Surname Giessman - Meaning and Origin

Giessman: What does the surname Giessman mean?

The last name Giessman is of German origin, specifically related to the Lower Saxony region of Northern Germany. It is believed to be derived from the word "Geiss" which comes from the Old High German "gisil", meaning a goat. This could suggest that the original bearer of the surname and their descendants were shepherds who tended goats.

Over time, the name evolved into various spellings such as Geissmann, Giesemann and Giessman. The name is most widespread in the United States, particularly across the Midwest and in the Upper South.

Giessman is a relatively uncommon surname. Those with the name may be interested in researching their family's history. This can often be done by searching for records from local archives and libraries, speaking to older relatives or looking online. Tracing family history can provide insight into where the surname originated from, the names of past family members and what areas of the country are associated with the Giessman name. Additionally, it can provide a unique perspective of history from the perspective of those who have had the surname for centuries.

Giessman: Where does the name Giessman come from?

The surname Giessman is most commonly found in Germany. The name is derived from the old German words “giess” meaning “pour” and “mann” meaning “man”. The name was borne by a medieval family of glass makers and so its origins likely came from a literal meaning of “pour man”. The most common variation of the surname in Germany today is “Geissmann”.

The name has spread throughout the German-speaking areas of Europe, and is also found in Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the surname is primarily found in states with large German immigrant populations, such as Wisconsin and North Dakota. The spelling can vary greatly, however, so it may be spelled “Giessman”, “Gessman”, “Geyssman”, “Geissman”, “Geisman” and others by different branches of the same family.

Most of the members of the Giessman surname who are alive today can trace their ancestry back to their German roots. Over the centuries, the name has been carried across the world and adapted in order to fit the language and culture of the different regions in which the family branches settled. Through DNA testing, however, it has been shown that the different branches of the family are all related, and links have been unravelled between different spellings of the surname.

Variations of the surname Giessman

The surname Giessman has quite a few different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These are as follows:

1. Giessmann

2. Giesmann

3. Giesman

4. Giesemen

5. Giesemon

6. Gizman

7. Gysman

It is quite possible that the spellings of this family name have changed over time due to varying regional dialects. It is also likely that immigrants from the same family have modified the spelling to suit the language of the country they have moved to.

The common denominator with all these spellings is that they can all be traced back to the same origin, that is of German origin. This is because all the spellings of the surname end with ‘mann’ which in German translates to 'man', so the surname of Giessman means man of the Giese. Giese could refer to a place-name, indicating that the family name has been localised to a certain area or it could refer to a geographical region or area from which the immigrants originated.

It is even possible that these spellings of the name Giessman have been changed into anglicised versions for easier pronunciations. This could explain why alternate spellings such as Gysman also exist.

By researching the various spellings of Giessman, it becomes quite clear that the family name is of a German origin and that its spellings have been adapted over the years to suit the language and dialects of the countries the family members have moved to.

Famous people with the name Giessman

• Lionel Giessman: professor of pharmacology at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and an expert in the development of novel approaches to identify and characterize toxic agents
• Michael Giessman: Marketing Manager for the YouTube and Google Play team at Google
• Hedda Giessman: Actress, singer, and model
• Steve Giessman: American football coach
• Kevin Giessman: former professional American football player
• David Giessman: former president of the Hebrew Congregation of Lawton, Oklahoma
• Judy Giessman: middle school teacher, author, and speaker
• Kurt Giessman: retired colonel of the United States Army
• Richard Giessman: President and CEO of SuiteAbroad, an online booking platform for short-term apartment rentals
• Stephanie Giessman: CEO of reCHARGE, an energy conservation solutions company

Other surnames

Giessmann