Surname Ganslmayr - Meaning and Origin

Ganslmayr: What does the surname Ganslmayr mean?

The last name Ganslmayr is an occupational surname, deriving from the German word “gans” which means goose and “maier” meaning farmer. Ganslmayr translates roughly to “goose farmer”, which suggests the name was originally held by someone who herded geese. Historically, geese were a valuable commodity due to their valuable feathers, meat, and eggs. Keeping geese in large or small numbers would have been part of many farms.

In the late 16th century, the Ganslmayr family name was common in the region of Bavaria in what is now modern day Germany. Records show that the Ganslmayr family were residents of the city of Nürnberg during the height of its growth in the Middle Ages. Nürnberg was a major imperial social and economic center at this time, and many Ganslmayrs made their living as farmers and merchants.

Today, the modern-day spelling of the Ganslmayr surname is still found in countries across Europe, from Germany to the United Kingdom and beyond. The name Ganslmayr may still suggest its roots in farming, but now, its bearers are more likely to be found in urban settings, having since acquired the wide-reaching appeal of their former home in Nürnberg.

Ganslmayr: Where does the name Ganslmayr come from?

The last name Ganslmayr is most commonly found in Austria today, along with neighboring countries such as Germany and Switzerland. Ganslmayr is a rarity in other parts of the world - there are only a few hundred in the United States, a handful in Canada and Australia, and even fewer in the United Kingdom.

There are multiple possible origin stories for the name Ganslmayr. One theory posits that it is derived from the German word "ganz," meaning "entirely" or "wholly," and "mayer," an occupational name for a mayor or magistrate. According to this version, those bearing the last name Ganslmayr were likely mayors or magistrates.

Another version holds that Ganslmayr is an Austrian name meaning "goose farmer." This origin story is supported by the German "gans," meaning "goose," combined with "mayer" or "meir," thought to be derived from the Middle High German maijer, meaning "mayor."

Finding records of the Ganslmayr family is a challenge, as most of the original spellings of the last name have evolved over the years. However, it is possible to trace the Ganslmayr line through many generations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland today.

Variations of the surname Ganslmayr

Ganslmayr is an old Germanic surname that has many connected variants, spellings and surnames. Some variants of the spelling are Ganslehner, Gansleimer, Ganslmair and Ganslmaier. The most common variants of Ganslmayr are Gansl, Gansler, Ganslauer and Ganslmeier.

The surname Ganslmayr is also considered to have derived from the Germanic word 'ganz', meaning 'entire', 'complete' or 'whole'. This suggests that the original bearer of this surname was a person who was considered to be all-encompassing or all-purpose.

Other surnames that have a similar origin with Ganslmayr include Ganse, Ganser, Gansert, Gansl, Gansleiber and Ganslmeier. Additionally, this surname might have originated as a nickname for individuals who are exceptionally good at one thing, such as warfare or athletics.

Ganslmayr is also considered to have a Jewish origin and is derived from the Hebrew name 'Gans', meaning 'defence'. This variation was used by Jews in order to hide their identity during periods of anti-Semitism.

In some cases, Ganslmayr may also have been used to refer to people who lived near a goose or gander marsh. Thus, the surname Ganslmayr can have many different but connected origins.

Famous people with the name Ganslmayr

• Ludwig Ganslmayr (1883–1953), Austrian ophthalmologist
• Julius Ganslmayr (1820–1885), German classicist and ancient historian
• Richy Ganslmayr (born 1961), German Lutheran pastor and shepherd
• Lorenz Ganslmayr (1827–1890), German theologian
• Alexander Ganslmayr (1956–2019), Austrian structural engineer
• Mathias Ganslmayr (born 1967), Austrian astronaut
• Roman Ganslmayr (born 1991), Austrian American football player
• Peter Ganslmayr (1948–2006), Austrian engineer
• Wolfgang Ganslmayr (born 1923), Austrian-American geneticist
• Anton Ganslmayr (1861–1948), Austrian composer and organist

Other surnames

GanslmaierGanslmayerGänslmayer