Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Ries

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Ries?

The surname Ries is of German origin. It is derived from a geographical name, meaning "clearings" or "meadows" in German, and was originally used to identify someone who lived in such an area. This name can also be found in other European countries where German-speaking populations settled, such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The spelling variations of this surname include Reis, Reiss, Riess, Riese, and Ryss.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ries

The meaning and origin of the last name Ries

The surname Ries is primarily of Germanic origin, derived from various places named Ries or Rheis in Germany. These place names often stem from the Middle High German word "Rīz" meaning ' Ridge' or 'Elevated Land', reflecting their geographical locations, which are characterized by hilly terrains. The surname Ries can also be found among the Alsatian people, a German-speaking ethnic group in Eastern France, where it may have originated from the French word "Rhais" meaning 'Rush' or 'Reed'. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved to include various forms such as Reis, Riess, and Ryss. The surname Ries is distributed worldwide today, particularly in Germany, the United States, and other Germanic countries, reflecting the historical migration patterns of its bearers.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ries

The surname Ries is predominantly found in Germany, where it originated as a topographic name for someone who lived on a clearing (Ried) or a rural settlement. A significant concentration of people with the last name Ries can be found in the Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria regions of modern-day Germany. The name has also spread to other parts of Europe, particularly neighboring countries such as Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands due to historical migration patterns. A smaller number of individuals with this surname can be found in North America, primarily among German immigrants who settled there during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ries

The surname Ries, derived from Germanic roots, has several variants and spellings. Some common spelling variations include Reis, Reese, Rhees, Reise, Reyse, Ryss, Ryeys, Riez, Riese, and Riyce. These variations may arise due to differences in transliteration from German to other languages, regional dialects within Germany, or simple spelling mistakes over time. Regardless of the specific spelling, they all stem from the original German name Ries, which can mean "riches" or "wealth." This surname has been borne by numerous notable individuals in various fields, such as music, science, and art, further adding to its historical significance.

Famous people with the last name Ries

Robert W. B. Ries is a notable figure in the field of psychology and marketing, best known as the co-creator of the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) model, a fundamental concept in advertising and sales. He collaborated with Eugene L. Jacoby to develop this theory. On the other hand, Malcolm Ries, born in 1946, is a renowned theoretical physicist. He contributed significantly to the field of condensed matter physics, particularly in the study of superconductivity. His work has led to several important discoveries and theoretical breakthroughs. Lastly, Maria Ries is an American film and television actress who gained prominence for her roles in "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Murder, She Wrote." Her career spans over four decades, making her a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Genealogical research on the last name Ries

The surname Ries is of German origin, derived from the Old High German "rizz" or Middle High German "risse," meaning "ridge." It is one of the earliest recorded German surnames, first appearing in official documents during the High Middle Ages (11th-12th centuries). One notable early bearer was Rizo de Rises, a noble mentioned in documents from Luneburg, Germany, in 1140. The family name spread throughout various regions of Germany, particularly in Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, due to migrations during the Middle Ages. Over time, variations such as Reis, Rieß, and Ryss emerged due to spelling inconsistencies in early record keeping. The Ries family migrated to other European countries, including Switzerland, Austria, and France, before reaching America with the influx of German immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. In North America, Ries is most prevalent in regions settled by German populations, such as Pennsylvania and Texas.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

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.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Rieb

Last name • surnames > rieb

The surname Rieb has roots in German language and originates from several different regions in Germany. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German "reve" meanin...

#2 Riebbels

Last name • surnames > riebbels

The surname Riebbels is believed to have German origins. It's a variant of the Old High German name "Ribaldo" or "Riedbold," which meant "bold on the ridges" or "bold ruler." Over ...

#3 Riechert

Last name • surnames > riechert

The surname Riechert is of German origin. It is derived from a medieval occupational name for a vine dresser, from Middle High German "richar" meaning "to prune" or "to dress." Var...

#4 Riedel

Last name • surnames > riedel

The surname Riedel is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "riedel" or "riedele," which means "a small branch" or "tender sprout." This name likely orig...

#5 Riedemann

Last name • surnames > riedemann

The surname Riedemann is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "ridan," which means to ride, and "mann," meaning man or warrior. Hence, a person with this s...

#6 Rieder

Last name • surnames > rieder

The surname Rieder is of German and Swiss origins, deriving from various places named Ried in Germany (such as in Bavaria) and Switzerland (such as in Aargau). It is a topographic ...

#7 Riedrich

Last name • surnames > riedrich

The surname Riedrich is of German origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically from various locations named "Ried" in Germany and Austria. The name "Ried" itself comes fro...

#8 Riedweg

Last name • surnames > riedweg

The surname Riedweg is of Swiss origin, specifically from the German-speaking region of Switzerland. It is a topographic name derived from Old High German "ried" meaning "clearing"...

#9 Rieff

Last name • surnames > rieff

The surname Rieff is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "refe," which means a clearing or open space in a forest. This name was originally a topograph...

#10 Riegler

Last name • surnames > riegler

The surname "Riegler" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "riger," meaning "violent" or "warrior." The name likely originated as a nickname or occup...

#11 Riemer

Last name • surnames > riemer

The last name Riemer is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German word "rim" meaning "boundary" or "edge" and the suffix "er", indicating a profession or occupation....

#12 Riene

Last name • surnames > riene

The last name "Riene" originates from France and is a variant of the surname "Reine," which means "queen" in French. It is likely a nickname or a surname given to someone who behav...

#13 Riepl

Last name • surnames > riepl

The surname Riepl is of German origin. It is derived from a number of possible sources. One possibility is that it originated as an occupational name for a weaver, from the Old Hig...

#14 Riera

Last name • surnames > riera

The surname Riera is primarily of Spanish and Catalan origin. It is derived from a place-name, originating either from a specific location named Riera (meaning "stream" or "riverbe...

#15 Riera-ayats

Last name • surnames > riera-ayats

The surname Riera-Ayats is a Spanish composite surname, composed of two distinct elements, each having its own origins. 1. Riera: This surname originates from several places in Sp...