Surname Geil - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Geil: What does the surname Geil mean?
The last name Geil is of German origin and is thought to have multiple meanings. In some cases, it may refer to someone who is ‘festive’, ‘joyful’, or ‘happy’. In other cases, Geil may refer to someone who is brave, strong, or even boastful. Alternatively, it could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a wooded area, derived from the Middle High German word ‘gîl’ meaning ‘thicket’. Geil is particularly common in the central regions of Germany, such as Baden-Wuerttemberg.
The earliest records of the surname are found in the Silesian regions of Germany in the fifteenth century, where the Geil name can be found in documents such as an account book transcribed in 1436. Within these records, the Geil surname appears alongside other Altdeutsche him often associated with nobles and folk heroes.
Moving forward, Geil appears in numerous documents and records throughout Germany’s history, particularly in the early nineteenth century. In 1811, for instance, Georg Geil was recording as a private in the Second Battalion of the Wuerttemberg Foot Regiment, an historic moment that would be recorded in subsequent documents.
Today, the last name Geil continues to be associated with Germany and the concept of strong leadership and joyous celebration. It has been popularized by many modern day figures, such as the German computer scientist Manfred Geil. As a result, Geil remains an important part of Germany’s history, culture, and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGeil: Where does the name Geil come from?
The last name Geil is of German origin and is derived from the old German personal name Gail. The name is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries today, particularly in the Rhineland of western Germany. It is also found in other parts of the world populated by German immigrants, such as North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the United States, it is estimated that there are more than 3,000 people with this surname according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Geil is not currently ranked among the top 1,000 most common surnames in the United States, but between 2000 and 2010, the number of households with this surname increased by 2.6%.
In Germany, the spelling of Geil "Geil" is particularly common. It is estimated that 3,350 people bear this name in Germany, making it the 1,164th-most common surname there.
In Austria, it is slightly less common. In the census conducted in 2001, there were around 1,900 people with the name Geil. That puts it at the 2,892th-most common surname in Austria.
Geil is also found in France, where it ranks as the 7,082nd-most common name, as well as Argentina, where it is the 1,597th-most common name, according to the 2010 census.
Overall, the name Geil is most common in German-speaking countries where it is well-represented, such as Germany and Austria. It is also widely-spread across other parts of the world, most prominently in the United States and Argentina.
Variations of the surname Geil
The surname Geil is derived from an old Germanic personal name composed of two elements, ‘gail’ meaning ‘gaurdian’ or ‘rule’, and ‘-o’, which is a suffix indicating the possessive. Variants of this name include Gail, Gayl, Geil, Geyl, Geilman, Geyman, Geylman, Geilen, Geelen, Geleman, Geelman and Gaylen.
Spellings of this surname can vary significantly, depending on the region or dialect spoken in the area at the time. Common spellings are Gael, Gaile, Gail, Geale, Geall, Gel, Geill, Greall, Giell, Gyle, Giele, Geil, Geyl, Gailen, Geilen, Geelen, Geyle, Gaillen, Gaellen, Gellen, Gaylen, Geylan, Geilan, Geelan, Geilman, Geylman and Geelman.
Variations of this surname are found commonly across English-speaking countries. In the United States, Geill is the most common variation, followed by Gael, Galile, Gayle and Gaylen. In Europe, the most common variations are Geil, Geyle, Geylan and Geilen.
In addition to these common variants and spellings, Geil is also used as a surname in a number of countries, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Common variants of this name in these countries are Geilmann, Geilenmann, Geylmann and Geelmann.
No matter which variant of the name is chosen, Geil is an interesting surname in that it is a powerful reminder of a person’s heritage and familial background.
Famous people with the name Geil
- Abigail Geil, former professional figure skater
- Cori Geil, American ultramarathon runner, cancer survivor, and motivational speaker
- Doreen Geil, American singer, songwriter, and record producer
- Giada Geil, Italian singer and model
- Joe Geil, American professional golf player
- Kristy Geil, American professional tennis player
- Oskar Geil, German economist and entrepreneur
- Tom Geil, former professional baseball player
- William Geil, American artist
- Zachary Geil, Canadian-born American actor