Surname Gfellner - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gfellner: What does the surname Gfellner mean?
The last name Gfellner is of German origin, derived from the German words "Geld" meaning "money" and "Fellner" meaning "possessor of." The combination of these words has been interpreted to mean either "wealthy one" or "possessor of wealth." It is likely that the name was passed down by a family with considerable financial assets.
Gfellner is typically found as a family name in the German regions of Bavaria and Hesse. It is thought that the earliest references of the surname were found in select parishes and monasteries in Hesse as far back as the 14th century. As generations passed, the name spread to other parts of German including Bavaria, Parts of Thuringia, and Bremen.
The modern use of the name, however, is limited mostly to Germany. There are some Gfellner families in Austria and Switzerland, but it is much less common than in its place of origin.
The surname Gfellner remains a symbol of social and financial privilege in its homeland of Germany. For those with the surname Gfellner, it can serve as an indication of their German heritage and a reminder of their prosperous ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisGfellner: Where does the name Gfellner come from?
Gfellner is a surname of German origin, derived from the word "Gevelle", which was a job title referring to a winevisioner or winetaster. Today, the last name Gfellner is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. According to the GeniomMAX search engine, there are still more than 1000 people in these countries who bear the Gfellner surname, with hundreds more thought to exist in other countries as a result of emigration. The surname is more common in its original German form, but many people around the world may have changed the spelling when emigrating to simplify pronunciation.
The Gfellner name remains a memorable symbol of the family's winetasting heritage and can be found in old records in towns and villages throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Gfellner families have been recorded in many of the winegrowing regions of these countries, where the name is still present amongst the current winegrowers and wine merchants today. The estate Gfellnerhof in the Styrian part of Austria is even owned today by descendants of the historic Gfellner family.
Variations of the surname Gfellner
The surname Gfellner is an extremely rare surname of Austro-Bavarian origin. It is generally understood to be derived from the personal name "Gfell," which itself is derived from the German word for "hill" or "mountain," gefell. As such, the surname may be found spelled in a variety of ways, including but not limited to Gfeller, Gfellner, Gfellnero, Feldner, Feldnero, Vellner, and Wellner.
In German documents dating from the Middle Ages, the name can be seen in its original form, Feldner, as well as Gfellner and Geffelnero, Gfellnero, and Gefelnero. In the period of the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Gefeller can be found in the records of the Austrian Empire. It can also be found as Veldner, Feldner, and Veldnero in Bavarian documents from the same period.
In modern times, the surname Gfellner may be found spelled a variety of ways. The most commonly found variants are Gfellner, Gfeller, Feldner, and Veldner. Other less common variants such as Gfellnero, Feldnero, and Vellner can also be found. The surname has also been altered to Wellner, a common spelling today.
Though the spelling of the name has changed over time, it's origin remains the same: the hill, or the mountain, gefell. Despite its relative rarity, the legacy of the Gfellner surname will undoubtedly be passed down over the generations, and will be observed for generations to come.
Famous people with the name Gfellner
- Helmut Gfellner, Austrian novelist and actor.
- Tim Gfellner, former professional baseball player.
- Karl Gfellner, Austrian National Skier.
- Diane Gfellner, American fashion designer.
- Oswald Gfellner, German artist and former soldier.
- Bernd Gfellner, Austrian film director.
- Reinhold Gfellner, Austrian artist and architect.
- Gabi Gfellner, German ice skater.
- Monika Gfellner, Austrian author and journalist.
- Emmerich Gfellner, Austrian composer and violinist.