Surname Gundler - Meaning and Origin

Gundler: What does the surname Gundler mean?

The last name Gundler is of German origin, meaning "gun maker". Gundler is an established surname in Germany as well as the United States. The Gundler family were reportedly of old Bohemian stock and were expert gun makers and weaponsmiths from Bavaria, Germany. Records indicate that the first Gundler family began forging guns, swords, and armor around 1275.

Gundlers were highly sought after by medieval warlords, knights, and other rulers for their superior craftsmanship in weaponry and armory. Their family name quickly came to define the concept of excellence in indispensable medieval military weaponry, and the family soon became well known throughout Europe for their skill in this field.

During times of peace, Gundlers still played a major role in weapon production, producing pieces that were often used in hunting, farming, and law enforcement. Over the years, the Gundler family's skills as gunsmiths and arms makers were passed on through generations. Today, many Gundlers are still active as gunsmiths, both creating and selling weapons around the world.

Gundler: Where does the name Gundler come from?

The last name Gundler is most commonly found in Germany. It is particularly common in the states of Bavaria and Saxony. In these regions, it is the 78th most frequent surname. It is also found in Austria, the Czech Republic, and small parts of Switzerland.

Outside of Germany and its neighbors, Gundler can be found in parts of the United States and Canada. In the US, it is most prevalent in the Midwestern states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. It is also found in small numbers in California and New York, and a few scattered other states. In Canada, small numbers of people with the Gundler surname can be found mainly in Ontario, though some are also found in other parts of the country.

In general, Gundler is a relatively uncommon last name, though its presence is notable in certain regions where it is especially common. It is a smart practice for anyone doing genealogical research to search not only for ancestors with the Gundler name in their own countries and regions, but also in other countries where the surname may have been brought by emigrants.

Variations of the surname Gundler

The surname Gundler has several spelling variants and surnames of the same origin, including the following:

Gundlar, Gundlach, Gundelach, Guntler, Gallard, Gundeler, Gundelsberger, Gundolf, Gunsler, Güntler, Goenteler, Goentzl, Guentzel, Güntzel, and Güntzler.

Gundler is a German occupational surname, which indicates that the original bearers of this name worked as either merchants or guard personnel. The first recorded mention of this surname derives from 12th century Bavaria, when a man named Gundelach Gundler was documented in the Charters of the Monastery of Neuburg.

The surname Gundler can be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is also common in countries that have large populations of German and Austrian immigrants, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Gundler is an uncommon but widely spread surname. It is possible that variants of the same origin, such as Gundlach, Gundelach, Guntler, and Gallard, also originated from this one name. Further, the same root can have two or more separate origins, such as for the spelling variant Guentzel, which originated from an old German given name Guodeliza or the Czech name Jan.

Famous people with the name Gundler

• Katherina Gundler: an Austrian children’s writer and winner of the prestigious Friedrich-Gundler-Prize in Literature.
• Tina Gundler: a German Paralympic swimmer, who has won multiple gold medals for her country.
• Philip Gundler: a German football player who played for multiple top teams, winning many individual and team trophies.
• Emma Gundler: a German figure skater who competed in the Olympics and achieved many successes at the European level.
• Ted Gundler: an American actor, best known for his roles in the TV shows ‘24’ and ‘Homeland.’
• Fritz Gundler: a Swiss Alpine skier who was the world champion in the downhill and super-G events.
• Ray Gundler: an American lawyer and politician, who was a Senator from Pennsylvania.
• Michael Gundler: a German composer and conductor, who wrote the music for the 1952 film, ‘The White Horse.’
• Wilbur Gundler: an American painter, whose work is featured in some of the top galleries in the country.
• Susanna Gundler: a Swedish acrobat who performed in the 1930s and 40s. She was well known for her daring stunts and death-defying feats.

Other surnames

GundlGündlGundlachGundlackGundlakGundleGundlichGundlingGündling