Surname Geisendoerfer - Meaning and Origin
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Geisendoerfer: What does the surname Geisendoerfer mean?
The last name Geisendoerfer is of German origin, from the 16th Century. Geisendoerfer is a surname derived from the German words for “goose” (“Gans”) and “throat” (“Doerfer”). As a result, the last name is thought to denote someone from a family of farmers that raised geese.
The name Geisendoerfer is most specifically associated with the village of the same name in the Upper Franconia region of Germany, in the province of Bavaria. Specifically, the village was first recorded as Geyse Dorffer in 1566. That same year, one Johannes Gaysendorffer was recorded as life tenant in Geyse Dorffer. The -dorff in this location's name comes from the German word for village (dorf), hinting perhaps at ancestral origin of those who today bare the Geisendoerfer name.
In addition to the varying spellings of the village name, variations on the name’s spelling exist today. Gaysendorfer, Giesendorfer, Geisendorff, Geisendorfer, Geisendorf, Gaysendofer, Gissendorfer, Gissendorf, GisehnsenOrfer are all examples of contemporary spelling variants. It is likely that these were created through mistakes in recording as the last name passed through generations.
Though the origin of the last name is rooted in the 16th Century, today there are many people with the last name Geisendoerfer spread across the United States, and there are even people living in Germany who still bear the name. It may be thought of as a symbol of familial heritage, with its roots firmly planted in German soil.
Order DNA origin analysisGeisendoerfer: Where does the name Geisendoerfer come from?
The last name Geisendoerfer is mainly concentrated in Germany and the United States, though it can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Brazil.
In Germany, Geisendoerfer is most common in Bavaria, the eastern state of Germany, where the last name was first found in records during the Middle Ages. It was also commonly found in the western province of North Rhine-Westphalia in the 19th century and continues to be seen there, as well as in other parts of the country such as Hesse, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.
In the United States, the Geisendoerfer surname can be found primarily in the Midwest states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. These states were of course home to many German immigrants in the early 20th century and many of them had the Geisendoerfer surname. In addition, the name is also present in other parts of the country like New York, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
In Brazil, the Geisendoerfer last name was brought over by German immigrants who settled in the southern region of the country in the mid-19th century. This is why it is still common to this day in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and other states like Santa Catarina and Paraná.
Overall, the Geisendoerfer surname is mainly concentrated in Germany and the United States today. It can also be found in other countries such as Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Geisendoerfer
The surname Geisendoerfer is one of several variant spellings and surnames that have the same origin. Common variants of Geisendoerfer include Geisendorfer, Geisendorff, Giesendorfer, Giesendoerfer, Giesendorf, Giesendorff, Giesendorffer, Giesendorff, Giesendorff, Giesendorfft, Giesendorffer, and Giesendörfer. Each of these spellings can be found throughout Europe, particularly in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The origin of the surname Geisendoerfer is unclear, but it likely means "go to the fields." The meaning behind the name is thought to be a reference to those who traveled to the fields to work as farmers. Over time, the spelling of the name has evolved as it passed down through multiple generations.
Another possible origin of the surname is the German word "geisender," which translates to "traveler" or "itinerant." This is a reference to those who traveled in search of work, which was a common practice among German immigrants in the early days of the United States.
No matter the origin, Geisendoerfer remains a popular and common surname in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found among German-American families, as well as among individuals of various other European backgrounds.
Famous people with the name Geisendoerfer
- Stefan Geisendoerfer: German actor who has been credited in more than 70 movies and TV shows since 1971.
- Martin Geisendoerfer: German professor and pioneering computer scientist, best known for his role in developing the programming language Pascal.
- Brigitte Geisendoerfer: German actress and theater director.
- Max Geisendoerfer: German industrialist and sports car manufacturer, known for developing the NSU Ro80 in 1967.
- Peter Geisendoerfer: German musicologist and composer who specialized in Renaissance music.
- Stefan Geisendoerfer II: German screenwriter, producer and director.
- Edgar Geisendoerfer: German painter, draftsman, and graphic artist.
- Hans-Juergen Geisendoerfer: German artist and photographer.
- Joachim Geisendoerfer: German sculptor and painter.
- Erich Geisendoerfer: German actor.