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Last Name Flis

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What is the origin of the last name Flis?

The surname Flis is primarily of Polish and Slavic origin. It derives from a personal name which was popular among these ethnic groups, likely meaning "happy" or "joyful." The name could also be associated with various Slavic words for fish, as it is not uncommon for surnames to originate from occupations or characteristics. The name's spelling may have variations due to transliteration and migration throughout history.
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The meaning and origin of the last name Flis

The surname Flis is of Slavic origin, specifically associated with Eastern European countries such as Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. It is derived from the personal name Filipp (Philip) or Filip (Philip), which is biblically inspired. The name Philip means "lover of horses" in Greek. Over time, as families adopted the patronymic naming system, the name of a father or grandfather would be used as a surname to distinguish one family from another. In this case, the surname Flis emerged from the Slavic adaptation of the name Filip. The spread and variation of the surname Flis can be attributed to historical events such as migrations, invasions, and cultural assimilation.

Geographical distribution of the last name Flis

The surname Flis is predominantly found in Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and Ukraine, where it originates from. It's also present in smaller numbers in neighboring countries such as Belarus, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In Poland, the name is most common in regions like Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, and Lubelskie. In Ukraine, it's concentrated in Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. The Flis surname is less frequent but can be found in other European countries due to migration patterns over the centuries. For instance, there are Flis families in Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Variants and spellings of the last name Flis

The surname Flis, while primarily of Polish origin, can exhibit various spellings and pronunciations due to transliteration, regional dialects, or personal preferences. Here are some common variations:

1. Flies - This spelling is less common but is a phonetic variation of the original name.
2. Flees - Another rare variant, though it is more commonly used as a verb meaning 'to run away' in English.
3. Fliess - A Germanized version of the surname.
4. Fliesse - A less common spelling that can be found among people of Polish descent.
5. Fleiß - The Austrian or Swiss German variation of the name.
6. Fleisz - Another variant, though it is less common and may not be encountered frequently.
7. Fleissig - Meaning 'full of fleas' in Yiddish, this could have been a derogatory nickname for someone with many lice, and later adopted as a surname by some Jewish families.
8. Vlis, Fless, Flisz - These are less common variations found among the Polish diaspora or due to misinterpretations in different languages.

Famous people with the last name Flis

Notable individuals with the surname Flis include:

1. **Michal Flis** - A Polish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Polish club Lech Poznań and the Poland national team. He is known for his versatility, playing both center-back and full-back positions.

2. **Roman Flis** - A Polish actor, best recognized for his roles in films such as "Three Colors: White" (1994) by Krzysztof Kieślowski and "The Promised Land" (2013) by Agnieszka Holland.

3. **Piotr Flis** - A Polish footballer who plays for Belgian club Royal Excel Mouscron as a goalkeeper. He has represented Poland at various youth levels, including the U-21 team.

4. **Józef Flis** - A Polish architect and urban planner who served as the mayor of Łódź between 1950 and 1968. Under his leadership, Łódź experienced significant urban development and modernization.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in Poland and beyond.

Genealogical research on the last name Flis

The surname Flis originates from Slavic-speaking regions, primarily Poland and Ukraine. The name can be traced back to various historical records in these countries. In Poland, the earliest recorded instance of the surname is found in the 14th century in regions such as Silesia, Mazovia, and Lesser Poland. The name Flis in Poland often derives from the occupation of a blacksmith (kowal in Polish) or from the topographic name for someone who lived near a mill (młyn in Polish). In Ukraine, the surname appears to have a similar Slavic origin, potentially indicating a blacksmith or mill-related occupations. Notable figures with the Flis surname include artists, politicians, and scholars across Poland, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries, suggesting a diverse history and wide dispersal of the name.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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