Surname Faass - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Faass: What does the surname Faass mean?
The last name Faass is a German-origin surname, originating in Bavaria. It is derived from the German word "Faas," which translates to “wine barrel" in English. This suggests that the original bearer of the name was likely a barrel maker or seller of wine.
The Faass surname can be found in records as far back as the 17th century, indicating the name is quite old by German standards. It is possible the surname was adopted by several unrelated people at different points in history, but it is likely that its origin lies in Europe.
Those who carry the Faass surname today may be descendants of the original barrel-maker, or of immigrants who bore the name with them when they came to the United States. In the US, most with the Faass surname live in the Midwest—Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa—where a large concentration of German immigrants settled.
The Faass name still represents a strong German heritage, and those who carry it today may be proud of their ancestral roots. The name is still sparsely distributed, but odds are that if one encounters another Faass in their life—they're probably distant relatives.
Order DNA origin analysisFaass: Where does the name Faass come from?
The last name Faass is a German surname that is most commonly found in Germany today. It is also widespread in parts of Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, and can be found in smaller pockets the United States.
Faass is a habitational name derived from the Old German word "fasse" meaning "pool," indicating that the earliest people to use the name originally lived near a pool or pond.
History records that the Faass family first appeared in the region of Hesse in Central Germany in the 13th century. As Christianity spread in the area, the Faass family spread into neighboring states. The family name and its variations took many changes over the centuries, as members of the family moved around or changed their spelling of the name.
As Germany's borders changed over time, so did the migration patterns of the Faass family. Those who remained in Germany maintained their traditional spelling of the name, while those who relocated to other countries have spelled their surname in a variety of ways. This may explain why the name is still found in America today, with some spellings including "Fass," "Fahss," "Fahs," and "Voss."
Variations of the surname Faass
The surname Faass has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of Faass are Fass, Fasse, Fasss, Fahss, Fahs, Fais, and Faes. The Dutch spelling for Faass is Faus.
The variants and spellings of Faass all originate from the Germanic word “Vasconia” or “Faschen”, which means “to ward off” or “protect”. This could refer to a protective wall, a bodyguard, or a weapon. It is thought that the Faass surname may have been given to individuals who were adept at warfare, as the name was also used to describe a sharp blade.
The Faass surname is also slightly associated with patronymic surnames, which are derived from the first name of the father, often preceded by a prefix. For example, Fass could be a variation of the surname Faschinger, which originates from the given name Faschinger.
Variations of the Faass surname can be found throughout Europe, with the highest concentrations in Germany, France, Austria, and the Netherlands. The Faass surname can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world which have immigration records from Europe.
Overall, the Faass surname has multiple variants and spellings that have their origin in the German language. The surname is associated with protecting, guarding, and sharp blades. It has spread throughout Europe and is now found around the world.
Famous people with the name Faass
- Max Faass, an American professional baseball pitcher
- Paul Faass, the former CEO of the world-renowned Bvlgari jewellery company
- Nathan Faass, a Canadian sprint canoer
- Jan Faass, a Dutch cyclist
- John Faass, a US Army Major General
- Billy Faass, a former American football player
- Marijke Faass, a Dutch fashion model
- Luke Faass, an American racing driver
- Barbara Faass, a German historian and author
- Ann Faass, an American Christian author and speaker