Surname Gassner - Meaning and Origin
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Gassner: What does the surname Gassner mean?
The surname Gassner is a German name derived from the Middle High German phrase gassen heer meaning “host from the street”, referencing a person belonging to a community who lived outside in the streets. The “Gass” element of the word means “hollow” or “alley” and “er” means “man” or “family”. In some instances the surname can also be related to the Old German word “Gassa” which means “goose”, probably referring to someone in a family line who had a special affinity or connection with the animal.
In terms of its geographical location, the surname likely originated in the region of Swabia in Bavaria, Germany, and is still commonly found in the Bavarian region, as well as parts of Austria, Switzerland, and Alsace. It’s believed there are several variations of the spelling, such as Gassner, Gasner, Gäsner, Gaßner, and Gaesner, although all of these variations are believed to refer to the same source.
The Gassner surname is primarily associated with occupations in farming and agriculture, due to its connections with Swabian and Bavarian culture. In addition, many members of the Gassner family are known to have connections to the military, being prominent members of the Swedish, Austrian, German, and Prussian Armed Forces.
The name Gassner carries prestige and honor and is truly a testament to the hearty, courageous, and creative spirit of those of Swabian and Bavarian descent. It is a proud testament to the history and heritage of many generations of Gassner family members.
Order DNA origin analysisGassner: Where does the name Gassner come from?
The last name Gassner is quite common in Europe, especially in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This is likely because the name originated from the German language, where its meaning translates to “goose plucker”.
In Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the area surrounding the Black Forest in the southwest of the country. The highest concentration in Germany is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, with 1,491 holders of the name recorded as living in the state. In the city of Stuttgart, there are estimated to be about 500 Gassners.
In Austria, the surname is also relatively common, particularly in the Tyrol region in western Austria near the German and Swiss border, where it is recorded to have been present since the 12th century.
In Switzerland, the Gassner surname is particularly common in the canton of Valais, where it is the fifth most common surname in the canton.
In North America, Gassner is much less common than in Europe. However, there are pockets of occurrences of the name. In the United States, Gassner is most commonly found in the Midwestern region of the country, particularly in Minnesota and Illinois, with some records of the name in Iowa and Wisconsin as well.
The last name Gassner is today most common in Europe, particularly in the German-speaking countries and cantons, although there is a widespread presence of Gassner’s in other countries and continents as well.
Variations of the surname Gassner
The Gassner surname has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common spelling is ‘Gassner’. Variants include ‘Gassman’, ‘Gassmann’, ‘Gassen’ and ‘Gässner’, as well as archaic spellings ‘Gaissner’ and ‘Gazner’. Surnames descended from Gassner include Gässmann (a German patronymic surname), Gässling (a diminutive form, common in Switzerland) and Gässl (a Danish or Swedish spelling).
The origin of the Gassner surname is uncertain. Suggested origins range from toponymic references (based on the place of origin of the first individual bearing the name, often a village or region associated with the Gassner surname) to occupational references (referencing the profession of the first individual bearing the name). Some examples of this latter possibility include Gässling, derived from the Swiss/German term “Gässle” (meaning “roof tile worker”), or Gassmann, a derivative of the German term “Gassenarbeiter” (literally “people who work in the street”).
Whichever of these suggested origins is correct, or which combination is responsible for the Gassner surname, this family name has developed numerous variant spellings and surnames over the centuries, making Gassner one of the oldest and most numerous surnames in Europe.
Famous people with the name Gassner
- Wolf Gassner: Wolf Gassner is a German theater director, dramaturge, and professor for artistic direction at the Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland.
- Johann Gassner: Johann Gassner was a German sculptor from Wyhl, Germany. He is best known for his famous wooden sculptures of classical mythology characters.
- Johann Baptist Gassner: Johann Baptist Gassner was an Austrian-German sculptor who worked mainly in the Rococo style.
- Eduard Gassner: Eduard Gassner was an Austrian painter from Vienna, best known for his plein air seascapes and landscapes.
- Michael Gassner: Michael Gassner is an Austrian composer and sound designer.
- Christian Gassner: Christian Gassner was a life-long painter from Slovakia, active from the 1940s to the 2000s.
- Richard Gassner: Richard Gassner is an Austrian actor, best known for his work in theatre and television.
- Catarina Gassner: Catarina Gassner was an Austrian painter from Vienna, most known for her paintings of animals and nature.
- Christine Gassner: Christine Gassner is an Austrian warm glass artist, noted for her abstract sculptures which merge glass and natural elements such as wood, stones, and roots.
- Nicole Gassner: Nicole Gassner is an Austrian creative director, artist, and entrepreneur. Her company creates visual content for television, events, and media campaigns.