Surname Geyger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Geyger: What does the surname Geyger mean?
The last name Geyger is a German surname derived from the Latin personal name Georgius, meaning farmer or cultivator. This name likely originated with a family of farmers living in a rural German area. Geyger is also the German spelling of George, a common name found among people of both German and English descent.
The most common variants of this name are Geiger, Gyger and Geyger, all of which have been found in Germany since medieval times. The variant Geyger is recorded in the region of Bavaria from at least the 15th century. It is likely that the family of Geyger originated in the medieval times and settled around the area of Bavaria.
In the 21st century Geyger is still a relatively rare surname. A search of the German telephone book still yields few results. It is an indication that the Geyger family are likely of smaller number.
It is thought that the Geyger family are characterised by hardworking, industrious and loyal individuals. They take pride in their work, and value family obligations. They are also known for their friendly and helpful nature, and their ability to get along with others. Many members of the Geyger family are known to be unusually generous. Their strong sense of community and willingness to help their fellow man has made them a respected and valued part of their local German communities.
Order DNA origin analysisGeyger: Where does the name Geyger come from?
The last name Geyger is most commonly found mainly in Germany and Switzerland today. An estimated amount of around 5,000 people in Germany have the Geyger surname, with an additional 550 people in Switzerland listed in the most recent census data.
The Geyger family can be traced back to the 15th century in Germany. It is a patronymic last name, which is derived from a father or ancestor's given name, in this case the name 'Geyger.' In a whichever location a Geyger person is found, they can usually trace their roots back to Central Europe.
During the 1700s, many Geygers emigrated to America from Germany and Switzerland. In modern times, the Geyger surname can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, among other countries with significant German and Swiss settlements. Many of these settlements are predominantly populated by individuals from these countries who immigrated in search of a better life.
Interestingly, a much smaller population of Geyger families can be found across the world in places such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia, due to recent migrations of German Jews also in search of a better life.
In conclusion, the last name Geyger is most common in Germany and Switzerland today, with a significantly large population found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well.
Variations of the surname Geyger
The variants and spellings of the surname Geyger include Geiger, Geigers, Gehrig, Gehrig, Geygar, Geigar, Gieger, Giegar and Giger. Geyger is a patronymic surname derived from the German Given name Geiger/Geigar.
Patronymic surnames serve as a way to trace family connections and heritage. During the Middle Ages, it was extremely common in German speaking areas to take on the father's given name as a surname. An explanation for this was due to the large population numbers and to avoid confusion; this was the easiest way to differentiate between individuals. Additionally, with the increasing population numbers it also became consistent with a patriarchal system.
Geiger is a given name which is derived from the Middle High German term ‘geigere’ or ‘geigro’ which was used as an occupational name to describe a ‘player of stringed instruments’ such as a violin. While Gehrig and Gehrig are likely to be the result of a spelling mistake or dialect shift of the same surname.
As such Geyger is a fairly common surname today, predominately amongst German speaking people. It can be found as a patronymic throughout Western and Central Europe, as well as those of Germanic decent living in North and South America.
Famous people with the name Geyger
- Nikolai Geyger: Nikolai Geyger is an artist and fashion photographer from Santiago, Chile. He has been a professional photographer since 1992 and his work has been exhibited in various art galleries and museums around the world.
- Fritz Geyger: Fritz Geyger was an influential German architect and city planner active in the early 20th century. He was the head architect of the city of Stuttgart in the 1920s.
- Ignacio Geyger: Ignacio Geyger is an Argentine born, Los Angeles-based graffiti artist and hip-hop producer. He has collaborated with multiple artists, including Nas, Ice Cube, and Fat Joe.
- Paulo Geyger: Paulo Geyger is a Chilean-born, American-based contemporary dance performer, choreographer, teacher and filmmaker. He has been described as one of Chile’s foremost avant-garde performers and is the founder of Geyger Dance Company.
- Victoria Geyger: Victoria Geyger is an American-based fashion designer and investor who has used her knowledge and resources to create empowering fashion lines to help people from all different backgrounds. She has recently become involved in the tech industry, investing in potentially transformative startups.
- Daniel Geyger: Daniel Geyger is a Swiss-American composer, conductor, and pianist. He began his musical career as a concert pianist, having performed in venues around the world, and is renowned for his original compositions in a wide range of styles.
- Albert Geyger: Albert Geyger was a German-born American artist and illustrator. He is best known for his etchings, which depicted old-world scenes of castles, churches, and vineyards. His etchings are held in public institutions, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum.