearing the Preiser name have settled in the United States, so it is likely to remain relatively rare for the foreseeable future.
Variations of the surname Preiser
The surname Preiser is highly localized with no clear etymology being known. It is possible that the name is derived from the German word 'Praser', meaning to press, referring to the surname as someone who is associated with the task of pressing something. However, there is no firm evidence in either direction.
Variants of the surname Preiser include Präiser, Preÿser, Preyser, Priesser and Prieser.
The surnames Fraiser, Frieser, Presser and Priser are also derived from the same source as the surname Preiser. These alternative spellings can be found in various documents.
The surname Preece is derived from the same source as Preiser. It is an Anglicization of the original spelling and this is why the two names are often conflated.
The surname Preise is a contraction of Preiser. It is found primarily in Luxembourg.
In Switzerland, the surname Preiser has been documented as Prieser and Preosar. In Austria, the variants Prisser and Franz have been documented. All these surnames indicate a common ancestry.
The surname Preser is also related to Preiser. This was found primarily in Germany and likely originated as an occupational name for someone who sold grain.
Due to migration and marriage, many of the variants mentioned above have also been found in the United States and Canada. Some of the citizens of these countries can trace their surnames back to the original source of the Preiser surname.
Famous people with the name Preiser
- Michael Preiser, progressive German politician
- Peter Preiser, an Austrian historian of the 19th century
- Oliver Preiser, a German artist known for expressionist bronze works
- Isaac Preiser, a rabbi and modern leader of the Frankfurt Jewish Community
- Gustav Preiser, Austrian painter in the very early 20th century
- Wolfgang Preiser, Austrian film director, editor and production designer
- Jörg Preiser, German heat researcher and professor
- Monika Preiser, Austrian Roman Catholic nun, victims' rights campaigner and former chairperson of Amnesty International
- Matija Preiser, Slovenian stage actor, director and music composer
- Carl Preiser, American surgeon and medical educator