Surname Gefers - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gefers: What does the surname Gefers mean?
The last name Gefers is an occupational surname of Germanic origin, derived from the Medieval Latin word “gifarii”, which translates to “tax collector”. It is most likely a name originally bestowed upon a hereditary official family within a Germanic kingdom as a mark of their professional status, and is widely thought to date back to the 12th century. It is also likely that different families bearing the Gefers surname have different specific areas or locales of origin.
The name Gefers is not overly common, and is found mainly in Germany, with some families also present in the United States and other countries. Variants of the name include Geferes, Geffers, Gef Tess, and Gefferts. It is associated with other Germanic surnames such as Geffert, Gifert, Giffert, and Gifterer, all meaning the same thing.
Those bearing the Gefers name today may be proud of their family’s unique identity and heritage, and can use sites like Ancestry.com to discover more information about the history of their surname. It may be interesting to discover if the original family bearing the Gefers name is still in existence, or what places and cultures the family has been connected to throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisGefers: Where does the name Gefers come from?
The last name Gefers is common today in a variety of countries, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. The name is thought to be of Dutch or Low German origin and is derived from the Old German word "gaf," meaning gift or reward.
The name is most common in Germany, particularly in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also observed in Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Besides the Low Countries, Gefers is also found in England and Scotland, suggesting an Anglo-Saxon element in the name's history.
Gefers is also found in the United States, where the name is most commonly associated with immigrants from the countries in which the name is most frequently observed. It is likely that Gefers immigrants first arrived in the U.S. during the 19th century, when many Europeans emigrated to America for a better life. In the present day, the name is most commonly identified with people of German, Austrian, or Dutch descent.
Variations of the surname Gefers
The surname Gefers is of German origins and first appeared in the Middle Ages. It is derived from either of three sources: from the German word "gefahr", meaning danger or peril; or from a short form of the personal names Gerard or Godefroy; or from the German occupational name "Gärtner" for a gardener.
Variants of the name Gefers include Gaffers, Gäfers, Gefres, Geferss, Gafers, Gafferss and Gefärgers. The variations of Gefers can also include different spellings and attempts at anglicization such as Gaffers, Gafferson, Gaffersen, Gefersen, Geferson, Gaffersson and Gaffesen.
The various surnames derived from the same source, Gefers, also include Gäfers, Gefres and Geferss which are variants of the original Gefers. Other surnames that have the same origin as Gefers are Gattfors, Gavfer, Gofers, Goff, Gaff, Gavf, Goffer, Gofferss, Goffesen, Gafferson, Gefersen, Geferson, Gaffesson, and Gaffesen.
The various forms and spellings of Gefers demonstrate the changes that come with migration and the alteration of language and spelling from one area to another and from one era to another. It is also indicative of how many different families with a common family name can originate from the same source.
Famous people with the name Gefers
- Eli Gefers: Professional wrestler and amateur kickboxer, originally from Mexico City.
- Mary Gefers: American former professional tennis player and a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Hall of Fame inductee.
- Ryan Gefers: American former professional ice hockey player best remembered as a Boston Bruins goaltender during the early 2000s.
- Laura Gefers: Popular Canadian country-pop singer with hits like “Only Room” and “Quiet Star”.
- Samuel Gefers: Notable Dutch Jewish composer, known for his works in the classical and baroque eras, as well as pieces for the theater.
- Christopher Gefers: German opera singer who performed at the Graz Opera House, later becoming a Royal Court Singer at the German court.
- Teresa Gefers: Spanish television presenter known for appearances on ESPN Deportes and NBC Universo.
- Willem Gefers: Dutch artist and architect from the 16th century who designed several prominent landmarks in Amsterdam such as the Jesuit church and the gatehouse of the Royal Palace.
- Jacob Gefers: French salmon farmer and early pioneer in the aquaculture industry.
- Anita Gefers: Argentinian-American contemporary artist best known for her work with fabric and thread.