Ries History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

Etymology of Ries

What does the name Ries mean?

The origin of the proud surname Ries can be traced to the historic kingdom of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. In the Middle Ages, many of the Bohemians were a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travel became more prevalent, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Ries family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. The name goes back to the mediaeval German "ris" or "risle," which meant literally "branch" or "twig,"and the surname was an occupational name for a wood carver.

Early Origins of the Ries family

The surname Ries was first found in Bohemia, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. They later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates and branches, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society. Chronicles first mention Clesse Reysse of Mainz in 1444, and Leonhart Reiser of Nuremberg in 1443. The name goes back to the mediaeval German "ris" or "risle," which meant literally "branch" or "twig." Reisser could also refer to a wood carver.

Early History of the Ries family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ries research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1606, 1645, 1870, 1897 and 1940 are included under the topic Early Ries History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ries Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Reis, Reisle (Bavaria, Swabia), Reiss, Reisse, Riess, Ries, Reise, Reisz, Reiser, Reisser, Riser, Reysse, Reys, Reyss, Rice, Ris, Risse, Rise, Risle and many more.

Early Notables of the Ries family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ries Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ries Ranking

In the United States, the name Ries is the 6,386^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Ries migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ries Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joanns Ries, aged 21, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 2
Johannes Ries, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 2
Johann Peter Ries, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1753 2
Sebs Ries, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1754 2
Conrad Ries, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ries Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Luder Ries, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 2
Konrad Ries, who landed in Mississippi in 1840 2
Heinr Peter Ries, who landed in America in 1850 2
Una Ries, aged 21, who arrived in America in 1854 2
Karl Ludw Ries, who arrived in America in 1855 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ries (post 1700) +

Al Ries (1926-2022), American marketing professional and author, co-founder and chairman of the consulting firm Ries & Ries
Henry Ries (1917-2004), German-born, American photographer who worked for New York Times, best remembered for his photograph "The Berlin Air Lift"
Christopher Ries (b. 1952), American glass sculptor
W. F. Ries, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Ohio 9th District, 1910 3
Nickolas Ries, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State Senate 31st District, 1942 3
John B. Ries (b. 1870), American politician, Member of Minnesota State Senate 21st District, 1915-18 3
Florian J. Ries, American Republican politician, Member of Wisconsin State Assembly, 1877-78 3
Elizabeth Ries, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1932 3
Pieter Hubert Ries (1802-1886), German violinist and composer
Franz Ries (1846-1932), Romantic German violinist and composer
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html