Bliss
An English surname from a word meaning joy, gladness, or blessedness.
The #2,471 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 21,164 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Bliss is generally taken from Old English words for joy, gladness, or blessedness, the kind of meaning that could easily become a nickname for a cheerful or fortunate person. Lower specifically connects it with an Old English verb meaning “to make glad or joyous,” while later writers also gloss the surname as “blithe” or “of blithe disposition.” In form and sense, it belongs to the common medieval class of surnames that began as personal epithets.
History
The surname is recorded in medieval England, including early forms such as John Blisse and Alicia Blissewenche. It seems to have arisen independently as a descriptive nickname rather than from a place-name or occupation. The name remained established in England and later appears in the United States, where it is now relatively uncommon.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Medieval records preserve a delightfully literal bearer, Alicia Blisse-wenche, whose name essentially means “joyful girl.”
From the historical record
“BLIGH. Perhaps the same as Blythe. BLISS. A John Bliss occurs in the II.R. without any preiix of De or Le. The name seems to be connected with the A-Sax. verb Missian, lastificare, to make glad or joyous. The singular name Alicia Blisse- wenche in the H.R. appears to be nearly synonymous with that of Maud Makejoy…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom