Surname Gansl - Meaning and Origin
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Gansl: What does the surname Gansl mean?
The last name Gansl is of German origin and had its beginnings in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old German word "gans" meaning "goose" and was likely initially used as a nickname or sobriquet for somebody who was fond of or associated with geese.
Over time, this name would have become a hereditary surname and taken on an independent form, becoming Gansl. During the 15th to 18th centuries, the surname Gansl can be found in the records of various German towns and cities, usually associated with tradesmen, farmers and laborers.
Today, Gansl is a common surname in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other parts of Europe as well as in North America and other countries around the world with significant numbers of German-speaking immigrants. It is also present in the records of many prominent families, including those of government officials, military officers, clergymen and writers.
In all cases, whether associated with prominent figures or not, the last name Gansl still reflects the same meaning – that of a person associated with geese or, perhaps more broadly, with nature and the outdoors.
Order DNA origin analysisGansl: Where does the name Gansl come from?
The last name Gansl is most common in Austria and Germany today, but can also be found in other Central European countries. In Austria, Gansl is one of the 15 most common surnames with over 8,000 people bearing the name, while in Germany it is much less common, with fewer than 5,000 people registered as Gansl's.
The earliest recorded mention of the name Gansl can be traced back to a document from 1567, where a Johannes Gansl was listed as living in the Bavarian city of Schwabach near Nuremberg. Since then, the name has spread across much of Central Europe, most likely with the migration of families and individuals.
Gansl appears to be derived from the first two syllables of the German word “Ganshuhn”, which translates to "goose". This connection is supported by the fact that various coat of arms for the Gansl family include several depictions of geese, such as that of the family from Schwabach, which includes a head of a wild goose. It is likely that the name originally referred to someone who lived by a lake or river and hunted geese for a living.
Despite its prevalence in Austria and Germany, there are still significant Gansl populations in other parts of Central Europe, including in Hungary and Slovakia. With consistent migration and population flux across Europe today, it is likely that the name Gansl will continue to spread as more family members and individuals move to new countries.
Variations of the surname Gansl
The surname Gansl is a variant spelling of the German surname Gansel. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'ganse', meaning ' goose'. Other variations of this name are Gansel, Gansle, Gänsel, Ganzl, Gantzel, Gäntzel, Gantzl, Ganslów, and Ganslov. It is also found in some Eastern European countries spelled as Ganslava and Ganslovych.
In Germany, people with the surname Gansl may be descended from two distinct ancestral lines with the same surname. The first line originates from Franconia, where the name is believed to have originated from the Latin word 'gans', meaning 'goose'. The second line hails from Schleswig-Holstein in Northern Germany. It is believed to be derived from the name of an old farmstead, Gansele.
In Russia, the surname Ganslovych is commonly found, and is believed to have originated from the Ukrainian 'gansluv', meaning 'belonging to a goose'. In Austria, it is believed to have come from the Slavic 'ganslov', referring to a person who belonged to a clan of religious ascetics.
In England, the surname Gansel is believed to have come from the Old English pre 7th century personal name 'Gansel', itself derived from a diminutive of 'gans', meaning 'goose'.
No matter the origin, all of these surnames share a common root in the Middle High German word 'gans', being derived from 'goose', thus highlighting the ancient roots of this unique surname.
Famous people with the name Gansl
- Jacob Gansl: American actor, director, and producer.
- Ede Gansl: Austrian athlete who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.
- Julius Gansl: Austrian poet whose works focus on the beauty of nature.
- Márton Gánsl: Hungarian sculptor known for his realistic works.
- Edward Gansl: American lawyer and civil rights activist whose work focused on equal protection for disabled citizens.
- Emil Ganslmeir: Austrian architect and designer of the Vienna City Hall.
- Johanna Ganslmaier: German astronomer and writer known for her research on comets.
- Helen Gansl: Swiss art teacher and authority on antique textiles.
- Walther Ganslmayr: Austrian opera singer known for singing lead roles in performances of Mozart operas.
- Eva Ganslmeier: Austrian women's rights advocate who wrote essays and plays on the subject of women's emancipation.