Surname Geißendörfer - Meaning and Origin
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Geißendörfer: What does the surname Geißendörfer mean?
The last name Geißendörfer is a German surname derived from the word geißendorf, which can be translated into English as a "goat-village". It is likely that the surname originated in the Middle Ages, as a reference to a location in a village where goats were kept.
Geißendörfer is a common surname among German-speakers throughout Europe, with the highest concentrations found in areas like Bavaria and on the Rhein-Main region. It can also be found in other regions, such as the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria.
The literal translation of the name is "village of goats" and it is believed to have been created as a by-name to differentiate between people who lived in a village with a large number of goats as opposed to those who lived in a village of only a few goats.
The name Geißendörfer is likely to be an occupational name, which denotes that the original bearer of the name would have been involved in the pastoralism of goats. It is likely that the original bearer of the name would have kept the goats in areas of pasture where other animals could not be successfully grazed.
Overall, the last name Geißendörfer is one with a rich origin from the Middle Ages and continues to be a common last name today. Its literal translation is 'goat-village', likely referencing a person who was associated with goats and agricultural work, and its original bearer likely lived in a the area of Bavaria or Rhein-Main.
Order DNA origin analysisGeißendörfer: Where does the name Geißendörfer come from?
The last name Geißendörfer is mainly found in Germany, where it is relatively common, though not among the most common surnames. It is not usually seen in other countries.
The first known use of the name was recorded in 1528, when one Johannes Geißendörfer was mentioned in documents related to the city of Mömbris in Bavaria, Germany. Since then, the name has largely remained in the area around Mömbris, moving outwards to the wider region of Bavaria and the south of Germany more generally.
Today, in Bavaria and the southern regions of Germany, the last name Geißendörfer is fairly common—it ranked as the 4,679th most common name in 2018. However, the name is far less common in other places. People with the last name Geißendörfer are most likely to be found in the south of Germany, Bavaria in particular.
Variations of the surname Geißendörfer
Geißendörfer is a German surname with many variant spellings and associated surnames. Originally, the name derived from the Middle High German “Giessen-torf” and literally translates as “Goat’s turf”.
Geißendörfer is the most common and traditional spelling, although it can also be spelled as "Geissendörfer", "Geißendörfer", "Geyssendörfer", "Geyßendörfer" or "Gaisendörfer". As with many German family names, the final ‘r’ in the spelling can be dropped.
Associated surnames include Geißendorf, Gaisendorf, Gässendörfer, Geisendorff, Gaisendörffer, Geysendorffer and Gaisendorff. The surname may also be found spelled in its anglicized form as Gassendoffer, Gassendorp, Gassendorf, Gassendorff, Gaissendorf, Gaissendorff, Geysehndorfer, Gaissendoffer, Geysendofer and Geysendorf.
The surname has been found in the regions of Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland and the Rhineland in Germany, and pockets of its bearers may also be found in countries around the world where German-speaking people have emigrated to.
Geißendörfer is a name representative of Germany’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage, and has left an enduring legacy throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Geißendörfer
- Johannes Geißendörfer: German actor, film director, and producer
- Matteo Geißendörfer: German football goalkeeper
- Moritz Geißendörfer: German former footballer
- Ralf Geißendörfer: German film director, screenwriter and playwright
- Reiner Geißendörfer: German film producer
- Thomas Geißendörfer: German film director
- Ulrich Geißendörfer: German actor, director, and film producer
- Wolfgang Geißendörfer: German film producer and musician