This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Biss family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Biss Family History

Biss Surname Meaning

English: from Middle English bis ‘brownish or dark gray’ (Old French bis) denoting someone with a dark complexion or who wore dark clothing.

South German: nickname for a cutting sarcastic person from Biss ‘bite’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Biss family from?

You can see how Biss families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Biss family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Biss families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 159 Biss families living in Somerset. This was about 32% of all the recorded Biss's in United Kingdom. Somerset had the highest population of Biss families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Biss surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Biss ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, House Decorator and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Biss. 13% of Biss men worked as a House Decorator and 73% of Biss women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Biss were Railway Clerk and Housekeeper.

View Census Data for Biss | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • House Decorator
    13%
  • General Labourer
    8%
  • Railway Porter (heavy Worker)
    5%
  • Railway Clerk
    5%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    73%
  • Housewife
    4%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Housekeeper
    3%

What Biss family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 16,000 census records available for the last name Biss. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Biss census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Biss

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Biss. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Biss immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Biss. For the veterans among your Biss ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Biss military records

You've only scratched the surface of Biss family history

Discover More

What is the average Biss lifespan?

Between 1950 and 2004, in the United States, Biss life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1950, and highest in 1971. The average life expectancy for Biss in 1950 was 51, and 88 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Biss

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Biss ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Biss family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial