Surname Gijsbers - Meaning and Origin

Gijsbers: What does the surname Gijsbers mean?

The last name Gijsbers is a Dutch and Flemish surname derived from the given name Giselbert, a Germanic name composed of two elements: gizil, meaning “pledge”; and berht, meaning “famous, bright, clear”. The name was popularized in the 13th century by the Hohenstaufen dynasty, resulting in various forms of the name becoming common in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

Gijsbers is an occupational last name that likely originated in the industries of metalworking, woodworking, shipbuilding, or other trades related to craftsmen in these fields. It is similar to other Dutch surnames, such as Gijselaar, Gijskes, and Gijselman, and suggests the ancestral bearer belonged to a guild of craftsmen.

Variants of Gijsbers span many countries and cultures. In Germany, it is Gebbert; in France, Gibert; in Sweden, Gijsbersson; in Ireland, Gieselbert; and in Russia, Gizelyevich hebraicized to Giselman. Different spelling variations of Gijsbers include Gijsbertz, Gijsbregts, Gijsebregts, Gijsbrechts, Gijsbart, Gijselaar, Gijselbart, and Gizelbold.

Today, the surname Gijsbers has global origins. In the Netherlands, it is composed of all eight provinces, while in the United States, it is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York.

Gijsbers: Where does the name Gijsbers come from?

The last name Gijsbers is most commonly found in the Netherlands. According to a Netherlands national surname survey in 2020, Gijsbers is the 162,ids-most-popular last name. Today, Gijsbers is the 11th most common last name in the geographical province of South Holland in particular, making it one of the most common last names found in that region. The surname has also been found in some parts of Belgium, as well as in Australia, the United States, and Canada.

In the Netherlands, the Gijsbers name is thought to be derived from either the first name Gijsbert, or from the word ‘bies’, meaning ‘reed’ or ‘grass’ in Dutch. Therefore, it is assumed that the original bearer of the last name lived in an area rich in reeds or grass.

The surname Gijsbers is widely distributed throughout Holland and neighboring countries, suggesting that the first Gijsbers family likely originated in the Netherlands. Records of the family first appeared as early as the 13th century, where several members of the Gijsbers family are recorded in the Medieval Linden Roll of Arms.

As the Netherlands developed economically and its population grew, the Gijsbers family spread to neighboring regions within Europe and to areas across Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Australia as well. Today, members of the Gijsbers family can be found in numerous parts of the world, although the majority still continue to reside in the Netherlands.

Variations of the surname Gijsbers

The surname Gijsbers is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the given name Gijs (or Geys) with the suffix ber meaning "son of", so it can also be understood as "Gijs's son". Variations of the name include Gijsbers, Geysbers, Gijsbregts, Geysbregts, Gijsbregt, Geysbregt, Gijsbrants, Geysbrants, Gijsbrant, Geysbrant, Gijsbosch, Geysbosch, Gijsbos, Geysbos, Gijsbers, Geysewaert, Gijsewaert and Gijseels.

Other name variants include Geijsbers, Geysers, Gijzels, Gitzer, Gyzels, Gijsen, Geijsen, Geijzer, Gijzen, Gitsen, Gitser, Gijsman, Geissman, Geysmans, Gijssells, Gijsells, Gijssen and Gyssen. Some of these variants, such as GEYSEWAERT, GEISSMAN, GEIZMAN, and GITSER, are derived from the Low German form of the name.

Surnames derived from the given name Gijs include Gijsbers, Gijsbregts, Gijsbrants, Gijsbregt, Gijsbosch, Gijsbos, Geysewaert, Gijsewaert, Gijseels, Geijsbers, Geysers, Gijzels, Gitzer, Gyzels, Gijsen, Geijsen, Geijzer, Gijzen, Gitsen, Gitser, Gijsman, Geissman, Geysmans, Gijssells, Gijsells, Gijssen and Gyssen.

Other similar-sounding surnames include Gebers, Gijsener, Geisler, Gesele, Gysele, Gijbers, Geysersdorff, Geyser, Geiser, Gieser, Gijse, Geisz and Gijselaar.

In some cases, the surname Gijsbers can be found spelled as Ginsberg, Gisberg, Giesberg, Gijeborg, Gijeburg, Gysberg, and Gijsbeer. In some cases, the surname can also be found as a variant of its original form, often spelled as Gijbregts or Gybregts.

Famous people with the name Gijsbers

• Gerard Gijsbers: Former Dutch Olympic athlete and olympic gold medalist, he holds two records in the 110 hurdles
• Henk Gijsbers: Former Dutch politician, served as a Dutch MP and a member of the Labour party
• Pieter Gijsbers: Former Dutch journalist for the NOS, wrote on world issues, international sports and domestic affairs
• Jelle Gijsbers: Dutch footballer, plays for FC Eindhoven in the Eerste Division
• Richard Gijsbers: Dutch professor of Physical Organic Chemistry at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam
• Jeroen Gijsbers: Dutch chef, served as the chef and owner of the Michelin starred restaurant The Chef's Table in Rotterdam
• Jos Gijsbers: Former Dutch football manager, managed teams such as FC Den Bosch, Willem II and FC Dordrecht
• Mark Gijsbers: Dutch footballer, plays for ASWH in the Dutch fourth division
• Stijn Gijsbers: Dutch footballer, plays for Helios in the Dutch third division
• Gert Gijsbers: Dutch music producer, responsible for producing multiple hit albums for various Dutch bands and musicians

Other surnames

Gijsberts