Surname Greisle - Meaning and Origin
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Greisle: What does the surname Greisle mean?
The last name Greisle (or Grisley) is of English origin and is an occupational surname for a greyhound keeper, or a person who bred or raced greyhounds. It is derived from the Old English word “grisal”, meaning “greyhound”. The name would have also likely been given to hunters and wranglers of these hounds, and to athletes who competed in hound races. The earliest reference to the name was found in the Oxfordshire Hundred Rolls of 1279, and was likely brought by Anglo-Saxon settlers prior to that date.
Today, the last name Greisle is a reminder of the importance of the greyhounds in English medieval culture. Greyhounds were used for hunting and racing, as well as being popular pets for royals and nobles. Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures have even been discovered that depict greyhounds.
As the sport of greyhound racing has declined in recent decades, the last name Greisle is becoming less common. Nonetheless, there are still people with the name in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. Along with providing a connection to a unique, interesting period of English and international history, it is also an important reminder of the immense bond that humans have shared with these noble animals throughout the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisGreisle: Where does the name Greisle come from?
The last name Greisle is of German origin and is still quite common in Germany today. The name is derived from the medieval personal name Greislo, which is derived from the Old High German name Greizilo. Although the name is not as common in the United States, there are still some people with the name who live in patterns of German and Alsatian settlement. The origin of the Greisle family can be traced back to the German lands of Franconia and Bavaria in the 12th century. It is likely the family were a respected line of landowners and powerful citizens.
Today in Germany, Greisle families are typically found in the south of the country, around the Black Forest, Bavaria, and some parts of Austria and Switzerland. The majority of the name holders can be found clustered in the western areas and tend to be concentrated around the Rheinland region. Outside of Germany, the family has spread to other European countries and to the United States and Canada. In the United States, you are more likely to find the surname in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio, as the areas were once major centers of German and Alsatian settlements.
Overall, the Greisle last name is still quite prevalent in Germany, although its presence in other parts of the world has been slowly spreading. The presence of Greisle families in the United States is not as common as in Germany, but their legacy still remains in some pockets of German and Alsatian settlement throughout the country.
Variations of the surname Greisle
The surname Greisle is of German origin, derived from the personal name Greis, a popular short form of the medieval name Gregorius, meaning “alert” or “watchful.” The surname Greisle is generally found in the German regions of Bavaria and the Pfalz. Variants of the surname Greisle include Grisel, Greise, Greis, Greese, Griess, Greßel and Greesele. It can also be found as alternate spellings such as Griesel, Greisler, Grisler, Griesle, Graisel and Graisler.
The surnames Greisl and Greisler are derived from the same root name Greis, and are also common variations of the surname Greisle. Greisl is a variation found in Southern Bavaria, and is derived from the same medieval name Gregorius. Greisler, on the other hand, is found mainly in the Pfalz region in Germany and is the combination of the root name Greis and the suffix -ler, which is often used to indicate an occupational surname derived from an occupation, descent or locality.
In addition to the variants previously mentioned, the surnames Griesel and Griesler are compound versions of the root Greis, with the addition of either the suffix -el or -er. The suffix -el is derived from the Old High German element -helm meaning “helmet” and is found mainly in Bavaria. The suffix -er is derived from the Middle High German element -er, meaning “dweller” or “inhabitant” and is found mainly in the Rhineland.
The surnames Greisle, Greisl and Greisler can generally all be traced back to the same root name – Greis. With slight variations in spelling and regional use, these surnames represent the same origin and can all be used to connect to roots of German descent.
Famous people with the name Greisle
- Jason Greist: an American comedy actor and writer, best known for portraying Billygoat on the sketch comedy series In Living Color.
- Wilhelmina Greist: an American entrepreneur and former Miss Michigan Universe
- Mike Greist: an American actor, best known for his roles in such films as Amadeus, Flashdance, The Terminator, and Portrait of a Lady.
- Daniel Greist: a English actor who appeared in films such as Dirty Dancing and National Lampoon's Vacation.
- William Greist, Jr.: a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland.
- Mark Greisler: an American voice actor who has voiced characters in many animated series, such as Scooby-Doo, Kim Possible, and Teen Titans.
- Edward H. Greist: a former registrar of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- John L. Greist: a former Surgeon General of the United States Navy.
- Jim Greist: an American professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour from 1973 to 1985.
- Gordon Greist: a retired American oil executive and politician. He served as a state representative in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1967 to 1977.