Surname Geisenhöner - Meaning and Origin
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Geisenhöner: What does the surname Geisenhöner mean?
The last name Geisenhöner is derived from two German words, geis meaning "goose" and höner meaning "servant". Thus, the literal translation of the surname Geisenhöner is "goose herder".
This name was most likely used as an occupational surname, describing a family whose primary job was herding and managing geese. During the medieval period, geese served as an important source of feathers, meat, and eggs, so people who worked with them had a very important job in the community. The Geisenhöners would have been responsible for caring for, fattening, and providing access to these birds for those who needed them.
The Geisenhöners would also have been responsible for moving the geese from one grazing area to another as well as safeguarding the livestock from predators such as foxes. People belonging to the Geisenhöner surname also may have been involved in trade and sale of geese-related products such as feathers, meat, and eggs. They would also have had knowledge of the breeding and care of geese, which could be seen as a fairly specialized skill in medieval times.
Today, there are many descendants of the Geisenhöner family, scattered all over the world. Although the family's original livelihood has been lost in the modern times, the last name serves as a reminder of their past.
Order DNA origin analysisGeisenhöner: Where does the name Geisenhöner come from?
The last name Geisenhöner is commonly found today in Germany and other parts of Western Europe, namely Austria, Switzerland, and France. It is also found in the United States in communities of German ancestry, where it was likely introduced during the early- to mid-19th century by immigrants from Germany.
The name Geisenhöner is thought to have first arisen in the Silesian region of what is now Germany in the early 12th century. At that time, the region was part of the Duchy of Silesia, an area which was divided by the 14th century as a result of divisions between various rulers. During the 19th century, many Silesian immigrants left the area, likely as a result of religious and economic strife. Many of these immigrants chose to settle in the newly-formed United States, particularly in the Midwest and along the east coast.
In present-day Germany, the name Geisenhöner is present in most of the country’s regions; however, its concentration is highest in the states of Saxony and Lower Saxony. It is also fairly widely spread throughout France, especially in Alsace and Lorraine, while in Switzerland, it is most common in the Canton of Bern.
The spelling of the name, however, can vary, with some people opting to use the more easily-pronounced variant, Geisenhoner. No matter the spelling, though, the Geisenhöner surname is still widespread and recognizable today.
Variations of the surname Geisenhöner
The surname Geisenhöner is of German origin, and has several variations, spellings and surnames.
The most common variant spelling of the surname is Gisenhoner, although there are other spellings which include Gisenhöhner, Gisenhöner, Gisenhoner, Giseenower, Gisenhower, Gisenhoener, Gisenhofer, and Giesgenhöner.
Variants of Geisenhoener are also seen in other languages such as Dutch, and the most common form is Geisnhoner. This spelling is seen in the Netherlands and northern Germany.
The origins of the Geisenhöner surname can be traced back to the Old German word 'honer/hoenen' which translates to 'prepare for use', and the origin of this word is the Middle German word 'hoeven'.
The surname has several alternative variants including Gisenhouwer, Geisenylzer, Geisenhauer, Geisenblower, Geisenheise, Gisenhemer, Geisenfielder, Giesenhoff, Giesenheiner, Geisenbronner, Geisenheller, Geisenfeler, Geisnenhausen, and Gisenhove.
Some of these alternative spellings and surnames were used to designate a particular region in Germany or France where the Geisenhöner surname originated from, such as Geisenfeler (Flanders) and Geisenblower (Lorraine).
Unrelated to the Geisenhöner surname is the Italian surname Giesen, which originates from the Italian word 'Giecen', meaning 'family'. This surname is also found in Germany, having been brought by German immigrants to Italy.
In conclusion, there are many variants, alternate spellings, and derivatives of the German Geisenhöner surname. These include, but are not limited to, Gisenhoner, Gisenhöhner, Gisenhöner, Giseenower, Gisenhower, Gisenhoener, Gisenhofer, Giesgenhöner, Geisenylzer, Geisenhauer, Geisenblower, Geisenheise, Gisenhemer, Geisenfielder, Giesenhoff, Giesenheiner, Geisenbronner, Geisenheller, Geisenfeler, Geisnenhausen, Gisenhove, Geisnhoner, and Giesen.
Famous people with the name Geisenhöner
- Gilbert Geisenhöner (footballer)
- Michael Geisenhöner (chess master)
- Johann Geisenhöner (painter)
- Georg Geisenhöner (composer)
- Franz Geisenhöner (sculptor)
- Karl Geisenhöner (architect)
- Werner Geisenhöner (film director)
- Hermann Geisenhöner (philosopher)
- Magdalene Geisenhöner (opera singer)
- Andreas Geisenhöner (politician)