Wyss

Wyss is a surname of Swiss origin, most common in German-speaking parts of Switzerland. It is borne by a number of individuals and by institutions named for people with the surname.

Notable individuals include Hansjörg Wyss, a Swiss businessman and philanthropist, founder of the medical device company Synthes and a major donor to scientific and conservation causes through the Wyss Foundation.

Institutions and organizations linked to the name include the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, established with support from Hansjörg Wyss to advance research at the interface of biology and engineering. The Wyss Foundation, also named for Hansjörg Wyss, funds projects in conservation, global health, and education.

In Swiss onomastics, Wyss is one of several surnames derived from Germanic roots; the spelling Wyss is common in Swiss records and may vary with historical spellings such as Wyß.