Surname Geiß - Meaning and Origin
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Deciphering the Geiß Surname: A DNA Perspective of My Western European Ancestry
Delving into the depths of my lineage through the iGENEA DNA test brought exciting revelations. The analyzed genetic markers of my DNA unraveled the historical journey of the Geiß surname, bringing on an enthralling expedition dating back 4,000 years. Positioning the Geiß surname under the R1b haplogroup, the test supported my ancestral connections to Western Europe.
G. Geiß
read moreGeiß: What does the surname Geiß mean?
The last name Geiß is derived from the Middle High German word ‘gilz’ meaning ‘goat’. It is thought to have been a nickname given to someone who kept goats or was otherwise associated with them. The name likely referred to something characteristic about the original bearer of the name, such as their appearance, behavior, or job.
In Germany, Geiß is a common name found throughout the country but with different variants and spellings. In Northern and Central Germany, 'Geiß' is the most common spelling, with 'Geiss', 'Geisz', 'Geyss', 'Geyß', and 'Gieß' being possible variants. In southwestern Germany, 'Geißler' is the most common spelling. Those with the name Geiß and associated variants may have come from countries such as Switzerland, Austria, or the Czech Republic.
The name Geiß can be found in records throughout the Middle Ages, with one of the earliest recorded being from 1086. It is thought that the original bearer of the Geiß name was likely a peasant living in what is now Germany.
Today, those with the name Geiß are proud of their historic origin. The name connects them to a long history of people closely associated with goats. It continues to be a meaningful and popular name in Germany and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisGeiß: Where does the name Geiß come from?
The surname Geiß (sometimes spelled Geiss or Geys) is of German origin, and is most commonly found in Germany today. Within the country, it is most prevalent in the south, around Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate. One study concluded that it is the 161st most common German surname, with more than 14,000 individuals bearing the name in Germany as of 2020.
The surname originated in the region around the Upper Rhenish city of Cologne, which may account for its prevalence in the south. The name in its original form was Gese, probably derived from the Old German given name 'Gezo' or 'Gezo'. Over time, it became associated with an animal, probably the badger, which in German is 'Gieß'. This association and the German word for 'goat' (Gääß), led to the variant spellings of Geiß and Geiss, and to the various phonetic pronunciations in use today.
Outside of Germany, the name can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, along with parts of France, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
Recently, the surname has spread to North America, with some individuals immigrating to the United States from Germany in the 1800s and 1900s. There are now estimated to be several hundred Geißs living in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Geiß
The surname Geiß is of Germanic origin and has multiple variants and spellings. It can be spelled Geiss, Geisser, Geißer, Geißel, Geisel, Gaisser, Gaissler, Gaissle, Geiseler and Gaissel. It is derived from the German word element “geiz”, meaning “thirst” or “plentiful”. Geiß can also be spelled Gaiz, Gehse, and Gesse.
The earliest known bearer of the surname was Ludwic Gese of Heilbronn, Germany who was born around 1550. Other early bearers were Anshel Gaisel from Bavaria in 1567, Conrad Gessl of Austria in 1575 and Jacob Geiss of Bruckenheim in 1590.
Geiß is chiefly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland but is also common in other countries such as the United States and Canada. It is also common in regions that were historically part of the German Empire such as Russia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Poland.
The variants and spellings of Geiß are derived from the original Germanic language which is also seen in Geisser and Gaisser. Other derivatives such as Geißel, Geisel, Geiseler and Gaissel are derived from the Germanic terms geiz and gisel meaning “thirst” and “plentiful” respectively.
The surname Geiß is also found as a variant of the surnames Geisser, Gaisser, Gaissle, Geiseler, and Gaissel. These names are derived from the Germanic elements geiz and gisel, meaning “thirst” and “plentiful”, respectively.
The surname Geiß is very uncommon today but can still be found in Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe. It is also common in countries where German immigrants settled such as the United States and Canada. Variants and spellings of the surname include Geiss, Geisser, Geißer, Geißel, Geisel, Gaisser, Gaissler, Gaissle, Geiseler and Gaissel.
Famous people with the name Geiß
- Benny Gieß: Benny Gieß is a German singer and songwriter who is known for his hits “Sternradio” and “Immer Widder”.
- Christian Gieß: Christian Gieß is a professional footballer who is currently playing for Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga.
- Rebecca Gieß: Rebecca Gieß is a German actress who is best known for her roles in the films Das schönste Geschenk and Hotel Lux.
- Heinz Gieß: Heinz Gieß is a German journalist and image consultant. He is well known for his media work and group dynamic trainings.
- Sven Gieß: Sven Gieß is a former Badminton world champion who competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He has won several international tournaments including the Denmark Open.
- Tobias Gieß: Tobias Gieß is a German stuntman and actor. He is best known for his role in the movie Hatfields & McCoys as the character Abraham Lincoln McCoys.
- Michael Gieß: Michael Gieß is a German business executive who is currently the CEO of Wienerberger AG, a leading building materials company.
- Meike Gieß: Meike Gieß is a German film producer who is well known for her movies How To Sell Drugs Online and Heimatfilm.
- Florian Gieß: Florian Gieß is a German director, cinematographer and writer. He is best known for his documentary Inferno 25 about the lives of Syrian refugees living in Europe.
- Daniel Gieß: Daniel Gieß is a German-Croatian footballer who is currently playing for FC St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga.