Surname Gayger - Meaning and Origin
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Gayger: What does the surname Gayger mean?
The surname Gayger is derived from Middle High German words meaning "goose herder." This name likely originated as a occupational surname, adopted by individuals who tended geese and was passed down through successive generations. In some cases, it may also be a euonymic toponym, with the early bearers of the name having lived near a place where geese were kept.
The earliest known record of the Gayger surname dates back to the 12th century in the diocese of Limburg in Germany. In the years that followed, the surname was most commonly found throughout the central and western parts of Germany, particularly within Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse.
In America, the Gayger family is found primarily along the East Coast. The first known Gayger immigrant to the United States was in 1709, when Gerhart Gayger moved to Pennsylvania. By the 19th century, Gayger families migrated further south to areas such as Virginia, South Carolina and Alabama.
The Gayger surname is unique among surnames in that it is ultimately derived from a unique and particular occupational origin. It has served as a symbol of family history and heritage, and today, continues to signify a reverence for a long and distinguished family tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisGayger: Where does the name Gayger come from?
The surname Gayger is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the northern states. It is estimated that about 7,000 individuals in the US have the surname with the vast majority located in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Ohio, the surname is most heavily concentrated in Hocking County; and in Pennsylvania, it is primarily found in Schuylkill County.
This surname originated in Germany, likely in the area now known as Bavaria, where it is still found today. Also, Gayger is consistently found in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. Gayger is also found in some other European countries, mainly in small numbers; but it is notably absent in the United Kingdom.
The roots of this surname are thought to be derived from the Old High German word ‘gager’ meaning ‘bargainer’ or ‘market buyer’, and was originally given to someone who bought or sold goods. Later it was adopted as an occupational surname. Over time, the original spelling of Gager began to vary and was eventually Anglicized to Gayger.
Variations of the surname Gayger
The surname Gayger is a variant of Geiger, Geigher, Gege, Geygey, and Gagey. It is believed that the surname originated in Switzerland and was most commonly used in the south-western part of the country.
Geiger is a German spelling of the surname, and can be found in records dating back to the 13th century. It was also used in Holland and Austria as early as the 1500s. The spelling Geigher is also derived from Geiger, and can be found in records from the same period.
Gagey is another variant of the surname, derived from Gage in Anglo-Norman French. It is a word used to describe someone who collects payments or wages, and is often found in records in England from the 16th century onwards.
Gege is a variation of the surname which can be found in the medieval records of Switzerland and Germany. It was also found in the Netherlands as early as the 17th century. Meanwhile, Geygey is a variation of the surname which is particularly common in Hungary and Romania.
Despite its varied origins, the surname Gayger is mostly used in Switzerland today, but its variants can be found in many parts of Europe, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and the Netherlands. Variations of the name can also be found in other countries across the globe, such as the United States, Canada, Brazil and Australia.
Famous people with the name Gayger
- Rebecca Gayger: American pianist, composer and arranger, and vocal coach
- Beth Levin Gayger: American harpsichordist, organist, and professor
- Jamie Gayger: English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and reviewer
- Ilona Gayger: German opera singer
- John Gayger: American film editor
- Lyman Gayger: American landscape artist
- Charles Gayger: American professor and pioneer in aeroelasticity
- Bart Gayger: American musicographer, writer, and radio producer
- Klein Gayger: French author, director and scriptwriter
- Everett Gayger: American painter and studio potter