Surname Ganss - Meaning and Origin
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Ganss: What does the surname Ganss mean?
The last name Ganss is a German name meaning “goose”. This surname originates from the Old German word "gans", which was used to describe the common bird. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname is found in the 13th century, and the name is believed to have originated from a nickname for a person with the physical characteristics of a goose. It may also have been given to a person who lived near a lake where geese were found.
Ganss is an uncommon name, but it’s spread throughout much of Europe. It’s found mainly in Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Scandinavian countries.
In Germany, Ganss is listed as “one of the commonest family names,” and it’s estimated that there are more than 6,100 individuals who bear the name.
In America, Ganss is a relatively rare name. The few people who bear the name in the U.S. are likely the descendants of German immigrants who came to America in the late 19th and early 20th century.
In some instances, the last name Ganss may also have originated as a habitational name, as people may have been named after a house or property with the name Gans in it.
Overall, the last name Ganss is a unique surname of German origin and is not widely spread, but it still has a strong presence in German and European culture.
Order DNA origin analysisGanss: Where does the name Ganss come from?
The last name Ganss is most common in the countries of Germany and Austria. Since the 10th century, individuals with the Ganss surname have existed in what is now modern Germany, primarily in Bavaria.
The Ganss surname is derived from the German word gans, meaning "goose." With the 12th century came the emergence of Ganss hereditary nobility within Greater Frankonia. As time progressed, many of these Ganss families with nobility ties migrated and spread to other parts of Europe such as Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, and Russia.
Today, the majority of the last name Ganss can still be found in the same areas that it has been around for centuries, primarily in Germany and Austria, yet there are other countries with a comparatively larger number of Ganss individuals. In the United States, Ganss families can primarily be found in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In Canada, most Ganss families live in Ontario and the neighboring province of Quebec.
With the rise of technology and increased levels of global migration, the Ganss name has spread from its original roots in Germany and Austria to many other countries across the world. Today, the Ganss name can be more frequently seen in areas such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Ganss
The surname Ganss is of German origin and can be spelled in several different forms such as Gans, Ganß, Gahnz, Gancs, Gantz, Gonss, Gantzke, Gantzman, Gantsch, Gentsch, Gens, and Gons.
Gans is the German spelling of the name and is derived from the Middle High German name ‘gans’, meaning ‘one who acts with great boldness’ or ‘strong and brave’. The Gans form of the surname is mostly found in the regions of Hesse and southwestern Germany.
The form Ganß is found in western and southwestern Germany and is derived from the Middle High German term ‘ganz’, meaning ‘whole’ or ‘entire’, suggesting a sense of completeness.
Gahnz is another variant of the name, found mostly in North Rhine Westphalia and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘ganze’, meaning ‘whole’.
Gancs is mostly found in the region of East and West Brandenburg and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘gance’, meaning ‘round’.
Gantz is another variant of the Gans surname found mostly in northern Germany. This form is a variant of the Middle High German word ‘ganc’, meaning ‘round’.
Gonss and Gantzke are found in the region of Oldenburg and are derived from Middle High German words ‘gonse’ and ‘gancke’, meaning ‘bold’ and ‘brave’, respectively.
Gantzman, Gantsch, Gentsch, Gens, and Gons are variants of the name found in western, southwestern and northern Germany. The name Gantsch is most likely of Czech origin and the variants Gentsch, Gens, and Gons are derived from Middle High German words ‘ganze’, meaning ‘whole’, and ‘gantz’, meaning ‘bold’.
Famous people with the name Ganss
- Andrew Ganss: American actor and dancer known for his roles in West Side Story, Assassination Nation, and The Umbrella Academy.
- Stanley Ganss: American composer and pianist, notable for winning a Grammy Award and Emmy Award.
- Sydney Ganss: American politician and public services worker who served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Bud Ganss: American former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for two seasons with the Washington Senators.
- Brett Ganss: Basketball player who was an assistant coach for the University of Texas men's basketball team.
- Eugen Ganss: German architect and painter who was a student of Friedrich von Schorlemer and Paul Schneider-Esleben.
- Johannes Ganss: Former Swiss Olympic racing cyclist who placed second for Switzerland in the 1962 Summer Olympics.
- Arthur Ganss: American athlete and coach who was the head men's basketball coach at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology from 1906 to 1909.
- Yingxi Ganss: Canadian professional tennis player who currently competes in the ITF Women's Circuit.
- André Ganss: Belgian sculptor and artist whose works have been featured in museums and galleries throughout Europe.