Surname Gelfuhs - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gelfuhs: What does the surname Gelfuhs mean?
The last name Gelfuhs is of German origin, derived from the German word "geliefert", which means "delivered" or "supplied". It is believed to have been a reference to someone in an occupation that involved the delivering of goods or supplies, such as a wagon driver, caravan leader, or merchant. In more modern times, the name has often been used as a surname for entrepreneurs, traders, and shopkeepers.
The surname Gelfuhs is also closely associated with the state of Bavaria in Germany, where it is quite common. It is also widely used in other parts of Germany and in countries with German-speaking populations, such as Austria and Switzerland.
The family history of the Gelfuhs family is intertwined with that of Bavaria. The family was first recorded in the 1400s as residing in the strong aristocratic Bavarian families who were instrumental in Bavaria's transition from a mere duchy to a major empire within the Holy Roman Empire.
The Gelfuhs surname is also associated with the family-owned Rhineland wineries owned by Johann Gelfuhs, one of the original settlers of the present-day city of Elteren in northern Germany. The winery is still in operation today, having survived multiple wars, and is now under the ownership of the great-great-grandson of Johann Gelfuhs.
The Gelfuhs family has made its mark in history and continues to be an important part of their ancestral home in Bavaria and beyond. Their remarkable story is one that is both unique and exciting, and the family remains influential in many fields from politics to business.
Order DNA origin analysisGelfuhs: Where does the name Gelfuhs come from?
The last name Gelfuhs is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. It is an uncommon surname in both countries, but records indicate it goes back as far as the 1600s. It is believed to have originated in the Rhineland region in present-day Germany.
The surname may have been derived from the old Germanic word for “wolf” and pre-Christian Germanic or Proto-Indo-European root for “elk.” It is also possible that it comes from the old German word for “fool” or “clown.”
The geographic distribution of the surname today is centered heavily in western and central Germany and Austria, with a few larger clusters in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. It is more widespread in Germany than in Austria.
While not especially common today, the Gelfuhs surname has a long and colorful history. Its likely etymology connects it to two of Europe’s most beloved and iconic animals: the wolf and the elk. It also may have some interesting linguistic and cultural connections to the old Germanic notion of foolery and clowning. In any case, the Gelfuhs name is worth remembering and noting in the modern world.
Variations of the surname Gelfuhs
The surname Gelfuhs is a German surname which has evolved over time, and there are numerous alternative surnames with the same origin.
One variant is Gelfus. This spelling was seen in regions around the border of the Rhineland and Westphalia, where the pronunciation of Gelfuhs was simplified.
Another variant is Gelpke, which is a common spelling in East Prussia. It is believed that the original spelling of the name came from a German word meaning “caring for the poor”.
The spelling Gelpke has also grown and mutated in some areas such as in Westphalia, Holstein and portions of Poland. Here, the spelling has turned into Gelps, Geelfs, Gelfk, Gelfus, and/or Gelfhus.
Other spellings of the same surname include Gelfus, Gelfoß, Gelvus, and Gellfus. These variations are commonly found in former Prussian regions such as on the border of Germany and modern-day Poland.
Moreover, other German mutations of the surname include Gelfus, Gelfuss, Gelfs, Gelfhuss, Gellefus, Gellfuhs, Gelfuhse and Gelfuhe.
Additionally, Gelfuhs has appeared in different spellings in other European countries such as France, the Netherlands and England. In France, it has become Guelfus, Guefos, Guelfus, Gueulfos, Gueulfous, and Guelfois. In the Netherlands, it has been partly Anglisized into Geuffen. In England, it became Gelfs or Gelfus.
Overall, numerous alternative spellings and surnames have appeared in various parts of Europe over the years, however, they all have the same origin in the German surname Gelfuhs.
Famous people with the name Gelfuhs
- Dennis Gelfuso: former professional football player
- Phil Gelfuso: former professional hockey player
- Dave Gelfuso: former professional baseball player
- Tom Gelfuso: former professional basketball player
- Mark Gelfuso: former professional golfer
- Bill Gelfuso: actor
- Gary Gelfuso: author
- Steven Gelfuso: head of the Department of Dentistry at the University of Chicago
- Pat Gelfuso: media executive and owner of the Gelfuso Broadcasting Network
- Kat Gelfuso: singer and actress