Surname Gefell - Meaning and Origin

Gefell: What does the surname Gefell mean?

The last name Gefell has German roots and is typically associated with people from the region of Gefell, Germany. The name is derived from the Old German word 'gefælle,' which means 'to fall.' This likely refers to the physical aspect of the area, as Gefell is situated on a large hill and was originally established in the 8th century in what is now the Thuringian Forest.

The earliest known recorded use of the Gefell surname dates to the 15th century in Heppingen, Germany. From this location the surname spread throughout Germany and eventually to the United States and Canada in the 19th century, when many German immigrants moved to the new world. Those with the Gefell surname are typically of German heritage and it is still a common surname in modern-day Germany.

The name Gefell is a reminder of the German heritage and history of the people who carry it, and signifies a connection to the history of the area from which it originated. Today, the last name Gefell is still seen in Germany and across the world, and is likely to continue to represent an important part of family history for generations to come.

Gefell: Where does the name Gefell come from?

The last name Gefell is a very uncommon name today. It appears to be a very old name the origin of which is uncertain. It is thought to either have Germanic or Jewish origins.

The surname Gefell is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. It appears from records that the surname appeared in Germany as far back as the 15th century, with references in various records and archives.

Other countries that the surname appears in with any significant frequency are Austria, Czech Republic, United States and Canada. However, it has a much lower frequency in these countries than it does in Germany.

In the United States, there appears to be a concentration of families with this name in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, accompanied by smaller concentrations in Michigan, California, Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia. In Canada, the same pattern is seen with a concentration of Gefell families in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Generally speaking, the last name Gefell is a relatively uncommon one, and provides no clues as to an individual’s ethnic or cultural origins.

Variations of the surname Gefell

The surname Gefell is believed to be of Germanic origin. It is derived from the old German words "Gefa" meaning companion and "Ellen" meaning helmet or protection.

Variants of the surname Gefell include Gefelle, Geffel, Gefall, Goffel, Jeffels, and Gefull. Alternative spellings of the surname Gefell include Gefall, Gotfel, Goefle, Gofel, Geffel, Jeffels, Gefull, Geffl, Gefullen, Goffell, Geoffrey, Goffe, Goffee, Govaerts, Gefel, Gefelli, Gevele, Gefelli, Gefelty, Gefelt, Gaffell, Gofelty, Gefellty, and Gefally.

Surnames of similar origin include Gefels, Gefler, Geffers, Gaffelman, Gefen, Geffen, Geffenbauer, Gefenbaum, Gefkin, Gefner, Gefzil, Gefner, Gefon, Gefus, Gofmann, Geffken, Gevirtz, Gefenson, and Goeffen.

The surname Gefell is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. However, it is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Gefell is also sometimes found in Jewish families, which is likely a result of Jewish immigrants from Germany and Austria who came to other countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In conclusion, the surname Gefell has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. These include Gefelle, Geffel, Gefall, Goffel, Jeffels, Gefull, Gefals, Gotfel, Goefle, Gofel, Geffel, Jeffels, Gefull, Geffl, Gefullen, Goffell, Geoffrey, Goffe, Goffee, Govaerts, Gefel, Gefelli, Gevele, Gefelli, Gefelty, Gefelt, Gaffell, Gofelty, Gefellty, Gefally, Gefels, Gefler, Geffers, Gaffelman, Gefen, Geffen, Geffenbauer, Gefenbaum, Gefkin, Gefner, Gefzil, Gefner, Gefon, Gefus, Gofmann, Geffken, Gevirtz, Gefenson, and Goeffen. All of these variants, spellings and surnames are believed to be of Germanic origin.

Famous people with the name Gefell

• Max Gefell, German actor and director
• Ina Gefell, German theater director
• Joe Gefell, former Major League Baseball player
• Martha Gefell, American physical therapist
• Mel Gefell, American sculptor
• Jerry Gefell, American military doctor
• Peter Gefell, German politician
• Babette Gefell, German entrepreneur
• William Gefell, American composer
• Frank Gefell, American contemporary artist

Other surnames

Gefeller