Surname Greisler - Meaning and Origin

Greisler: What does the surname Greisler mean?

The last name Greisler is an occupational surname derived from German words meaning “gray seller”. It is thought to have originally been used to denote a professional person who sold garments or clothing that was tinted or dyed gray.

In German, the original form of the name was Greislers, which was a frequent occupation among shoemakers and tailors in the 15th century. The name was likely to have been used as a way to distinguish between different professions and help establish reputations within the community.

The popularity of the surname Greisler has since spread to the surrounding areas of Germany, particularly to places in Austria and Alsace, where it is still quite common. The surname can also be found in the United States, Canada, and England, although it is not as widespread as in Germany.

The use of the name later expanded beyond its original meaning to include other types of occupation and trades that involved gray fabrics. Today, many German-speakers with the surname Greisler work in fields ranging from tailoring and textiles to engineering and accounting.

Overall, the last name Greisler is a reminder of the diverse types of occupations that existed in German cultural and economic history. The name may have held a different meaning hundreds of years ago, but it still retains its original symbolism to those who bear it today.

Greisler: Where does the name Greisler come from?

The surname Greisler is mainly found in Central Europe. For example, it is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, although it is also present in other parts of Europe such as Croatia and Romania.

Greisler is an old Central European name which with time has spread to other countries throughout the world, especially the United States. According to census records, there are approximately 1,000 people with the surname Greisler living in the United States.

The American origins of the name can be traced back to at least the 1700s when Johann Greisler immigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania during the large German migration wave of that time. Wolfgang and Margaretha Greisler followed shortly after Johann in 1741, and the family has been present in the United States ever since.

Outside of the United States, the Greisler name is also found in countries around the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. According to Ancestry.com, there are around 600 people with the Greisler surname living in the United Kingdom today.

In recent times, the Greisler surname has spread even further, with records showing that there are approximately 200 people with the surname living in South America, 100 people in Africa, and 50 people in Asia.

All in all, the surname Greisler is common in many places throughout the world, from Central Europe to the United States and beyond.

Variations of the surname Greisler

The surname Greisler is of ancient Germanic origin and is found today in various variants, spellings and related surnames. Greisler is the original form of the name, but variants include Greis, Greiss, Gries, Grieser, Greiser (sometimes spelled Greisor), Greisser, Griess, Griesser, Gris, Griss, Greesy, Greesy, and Greese.

Some of the earliest recorded bearers of this name were Ulricus Greisler from Flanders in 1482, and Johannes Greisler from Heilbronn in 1540. The name may have originated as a nickname for a fierce fighter, derived from the old Germanic word 'gris', meaning 'wild boar', or 'grim', meaning 'fierce'.

Various related surnames also stem from Greisler. These include Griessmann, Griesbach, Griemel, Greiz, Greim, Greieler, Greimel, Greil, Greiner, Geist, Geils, Grisel, Grisold, Grisolia, Grisolia and Gesser.

In some cases, the spelling of the surname may also have been changed due to the great movement of people over the centuries, particularly during the Industrial and Agricultural Revolutions from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s. Here in the United States, many Greisler families may have arrived in the 1800s, and even more likely during the 20th century, primarily from Germany, France and Austria.

Famous people with the name Greisler

• Thomas Greisler, an American actor who had roles in films such as American History X and The Hangover.
• Harold Greisler, a German American actor who starred in the musical The Little Mermaid and TV shows like Law & Order.
• Tim Greisler, an American actor who is known for his roles in the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Night at the Museum and 4.Daniel Greisler, a German actor and theatre director who starred in a number of German language films and TV series.
• Aaron Greisler, an American film and television producer who has executive produced films such as Witch Blade and The Road.
• Markus Greisler, a German film and television composer who has worked on films such as Krabat and Am Klavier.
• Bernd Greisler, a German composer, singer-songwriter and music producer who has worked on numerous recordings in the pop and electronic music genres.
• Max Greisler, a German film actor who starred in a number of German language films including The Tin Drum.
• Joost Greisler, a Dutch actor who had roles in Dutch films such as Winter in Wartime and Scandel.
• Sabina Greisler, an American television and film actress who has had roles in shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and films such as The Wackness.

Other surnames

GreislGreisle