Surname Ganssl - Meaning and Origin
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Ganssl: What does the surname Ganssl mean?
The surname Ganssl is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German words ‘ganse’ and ‘sel’, which refer to a person who owned or raised geese. This type of occupation was quite common in Germany during the Middle Ages, which is why the name Ganssl became popular among the country's inhabitants. The name has also been found in East Prussia and other parts of eastern and northern Europe.
In some early records of the name Ganssl, it was documented as 'Gänssel', 'Ganczl', and 'Gansl'. These variants signify that the root of the name was taken from the word for a gander; a male goose. In fact, the term can still be seen throughout German-speaking regions in the form 'Gänser' - a diminutive of 'Gans'.
The surname Ganssl is also common among Jewish people, especially Ashkenazi Jews. This is due to its inclusion in the 18th century rabbinical record 'Geschichte der Juden' by Michael Welitsch, which indicated that several Ganssl families had lived in the German villages of Nußbaum and Salchendorf.
The Ganssl surname is an interesting piece of German family history; it serves as a reminder of the vital role that early German settlers had in domesticating and farming animals, such as geese. Today, this surname is still used throughout Europe and is featured in many family trees.
Order DNA origin analysisGanssl: Where does the name Ganssl come from?
The last name Ganssl is most prevalent in Germany today. Specifically, it is most common in the capital city of Berlin, where the highest population of Ganssls currently resides.
In the Berlin district of Treptow-Köpenick, Ganssls comprise almost one percent of the total population. This area has become the heart of the Ganssl community in Germany, with many other related last names such as Ganßler, Ganssauge, and Ganssdorf also concentrated in the area.
The surname Ganssl shows up as far back as medieval times, with the city of Saarbrücken in Rhineland-Palatinate having the earliest known record of the name in 1577. Today, there are Ganssls living in other cities in Germany such as Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich, as well as throughout the state of Bavaria.
The last name Ganssl has a presence outside of Germany among those living in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Finland. In the U.S., those bearing the last name are mostly concentrated in New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Despite its roots in Germany, the last name Ganssl today has a global reach and presence beyond its country of origin. With more and more Ganssls settling abroad, the surname will continue to have a lasting presence for years to come.
Variations of the surname Ganssl
The surname Ganssl is believed to have two variants; Ganss and Gans. It is also spelled in various ways, including Ganssel, Ganssle, Gansul, and Ganssler.
Ganssl is a German surname that was derived from a particular place the family originally lived. Research suggests the surname originated in the region of Franconia in Bavaria, near the historic town of Nuremberg. The name is thought to have derived from the Old German word “Gans” which translates to “goose” and suggests the family was likely farmers or hunters, who kept and traded in geese and other birds.
Ganssl may have also come from the word “Ganslau,” which is another Old German word meaning “swamp”, “marsh”, or “moist lands”. This suggests that the family may have lived and farmed on a marshy, boggy area of land, likely in the regions of Bavaria or Swabia.
The surname was likely adopted by multiple families across Europe, resulting in a range of different spelling variations. For example, the surnames Gans, Gansle, Gansul, Gansler, and Ganssler are all believed to be related to Ganssl.
Today, the Ganssl name could be found in areas of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, as well as other places in Europe. Over the years, many of the original immigrant families have spread across the globe and the Ganssl name can be found internationally, including in South America, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Ganssl
- Marshall Ganz: American political organizer and George Cohen Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University.
- Steve Ganssle: rocket scientist, U.S. Airforce Colonel, and author.
- Rick Ganssle: former member of the U.S. Air Force and bronze medalist in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Eric Ganssle: photographer based in Pennsylvania.
- Margaret Ganssle: Canadian artist and author.
- Don Ganssle: professional bass fisher and tournament winner.
- Will Ganssle: Major League Baseball player from the early 1900s.
- Eric Ganssle: German actor and director.
- Terry Ganssle: American musician and composer.
- Jack Ganssle: American computer engineer and programming language designer.