Surname Greissner - Meaning and Origin
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Greissner: What does the surname Greissner mean?
The last name Greissner is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German words ‘grios’ meaning ‘grey’ or ‘gris’ meaning ‘pale’ and ‘sner’ meaning ‘bright’ or ‘shining’. As such, the name literally translates to ‘grey/pale brightness’.
It is possible that the name was originally used as a nickname to describe someone with very light or pale-coloured hair. Alternatively, some believe that the root of the name also derives from the Old German ‘greiz’ meaning ‘savage’ or ‘barbarian’. In this case, it may have originally been a descriptive name for a determined and forceful individual.
Today, the surname Greissner is found mostly in Austria and Germany. In the United States, it is a rare name but is known to originate from these countries. Famous people with the surname include Olympic athlete Benjamin Greissner, philosopher Gustav Greissner and Austrian opera singer Bernhard Greissner.
No matter its origin, the surname Greissner has a long and varied history with many stories to tell. It continues to be a source of pride and identity for its many bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisGreissner: Where does the name Greissner come from?
The last name Greissner is predominantly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. The name is an old Germanic name derived from the word 'grizzly' or 'grey', indicating a grey-haired ancestor. The name is also found in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and Romania. Additionally, the surname may be of Jewish origin and is most common in the United States, Israel, and Argentina.
In Germany, the name Greissner is quite common in the states of Bavaria and Thuringia, although it is found in all parts of the country. Generally, those with the surname are descendants of an old, aristocratic Franconian or Thuringian family. The ancient Greissner family trace their ancestry to prominent places in both regions.
In Austria, the name Greissner is still quite common, particularly in its eastern and southern states including Vienna, Burgenland, Lower Austria, and Styria. According to certain sources, the Greissaner or Greissner family originally emigrated from Bavaria to the small village of Grub near Admont in Styria in the 16th century.
In the United States, the surname Greissner is most commonly found in New York and Pennsylvania, although some individuals have settled in other states such as Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. Interestingly, a branch of the Greissner family had emigrated from Prussia to New York City in the early 19th century.
Today, the Greissner name is still quite common in many parts of the world, particularly in German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Greissner
The surname Greissner has various spellings and variants, as well as associated surnames of the same origin.
The most common spelling of Greissner is Greißner, with a double ß instead of ss. This variation is more common in German-speaking countries. Another variation is Greisner, with a single s in place of the double ss. Further forms of Greissner can be Gressner, Greassner, Greassener, Graissner, and Grossner.
The origin of the surname Greissner can be traced back to regions of Germany, such as Bavaria and the Rhineland. Greißner, in particular, is a topographic surname derived from the word “greissen”, meaning “to graze”. Greissner is thus an occupational surname, referring to someone whose occupation is herding or grazing livestock.
Associated surnames of the same origin include Greis, Greiss, Greisel, Greissl, Greisling, and Greislinger. Greis is derived from “Greißen”, another form of the word “to graze”. Greiss is derived from “Gress”, meaning “step” or “stalk”. Greisel, Greissl, Greisling, and Greislinger are derived from the diminutive forms of the words “Greiß” and “Greis”.
Surnames associated with Greissner likely originated from different parts of Germany at different times, and may have even been acquired by way of migration due to occupation or living arrangements. It is important to keep in mind that while these surnames share the same origin, they are not necessarily related in any way, and may have diverged over time.
Famous people with the name Greissner
- Richard Greissner: German politician who served as a Member of the Volkskammer of East Germany from 1975 until 1990
- Kurt Greissner: Austrian actor, producer, and director
- Robert Greissner: American jazz pianist and composer
- Carlos Greissner: Brazilian entrepreneur and television executive
- Eugen Greissner: Austrian rifle shooter and Olympic medalist
- Sven Greissner: German ski jumper and World Cup competitor
- Kris Greissner: Austrian cross-country skier and World Cup competitor
- Björn Greissner: German goalkeeper and record keeper for Schalke 04
- Florian Greissner: German soccer midfielder
- Philipp Greissner: German rower who won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics