Surname Geschwendner - Meaning and Origin
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Geschwendner: What does the surname Geschwendner mean?
The last name Geschwendner is a German last name, translatable to mean 'walker'. This refers to someone who travelled from one place to the next, often for a livelihood.
The origin of the surname likely comes from the 11th century, where merchants would travel long distances in order to transport goods for sale. In Germany, such occupations would have been referred to as 'Geschwend'. This derivative was eventually split into two German words, 'Geschwend' and 'er', meaning 'one who does'. This formed the basis for the surname Geschwendner, literally meaning 'one who travels'.
In the modern day, the surname Geschwendner is found in Germany and other parts of Europe. In some cases, the family name has evolved and may have been adapted into various spellings over the years. It is generally believed that throughout Europe, the surname Geschwendner is still associated with someone who travels. Whether it be a merchant, farmer, or even a soldier, the Geschwendner name has connotations of movement.
The family name Geschwendner is a reminder of the importance of mobility to the people of the past, and to modern day Europeans. It is a tribute to those who journeyed far in pursuit of their dreams, and to those who remain determined to progress.
Order DNA origin analysisGeschwendner: Where does the name Geschwendner come from?
The last name Geschwendner is most commonly found in Austria and Germany, concentrated in the eastern half of the country. It is derived from the word “Geschwender” which was used to identify a horse showman or wagon driver.
In Austria, the name is found most commonly in the northern Styria region, specifically around Leoben, Eisenerz, and Knittelfeld. In Lower Austria, the name is concentrated in the Waldviertel region, especially around Allentsteig, Zwettl-Niederösterreich, and Kirchschlag.
In Germany, the name is most common in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is found most frequently in the regions of Franconia and the Palatinate, especially around Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Bad Dürckheim, and Würzburg.
Given the shared Germanic heritage between German speaking countries, it is not uncommon to find the surname outside of its traditional heartland. It is found in increasing numbers throughout Europe, as well as other regions beyond the continent. The U.S. currently has the largest concentration of families with the last name outside of its traditional homeland. It can also be found in smaller numbers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Geschwendner
Geschwendner is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German term ‘Geschwinder’ or ‘Geschwind’, meaning fast or swift. Variants of this surname include Geschwindner, Geschwandner, Geeschwendner, Jeschwendner, Gschwendner, and Geschwindtner.
In the U.S., surname spellings may also be adapted over time from the original German way as immigrants assimilated. Variants of this name in other countries often depend on region and language; for instance, in Germany the spelling is often spelled Gschwendner. In addition, a number of different surnames may have originated from this same source.
Some of the other surnames derived from the root word ‘Geschwind’ include Gschwind, Gschwinder, Gschwindt, Gschwinder, Gschwendemann, and Gschwender. All of these variations may appear with a wide variety of possible alternate spellings.
Other variants of this surname are found outside of Germany, such as Janischwitz (Austria, Poland), Geschwindner (Switzerland, Liechtenstein), Janovský (Czech Republic, Slovakia), and Geschwindt (Sweden).
The name Geschwendner has been used as a patronymic surname, or a surname created from the name of one’s father, for record-keeping purposes in Germany since the Middle Ages. This may explain why so many surnames descended from this same source can now be found in many different countries.
Famous people with the name Geschwendner
- Charles Geschwendner, German figure skater
- Thomas Geschwendner, German CEO and entrepreneur
- Victor Geschwendner, French architect
- Konrad Geschwendner, German botanist
- Rudolf Geschwendner, Austrian-Jewish scientist
- Heinz Geschwendner, Austrian-Jewish writer and children’s author
- Kurt Geschwendner, German artist
- Ludwig Geschwendner, German painter
- Erika Geschwendner, German-Jewish nurse
- Hilda Geschwendner, Italian-Jewish writer and resistance fighter