A German surname, Eckess comes from the Old German term ’ecka’ which refers to a corner or edge. Variations in spelling for Eckess include Eker, Kert, Eckher, Eckermann, Eck, Ekker and Eckherr. The Bavaria region of German is where the Eckess families were first established. Within the United States the Eckess families first lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and later moved to Illinois, New York, West Virginia, Florida, Texas and California. Many Eckess families also settled in Canada. Famous: A. W. Eckess (chief of police in Corning, New York to ended gambling devices in the area in the 1940s).