Weiss

Weiss is a surname of German origin meaning "white." The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with a pale complexion or who wore white clothing, and it later became a hereditary surname in German-speaking regions. In German orthography, the word is written with the eszett as Weiß, but in many countries the form Weiss is used due to phonetic spelling and migration. Variants commonly encountered include Weisz (particularly in Jewish families from Central and Eastern Europe), Weis, and Weise.

Distribution and variants: Weiss is widely found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and it has spread globally through migration. In Jewish communities, the form Weisz is a common Yiddish-influenced variant. The name appears in many countries, often with local spelling adaptations.

In culture and science: The surname Weiss appears across diverse domains. In physics, the Curie–Weiss law of magnetism features a parameter known as the Weiss constant or Weiss temperature. In popular culture, Weiss is used as a surname for fictional characters, such as Weiss Schnee, a central character in the animated series RWBY.

Notable bearers: There are numerous individuals with the surname Weiss in areas such as science, arts, business, and public life. The name remains one of the more common Germanic surnames worldwide, reflecting its long history and broad geographic distribution.

See also: Weiß, a related spelling in German, and Weisz, a common Yiddish variant.