Surname Gföll - Meaning and Origin

Gföll: What does the surname Gföll mean?

The last name Gföll is of German origin, and is thought to have first appeared during the middle ages. It is thought to be derived from the German word ‘gofl’, meaning ‘to hurl’ or ‘to throw’. It may have originated as an occupational surname, or descriptive nickname, reflecting the occupation of a soldier who was skilled in the art of hurling weapons in order to startle or even kill enemies.

This name has been found in various regions throughout Germany, and its descendants have since spread across the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, and many countries in Europe. The frequency of the last name Gföll has decreased in recent years, however, in certain areas such as the United States, it is still a popular surname.

Those who possess the last name Gföll were once thought to be of noble descent and were believed to have held a higher status in society due to their skills with weapons. This could be another explanation as to why the name Gföll has been commonly found among the elite throughout history.

The meaning of the last name Gföll is still not clearly known, however, it is believed to reference a soldier or warrior who was skilled in the use of weapons in order to protect himself, his family, and his country from potential threats. What is known is that it was a popular name in Germany for centuries, and is still seen today in many places worldwide.

Gföll: Where does the name Gföll come from?

The last name Gföll is most commonly found today in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The surname is derived from the German-language term 'gföllen,'which refers to a person living in a remote, rural area.

Gföll families have a long history in these regions, probably originating in what is now Austria and the Czech Republic as far back as the tenth century. These families were often the earliest settlers in an area and worked as farmers or tradespeople.

Today, Gföll families still live in these areas, particularly in rural regions of Bavaria, Austria, and the Czech Republic within mountain ranges. It is also possible to find Gföll families in cities across these countries, particularly in large cities like Vienna, Munich, and Prague.

The name Gföll is extremely rare outside of these countries and is virtually unheard of in other parts of the world. In fact, it is estimated that fewer than 3,000 individuals worldwide bear the surname Gföll.

Overall, the last name Gföll is still strongest in rural parts of Europe today, particularly in Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic, where it has been found for centuries. It is a rare surname globally, however, and is typically only found in these regions.

Variations of the surname Gföll

Gföll is a surname with several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It originated in Austria and some neighboring countries with a long history. Variations include Gfoell, Gfell, Gfellen, Gfellner, Gfeller, Gfellers, Gfoellner, Gfoll, and Gfollner. Similar sounding surnames of the same origin include Gfeil, Gfiel, Geil, Geiler, Geilen, Geiloff, Geilinger, Geiling, Geiler, and Geisman.

The original form of the surname "Gföll" is derived from the Middle High German word "gvellen". This means "to enclose" and refers to a landowner who has property enclosed by some kind of barrier or fence. This is an occupational surname, suggesting that the family's ancestor was likely involved in agriculture, farming, or working in the land in some capacity.

The spelling variations likely developed over time, as people changed the spelling of their name in an effort to distinguish themselves from other families with the same surname. This was common practice in the past and still occurs today in many countries around the world.

Gföll is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Families with this surname may also exist in the United States, particularly in areas with large German-speaking populations, such as Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Famous people with the name Gföll

• Christopher Gföll: Austrian alpine skier, Olympic bronze medalist, World Cup winner and double World Championship title recipient.
• Peter Gföll: Austrian artistic dressage rider, European medalists and World Championship participant.
• Tom Gföll: Austrian former professional cyclist, multiple national championship title recipient and former World Champion.
• Anna Gföll: Austrian women’s volleyball player, former national title winner, former European champion and multiple European Champion medalist.
• Dominik Gföll: Austrian former professional footballer, former Austrian national team participant and current coach of the first divisions SV Mattersburg.
• Herbert Gföll: Austrian former professional skier, double-Olympic bronze medalist, multiple World Championship participant and former Ski World Cup winner.
• Heinz Gföll: Austrian former ski jumper, former national title winner and multiple tournament medalist.
• Richard Gföll: Austrian artist and sculptor, former university professor and author of several books, awarded with the German Forum For Art and Culture Prize 2018.
• Angelika Gföll: Austrian first class musician, former music school teacher and solo cellist in Symphony Orchestra of Lower Austria.
• Werner Gföll: Austrian former professional ski jumper, former national title winner and European championship silver medalist.

Other surnames

GföllerGföllner