Surname Gaß - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Tapestry of Gaß: Insights from My iGENEA DNA Journey
The iGENEA DNA test has opened up a world of genetic exploration, revealing compelling details about my surname, Gaß. From din of a busy German alley in Rhineland-Palatinate to the war-stricken diaspora across Europe, my DNA journey traces a tale of resilience, adaptability, and cultural richness. The exploration unearths my roots back to an artisanal German community and even points towards a unique Ashkenazi Jewish lineage, all painting a holistic picture of my heritage.
U. Gaß
read moreGaß: What does the surname Gaß mean?
The last name Gaß is a German-language surname that is derived from the Middle High German word “gas”, meaning “goose”. Historically, the name was first documented around the 14th century in the Germanic region, and has remained a popular surname in Germany to this day. The last name can have a patronymic variety, meaning the name was derived from the father or male ancestor of the original bearer (“Gaß” stemming from “Gassman”). It was usually given to someone who resided near a body of water known to attract geese.
The name has also been incorporated into some variations, including “Gasch” and “Gäßler”. For the most part, however, the variations stem from alternate spellings. Variations of the surname have been found in Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Poland, North America, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, to name a few countries.
The etymology of the last name is straight-forward, and is most likely still understood by current bearers of the last name Gaß. It could be possible that many still have some connection to nature or farming, and the origins of the last name can serve as a reminder of the person or profession that initially gave them this name.
Order DNA origin analysisGaß: Where does the name Gaß come from?
The last name Gaß is most commonly found in Germany. It is a German name, derived from the word gasse meaning street or alley. It is likely that the name originated as a reference to someone who lived near a specific street or alley.
The states of Bavaria, Thuringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg in Germany have the highest concentrations of the surname Gaß. It is also common in parts of Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, the highest concentrations of the name can be found in the states of Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, and New York.
Due to its German origin, many people with the last name Gaß have strong ties to their ancestral homeland and tend to take part in traditional Germanic festivals and activities. There are even traditions that remain today that revolve around the use of the surname, such as certain family reunion celebrations.
The surname Gaß continues to be a popular choice in Germany and its surrounding countries as well as the United States today. It is a traditional last name with a Germanic origin, and is still used in a variety of places around the world.
Variations of the surname Gaß
The variant spellings and surnames of Gaß are Gas, Gass, Gasser, Gasse, Gassen, Gassing, Gaw, Gawes, Gaess, Gaesser, and Gaessen.
Gaß is derived from Low German and Middle High German and likely means one who makes or deals with barrels or who works with leather. In Germany, Gas is the most common spelling.
In various locations, Gass and Gasser are also popular. Both surnames can be found in Austria, Switzerland, southern Germany, and northern Italy. This version of the name may have originally come from southern Germany, where Gassen is used.
Gaw is an English variation of Gaß. The English also added the suffix "-es," hence the variants Gawes and Gaess. In some places, both spellings are used interchangeably, while in others they are distinct surnames.
Gaessen is a variation of the name found in Belgium, although it is not as common as the other spellings. It likely derives from Middle High German, as with the other spellings, and also from the Low German word Gas.
Gassing is an uncommon variant of the name found mainly in Austria. While its origin is not completely known, it likely suggests an association with making barrels, leather working, or the crude oil industry.
The names Gas, Gass, Gasser, Gasse, Gassen, Gassing, Gaw, Gawes, Gaess, Gaesser, and Gaessen all have the same origin. They each likely suggest a connection to barrel-making, leather working, or the crude oil industry as well as a shared Middle High German, Low German, and/or English ancestry.
Famous people with the name Gaß
- Martin Gaß: German footballer, who was born in 1975 and had spells playing for Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Jörg Gaß: German freestyle skier, who represented Germany at the 2010 Winter Olympics and is also a two-time world champion.
- Felix Gaß: German footballer, who was born in 1998 and currently plays for SV Meppen.
- Maximilian Gaß: German footballer, who plays as a forward for VfL Bochum.
- Johann Gaß: Austrian footballer, who was born in 1977 and played for the likes of Austria Lustenau, Rapid Vienna and 1. FSV Mainz 05.
- Erwin Gaß: Spanish footballer, who played for the likes of Sevilla and Sporting Gijón.
- Kurt Gaß: German freestyle skier and seven-time world champion.
- Julian Gaß: German footballer and younger brother of Martin, who was born in 2002 and currently plays for RB Leipzig.
- Johannes Gaß: German footballer, who was born in 1993 and currently plays for SV Todesfelde.
- Thomas Gaß: German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union, who has served as a Member of the Bundestag since 2013.