Surname Geldzahler - Meaning and Origin

Geldzahler: What does the surname Geldzahler mean?

The last name Geldzahler is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, which originated in Germany and Eastern Europe during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the German phrase "Geldsähler," which means "moneykeeper." This suggests that individuals with this surname may have been responsible for handling or managing the funds of others, perhaps within a financial institution or even as their own accountants.

The Geldzahler surname has since gained popularity among Jewish families, and is often associated with Jewish ancestry from Eastern Europe. The name is sometimes altered according to the language of the region in which it is found. For example, in Yiddish, it is pronounced as “Geltsaveller”.

In more modern times, the Geldzahler surname has become widely used in both the United States and Israel. It is most popular in the latter, and is often associated with the Ashkenazim. In this regard, it is a part of the culture, history and ancestry of Jews living in Israel.

In summary, the last name Geldzahler is an Ashkenazi Jewish name, most popular in Israel, deriving from the German word Geldsähler, which means "moneykeeper." This suggests that individuals with this surname likely have a history of managing or handling the funds of others.

Geldzahler: Where does the name Geldzahler come from?

The last name Geldzahler is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast regions. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish name derived from the German word “geld”, meaning money, and “zahler,” meaning payer.

In the United States, the Geldzahler surname is found primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, and California. It is also not uncommon to find the name in Canada, specifically in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.

The Geldzahler name is thought to have originated in Germany many generations ago, but has since spread throughout the world. The surname is generally thought to have been given to mean “person of means,” as it was a common name for the wealthier members of Jewish families of German origin.

The name was also spread across the Old World by famed art historian Henry Geldzahler, who is prominently mentioned in some texts on the history of 20th century American art. Therefore, the name Geldzahler is still remembered today in many circles of art collectors and art lovers, as well as in the many individuals in the United States and Canada who proudly bear the name.

Variations of the surname Geldzahler

The surname Geldzahler is a German name derived from the Middle High German ‘Geldsahler’, which means ‘money treasurer’. This name was given to those who were responsible for keeping track of and collecting taxes or payments. The variants of this surname include Geldschähle, Geldschäler, Geldsähler, Geldzhähler, Geldtahler, Geldtahler, and Geldtahler.

The most common spellings of this surname are Geldzahler and Geldsähler. Other variants associated with the same pronunciation include Geldschähle, Geldschäler, Geldzhähler, and Geldtahler.

Similar surnames of the same origin include Geldsetzer, Geldretter, Geldnehmer, Geldhändler, Geldverwerter, Geldmacher, Geldwechsler, and Geldbereiter. These surnames share the same meaning of those responsible for compiling and collecting taxes or payments.

Geldzahler is an uncommon surname in the United States, however, there are over 500 people with this name in Germany. In countries where Anglicized versions of the surname exist, various spellings can be encountered, including Goeldzlaehler, Geltzahler, Goldzahler, Galdehler, Gaudehlaer, and Gieldehler.

Famous people with the name Geldzahler

• Henry Geldzahler: American art critic, curator, and writer of Dutch-Jewish descent. Geldzahler was the first Curator of 20th-Century Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City.
• Adam Geldzahler: American artist, art historian, and curator who worked primarily with the medium of photography.
• William Geldzahler: American painter and sculptor of Russian-Jewish descent. He also acted as a writer, art critic, and curator.
• Stephen Geldzahler: American businessman, producer, and theater executive. He was the founder of the New Playwrights Theatre of Washington, DC.
• Harold Geldzahler: American visual artist whose work ranged from painting and sculpture to drawing and photography.
• Carl Geldzahler: Austrian-born American banker and investor.
• Carl Michael Geldzahler: Austrian-born American businessman and businessman's lawyer.
• Rob Geldzahler: American folk singer and songwriter.
• Sarah Geldzahler: American painter and printmaker.
• Marty Geldzahler: American photographer and collector of Polaroid photography.

Other surnames

Geldzahl