Surname Geßlein - Meaning and Origin
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Geßlein: What does the surname Geßlein mean?
The last name Geßlein is a German surname that has its origins in a region known as Franconia, located in modern-day Bavaria. The name is derived from the old German word “gesslein,” meaning “little goat.” Historically, the name was used to denote a goat herder, or someone whose livelihood involved taking care of Goats. Alternatively, it may have been a nickname for someone who resembled a goat in some way.
In German and Austrian records, the name frequently appears in various forms including Gäßlein, Geixlein, Gäxlein, and Geblesin. These records have been used to track the name’s presence in Germany since the 12th century, and it has been suggested that the name probably existed in some form before that time.
Throughout its history, the Geßlein name has been associated with regions throughout Germany and Austria, with the majority of its occurrences found in Bavaria. It has been used to denote a range of occupations, including goat herder, farmer, miller, and shoemaker.
Today, Geßlein is most prevalent in southern Germany, where it is still used to denote both individuals and families. It is highly unlikely that many with the name would not be aware of its connection to goat herding, suggesting that the name has grown to become a source of pride and identification more than anything else.
Order DNA origin analysisGeßlein: Where does the name Geßlein come from?
The last name Geßlein is primarily found in the region of Southwest Germany. This includes Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate, which are located in the Southwest of Germany, and Hesse, located in the center of the country.
The name is thought to have originated from the region of Franconia, which is one of the three main cultural regions of Bavaria. It was first recorded in the year 1425 when a Johannes Gesslein lived in Abtei-Lorsch, a monastery near the city of Frankfurt in the Odenwald mountain range.
The Geßlein name spread throughout the area as the years passed and the region changed. In 1636, for example, Heimsprecht and his son, Winkelmann, of the originally Franconian Geßlein family, sailed to the New World, relocating in Pennsylvania. Several generations later, a branch of the family emigrated to Argentina in the late 1800's.
In the present day, the Geßlein name is found all over Germany, and to some extent, the rest of the world. While some of the occurrences are due to migration, many individuals still hold roots in the tradition-laden Southwest, and can still be found in the historical regions of Lower Bavaria and Hesse.
Furthermore, individuals with the Geßlein last name can be found in Austria, Switzerland, and many parts of the United States.
Variations of the surname Geßlein
The surname Geßlein is of Germanic origin and is thought to have derived from the personal name Gisel, which is composed of the elements gisil (hostage) and helm (helmet, protection). Variants of this surname include Gesslein, Gessling, Gesslin, Geßling, Geßlin, Gessl and Gessllein.
The spelling of the surname has changed over the centuries due to phonetic and dialectal influences, and it may also appear in various spellings that are unrelated to the original name. The most common alternatives spellings include Gesslein, Gessling, Gesslin, Geßling, Geßlin, Gessl and Gessllein.
Variants of the surname also vary according to region and language. For example, in Italian, the surname is spelled as Gesslini or Gesslin. In Dutch, the surname is spelled as Geeslin or Geesling. In Spanish, it is spelled as Gesslini or Gesselín.
Surnames derived from the original Geßlein include Gessinger, Geßinger, Gessler, Geser, Geßer, Gesser and Geßer. In some areas, the name is given as a hyphenated version such as G-esslin or G-essling.
In some cases, the name is alternatively spelt as Geisler or Geisling, which was probably a modified form of the original Geßlein. Finally, the surname is also occasionally associated with Giselmar or Giselmayer, which are patronymic variations of the original Geßlein.
Famous people with the name Geßlein
- Robert Geßlein: German long-distance runner and Olympic gold medalist.
- Hans Geßlein: German fencer and Olympic bronze medalist.
- Matthias Geßlein: German bobsledder and Olympic bronze medalist.
- Jakob Geßlein: German runner and Olympic gold medalist.
- Franz Geßlein: German cyclist and Olympic gold medalist.
- Rudolf Geßlein: German boxer and Olympic gold medalist.
- Wilhelm Geßlein: German bobsledder and Olympic gold medalist.
- Rudolf Geßlein (Jr.): German cyclist and Olympic gold medalist.
- Hermann Geßlein: German runner and Olympic gold medalist.
- Johann Geßlein: German athlete and Olympic bronze medalist.
- Richard Geßlein: German gymnast and Olympic silver medalist.
- Karl Geßlein: German soccer player and Olympic bronze medalist.
- Eugen Geßlein: German rower and Olympic gold medalist.
- Joseph Geßlein: Austrian painter and engraver.
- Angelika Geßlein: German beauty pageant queen and celebrity.
- Günther Geßlein: German football referee.
- Helmut Geßlein: German general.
- Benedikt Geßlein: German classical organist.
- Helmut Geßlein: German sculptor.
- Friedhelm Geßlein: German historian.