Surname Gerstl - Meaning and Origin
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Gerstl: What does the surname Gerstl mean?
The last name Gerstl is a German surname with many variations of spelling, including Garstl, Gerst, Gärstl, Gehrs, Gorschl and Görstl. Historians have speculated that this surname could have several different origins, but the more likely ones are derived from the Germanic personal name Gero or one of its variants, such as Gere, Ger, Gerl, Griel or Grout. Because of its possible multiple origins, Gerstl can be interpreted to mean a few different things.
One interpretation of the surname Gerstl is that it may be derived from the German word “gerst,” which means barley. This could suggest that early people with this surname were associated with those professions related to growing or harvesting barley, such as farmers or brewers. Alternatively, the name might be derived from the word “gerts,” which is a dialect variation of "Gerst" and would give the same meaning.
The professional meaning of the name Gerstl could also be related to the home guard soldiers of ancient Germanic tribes, thought to be called “Gero's troops.” This interpretation suggests that those with the last name Gerstl or its variants may have been related to those warriors that defended their homes and lands during that era.
Lastly, Gerstl could be interpreted to mean “spear thrower” since it is derived from the Latin word “girgillius,” which refers to a type of javelin. This interpretation could be related to the ancient practice of warfare, and the professional name of those warriors who threw spears.
In short, the last name Gerstl can have many interpretations. Depending on its origin, it might mean barley, soldier, or spear thrower. Ultimately, only further research into the specific family line of an individual bearing this last name can reveal its true meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisGerstl: Where does the name Gerstl come from?
The last name Gerstl is a relatively common name throughout Central Europe. It is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. It is also found in smaller numbers in areas of Northern Italy, France, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.
The name itself is derived from the German word "Gerste" which means barley. It was likely first used as a surname for people who grew or traded in barley. It is possible that it was also used to indicate a person's place of origin, which in this case would have been around the Central European region where barley was harvested and grown. The name has existed since at least the early Middle Ages.
The name is still common today, and the most common spelling is Gerstl. It is estimated that there are currently more than 10,000 people with the surname living in Central Europe. It ranks fairly high in terms of frequency for surnames in the region. Those with the surname likely share a similar ancestral background, as the name has rarely been changed or adopted from other lineages.
Variations of the surname Gerstl
The surname Gerstl is a common German-Jewish family name of the same origin. It is believed to have first emerged in the Middle Ages as a result of the practice of people changing their family name to reflect their village of origin. The variants and spellings of the same origin include Greschol, Grashol, Gerstal, Gershel, and Gershkowitz.
The origins of Gerstl derive from Yiddish appellations, referring to a person from Graz, a city in the south-eastern part of Austria. Other variations of the surname include Ghreschol, Grashell, Gerstell, Gershel, and Gershkovitz.
In the United States, the surname can also be spelled Gerstel, Gershtel, and Gershteller. This is due to the fact that many immigrants from Austria and Germany changed the spelling of their surnames to make them easier to pronounce in the United States.
In addition to the variations already mentioned, those who bear the surname Gerstl may also have other surnames of the same origin, such as Gershman, Gershtein, Gershtien, Gersten, Gershwyn, and Gershog. These surnames are all derived from the Yiddish appellation ‘Graz’, which refers to the city of Graz in Austria.
Despite the numerous variations and spellings, all of the surnames mentioned are derived from the same origin. It is believed that those with the Gerstl surname originate from a small village known as Graz in the Vienna region of Austria.
Famous people with the name Gerstl
- Simon Gerstl: Austrian version designer, known for his workshop in Vienna.
- Max Gerstl: Austrian Expressionist painter and graphic artist of the early 20th century.
- Carl Gerstl: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
- Elisabeth Gerstl: Austrian fashion designer, fashion illustrator, surrealist photographer and fashion editor.
- Robert Gerstl: Austrian impressionist painter and graphic artist of the early 20th century.
- Paul Gerstl: Austrian painter, draughtsman and illustrator.
- Alfred Gerstl: leading physician in the field of Neuropulmonology (study of respiratory diseases in the nervous system) in the early 20th century.
- Albert Gerstl: Austrian football player who played for Rapid Wien and the Austrian national football team between 1931 and 1934.
- Rudolf Gerstl: Austrian Expressionist painter and graphic artist of the early 20th century.
- Fritz Gerstl: Austrian graphic artist, draughtsman and photographer.
- Hermann Gerstl: Austrian alpine skier and mountaineer who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
- Wilhelm Gerstl: Austrian impressionist painter and graphic artist of the early 20th century.
- Giselle Gerstl: Austrian theatre and film actress.
- Richard Gerstl: Austrian composer and teacher of composition and music theory.
- Anny Gerstl: Austrian actress and voice actress.
- Arthur Gerstl: Austrian painter and illustrator of the early 20th century.
- Konrad Gerstl: Austrian impressionist painter and graphic artist of the early 20th century.