Surname Greilinger - Meaning and Origin

Greilinger: What does the surname Greilinger mean?

The last name Greilinger is of German origin and can be found in both Austria and Bavaria, where it is most commonly used. The name is derived from the medieval German word "grili", meaning "person from Gril", a small village in the Bavarian Alps. The root of the name can be traced back to the Old High German "grila" or "greila", meaning "gravel".

The name Greilinger may have derived from a family of gravel miners, since in medieval times gravel was an important building material. Alternatively, it may have referred to a family of tenants who lived in a gravel-floored house; during that time, it was common for poor tenants to live in such dwellings.

The Greilinger family has been in existence since at least the 1400s and they have contributed to many aspects of Bavarian culture over the centuries. Some notable Greilingers include Heinrich Greilinger, a Bavarian astronomer who made great discoveries in the field of celestial mechanics; Johann Greilinger, a famous Franciscan monk who wrote poetry and established a baptistry in Isny; and Johann Baptist Greilinger, a Bavarian military officer who fought in the Napoleonic wars.

Today, the Greilinger surname is still quite popular in Austria and Bavaria, although it has spread to other countries as well. People with this last name can be found throughout Europe, as well as in the United States and Canada. Despite its long history, the meaning of the Greilinger name remains mostly a mystery.

Greilinger: Where does the name Greilinger come from?

The Greilinger surname is most commonly found in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is notably present in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but can also be found in other countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary. According to the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s records on surnames, there were nearly 13,000 Greilinger families in the late 19th century.

The Greilinger surname is particularly well-represented in the German state of Bavaria. There, it is used by over 1780 families. In the Steiermark (Styria) region of Austria, there were nearly 600 Greilinger families by the 19th century. In Switzerland, there are currently over 350 Greilingers. In addition, the surname can be found in the Czech Republic and Hungary, albeit in smaller numbers than other regions of Europe.

Due to Europe’s migration patterns, it is likely to find individuals of the Greilinger surname in other, non-European countries. In America, for example, there are currently around 355 Greilingers. Of these, most live in the north-east of the United States. The Greilinger surname can also be found in Canada, Australia, and beyond.

In conclusion, the Greilinger surname is most common in German-speaking regions of Europe, with large numbers in Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland. It can also be found in other parts of the world due to migration, with smaller numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Variations of the surname Greilinger

The surname Greilinger is an ancient German surname of several origins. It can be spelled Greilinger, Greiling, Greilingger, and Greilingers. Aside from being spelled differently, it can also change its root depending on the region and language. It can be Greilinger, Graelinger, Greely, Greeling, Greelinger, Greilingerin, Greilingerinweger, Greilenberger, and Gräling.

In Austria and some parts of Germany, Greilinger is derived from the Middle High German vergreilen meaning "to lock into a bird cage". This is a reference to a type of early jail cell trap used to capture birds or wild animals. The surnames Gräling and Graelinger can also be derived from this meaning, with Gräling being an alternative spelling of Greilinger in some areas.

In South Germany, there is also a Greilinger variant that is derived from a nickname or alias. It comes from the Middle High German greil meaning thief. This is an occupational name for someone who is a thief or has stolen goods. Variations of this root include Grailing, Greilinger, Grehlinger, Grailinger, Greiling, and Grehl.

Another Greilinger origin in Austria is derived from a location, with Greilinger referring to the man from Greilalfingen, which was an area in Swabia. Variations of this root include Greeling and Greilingers.

Overall, there are many variations of this German surname, with its origins being somewhat varied. Some variants refer to occupations, some refer to an item, some refer to an area, and others refer to a nickname or alias.

Famous people with the name Greilinger

• John Greilinger: American business executive, pilot and philanthropist.
• Sid Greilinger: American businessman, investor, and philanthropist
• Wilhelm Greilinger: German geologist and explorer
• Larry Greilinger: American entrepreneur, technology executive and investor
• William Greilinger: former United States Army Brigadier-General
• Miles Greilinger: Vice President for Financing and Development for Keystone Property Group
• Rudolf Greilinger: German physicist, architect, and inventor
• Matthew Greilinger: songwriter and musician, recording artist with main band 'Murder in Mint'.
• Bob Greilinger: former executive director of New Jersey Hospital Association
• Tom Greilinger: land title professional, attorney, and former political candidate from Illinois

Other surnames

Greiling