Surname Goslar - Meaning and Origin
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Goslar: What does the surname Goslar mean?
Goslar is a Germanic surname derived from a city in North-Central Germany. The elements "go" and "slar" mean 'spear" and 'grove' respectively; thus, the name references an area near a grove. This is consistent with the area's history as it was historically the location of a pre-historic sacrificial grove.
The earliest records of the surname date back to 1327 when one Herman de Gozlar was a vassal of the Silesian duchy of Głogów. This Herman was most likely a descendant of a prominent family of the region, which had initially owned a great deal of property and had been influential in the affairs of the region since at least the 11th century.
By the 17th century, the family's power had diminished due to political upheaval and a decrease in their land holdings. Despite this, the name Goslar is still used today, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The name Goslar is associated with the qualities of strength, stability, and pride. The resilience and determination of the family in the face of adversity captures the spirit of the German character and embodies the values which made them such an integral part of European history.
Order DNA origin analysisGoslar: Where does the name Goslar come from?
The last name Goslar is commonly found in Northern Germany today. The city of Goslar, located in Lower Saxony, is considered the ancestral home of this surname. Goslar is especially notable for its historic imperial palace and is a popular tourist destination.
It is believed that the Goslar surname originates from medieval times and possibly from the Goslag brothers, who were from Upper Rhenish Noble Knights. The earliest recorded mention of the name is in records for the city of Goslar dating to the 13th century.
The Goslar surname is spread all over Germany. Records show that in 1898 there were 2,591 bearers of the name living in Germany, mainly in Prussia. According to a 2008 census, there were 27,114 people living in Germany with the Goslar surname. In addition, there are people with this surname living in America, Canada, Australia, and other places around the world.
For those searching for their family’s history, Goslar is a great place to start due to its rich genealogical records. The city has thousands of documents from the 16th century to present day, giving a unique insight into the history of the Goslar family.
Today, the Goslar surname is still common in Northern Germany and it can be found all over the world. It serves as a reminder of the proud family heritage that people of this name have inherited.
Variations of the surname Goslar
The surname Goslar is derived from a place name. It is a German habitational surname, derived from the German town of Goslar, located in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town name is of uncertain origin, thought to be derived from the Old High German personal name Gaudiperaht, combined with the German term lar, which means town.
Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Gossler, Gostler, Golsban, Ghibit, Golser, and Gausler. The surname is also found in other countries, with variations such as Gausland, which is of Scandinavian origin, being found in Norway. In the Netherlands, Goslar is found as Gosselar, and in Switzerland, where it is more common, it is found as Gosler. In Austria, the variations include Gosso, Gosson and Gosstaler.
Outside of Europe, the variants of Goslar found in the United States include Goslar, Gosler, Gorgler, Gollor and Gosslar, with the first two being most common. In Canada, the variations Gosseler and Gossler are more frequently seen.
Overall, the variants and surnames of Goslar are derived from the same origin, the German town of Goslar. Despite the varied spellings, they all refer to the same habitational surname.
Famous people with the name Goslar
- Mia Goslar: German actress best known for her work on the TV series "The Fall of Berlin" and feature films such as "Schorsch meint es gut" and "Living Bio".
- Mark Goslar: English actor known for his appearances in the films "The Boat That Rocked", "Gods and Monsters" and "Inception".
- Lenelyn Goslar: Danish wrestler and judoka who won gold medals at the 2002 and 2006 World Judo Championships.
- Ray Goslar: British-American actor, screenwriter and director, best known for his work in the films "Waiting" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl".
- Stephen Goslar: British author best known for his book "The Last of the Romans".
- Stevo Goslar: Slovenian actor, best known for his roles in the films "The Dead of Verona" and "Vesna".
- Peter Goslar: Swiss politician who served as Mayor of Zürich from 1992 to 1999.
- Alfred Goslar: German actor and comedian known for his roles in the films "The Great Escape" and "The Sheik".
- Jens Goslar: Danish film producer, best known for his work on the 2002 film "Brothers".
- Axel Goslar: German photographer, best known for his work in fashion, portrait and landscape photography.