Surname Gefäll - Meaning and Origin
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Gefäll: What does the surname Gefäll mean?
The last name Gefäll is an occupational name derived from the German for ' taxi-driver.' The term was often used in the 16th century to refer to an individual that would transport goods and travelers in a horse-drawn vehicle for a fee.
The origin of the name Gefäll is closely related to the German wordgefahren, which means 'journey'. In the early days of transportation services, tax drivers were responsible for making sure goods and passengers could safely reach their destinations. Given its reference to safe passage, the name Gefäll reflects a sense of security and reliability.
The name Gefäll has been found in Germany and Eastern Europe over the centuries, and has a symbolic meaning: the successful completion of a journey. For instance, the name is cited in records of an old German poem by Wilhelm Busch that reads: “The driver’s name you'll find Is rumor says 'Gefäll'. He'll drive you safely through the night Until you're home again.”
Gefäll is still used as a last name today, most commonly in families with ancestral roots in Germany or Eastern Europe. While the name’s original denotation relates to the business of transportation, it has come to represent a sense of protection and reliability, suggesting that the family’s lineage is one of commitment and success.
Order DNA origin analysisGefäll: Where does the name Gefäll come from?
The last name Gefäll is a fairly common one in parts of Europe. Most notably, it is found in Germany, where it is classified as an occupational/patronymic surname. People with the last name Gefäll can be traced to those who worked in farming or animal husbandry.
The Gefäll surname is also common in The Netherlands and Belgium. Here, too, it has strong links with the agricultural and herding industries. People with the Gefäll surname in these countries are mostly found in the more rural regions, many still living a traditional lifestyle.
The Gefäll surname is also found in Scandinavia, mainly in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Here the name originated from the Middle Danish ‘gil’, which translates as ‘stream’ or ‘ canal’, suggesting that many people with this last name worked in water-related industries such as fishing and boatbuilding.
Gefäll is also an uncommon Austrian surname, although it is thought to have originated from German immigrants who moved to Austria during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The last name Gefäll can also be found in small numbers in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Portugal and the United States. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found among the German-speaking community, particularly in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In summary, the surname Gefäll is most commonly found in large parts of Europe, particularly Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Austria. It is also fairly rare, but can be found in smaller numbers in other countries too.
Variations of the surname Gefäll
The surname Gefäll (sometimes written as Gefall) has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. It is generally thought to be a locational surname, deriving from places such as Gefallen in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, or from a similar name in either Austria or Switzerland. One variation of the surname is Gefeller, believed to originate from a local dialectal form of an older version of the name. Gefle is a Scandinavian form of Gefäll, while Gebal, Gibal, and Jolly are believed to be derived from the French dialect term Gaël.
Other possible variations of the surname include Gaffel, Gefel, Gefell, Gefeler, Gefeller, Geferek, Gefela, Gefelmann, Gefelmann, Gefla, and Giefel. Suggested spellings of the surname include Gefell, Gefel, Gefele, Gefeler, Gefell, Gefellers, Gefells, Gefells, Gefellsman, Gefellsmann, and Gefellsmen.
Surnames with the same origin include Gafka, Jaffke, Gefell, Gafkey, Jafke, Gefelles, Gafeles, Gaefell, Jefell, Jifel, Gefellicz, Gaffka, Gafke, Jefeul, and Gaffke. Common nicknames for those with the Gefäll surname include Gefel, Geff, Geffen, and Giffen. There are also Anglicized variations of the surname, such as Gafill, Gaffill, Gafill, Giphill, Gyphill, and Giffill.
Famous people with the name Gefäll
- David Gefäll: a German sculptor, draughtsman and installation art specialist.
- Aline von Gefäll: a German actress, best known for her roles in Heimat and Head-On.
- Haya von Gefäll: an Austrian artist.
- Emily von Gefäll: a Canadian sculptor, best known for animal and human hybrids.
- Feigela von Gefäll: an Austrian painter, best known for her floral works.
- Helga von Gefäll: a Czechoslovakian artist, best known for her abstract works.
- Judith von Gefäll: a German-Swedish screenwriter, producer, and director.
- Wanda von Gefäll: an Austrian architect, best known for her modernist style.
- Zacharias von Gefäll: a German composer and conductor, best known for his operas.
- Joanne von Gefäll: an Australian singer-songwriter, producer, and music video director.
- Olivia von Gefäll: a German artist who is known for her visual works.
- Sanna von Gefäll: a Finnish actress, best known for her roles in the television series Komisario Palmu and Secret Lives.
- Max von Gefäll: a German actor, best known for his roles in The Illusionist and Fargo.
- Siegfried von Gefäll: a Austrian-German actor and theatre director.