Zeis

Zeis is a surname of German origin. In standard German the corresponding form is Zeiß, written with the ß; in many English-language contexts the name appears as Zeiss or Zeis depending on transcription. The spelling Zeis without the diacritic or with a simplified form can arise through transliteration, historical usage, or regional variation.

The precise etymology of Zeis is not clearly documented in widely available references. Like many German surnames, it may be related to personal names, nicknames, or toponymic elements, but specific derivations for Zeis have not been established in authoritative sources.

Geographic and demographic patterns for Zeis reflect broader German-speaking surname distributions. The name is found among people of German heritage and their descendants in Europe and in diaspora communities, including North America, where bearers pursue a wide range of professions.

Zeis is distinct from Zeiss, a well-known surname associated with the German optics company founded by Carl Zeiss. Because of the close spelling, Zeis is sometimes confused with Zeiss, so careful attention to spelling is important in biographical and historical research.