Surname Gelfuß - Meaning and Origin

Gelfuß: What does the surname Gelfuß mean?

The surname Gelfuß is of German origin and likely derived from the German word “gelbfusz” which means curious or inquisitive. It is likely a nickname for someone who was very inquisitive and nosy.

The surname is likely quite old, as it is found in records dating back to 14th century Germany. It is still found in Germany today and is also present in the United States.

In addition to Germany, the surname is also recorded in Austria, Poland, Russia, Hungary, and scattered other locations across Europe. This likely indicates that it has been passed on from family to family as families moved around in search of better opportunities.

Lastname dictionaries suggest that the coat-of-arms of the house of Gelfuß is a white shield, with thirteen red "spindle tree" forms, on a blue striped background. This is an interesting choice of symbols, as it reflects the family’s history of being inquisitive and curious.

The last name Gelfuß is a perfect example of the rich history of surname development in Europe, and has been passed down for hundreds of years. Today, Gelfuß is still a common surname across Europe, reminding us of the inquisitive spirit of the people who carried it.

Gelfuß: Where does the name Gelfuß come from?

The surname Gelfuß is common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also seen in some other countries throughout Europe, such as Finland, Belgium, and Poland. The surname is derived from the Middle High German term “gellen (=gelb) + fuss (=foot),” which translates to “yellow foot.” It is thought to have originally been a nickname that was used to describe someone who was particularly strong or whose feet were unusually large.

In Germany, the popularity of the surname has declined over the past several decades, but it still had an estimated 1,869 individuals with the surname in 2020. The surname is more popular in Austria, where it had an estimated 5,751 individuals in 2020. In Switzerland, Gelfuß is the 347th most common surname, accounting for around 0.009% of the population. The name is also seen in Spain, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic with a small number of individuals bearing the surname in each country.

The surname Gelfuß is also seen in the United States and Canada among German-American and German-Canadian populations. In the United States, the latest Census Bureau figures from 2020 showed that there were 190 individuals bearing the surname Gelfuß, concentrated mainly in the Midwest and Northeastern states.

Overall, the surname Gelfuß is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but it is still found in other areas, including the United States and Canada, and other European countries.

Variations of the surname Gelfuß

The surname Gelfuß is a variant spelling of the Germanic surname Gelfuss. Variants of the surname include Gelff, Gelss, Geffuss, Geffus, Geffuss, Geffes, Gelf, Gelfes, Gelffes, Gelffs, Gelfuss, Gelffus, and Gelfs.

Gelfuß is a habitational surname, derived from several place names around the former German state of Prussia. It is believed to have been founded by local priories and may have been borne by ancient Prussian nobility.

The variants indicate that the surname has been around for many centuries and is an example of patronymic naming where the name changed over time as it was passed down from father to son. The further back in time the spelling changed as people from different dialect regions began to move around and mix with other groups.

Variations of the surname can be found in other countries. In the United States and Canada for example, it can be seen as Geffus, Geffuss, Geffes, Gelfs, Gelfuss and Gelfus. In England, variants of the surname are now seen as Gelf, Gelff, Gelffes, Gelffs, and Gelfes. The name has also spread to other European countries such as Sweden, where variants of the surname are now seen as Geffus, Gelff, and Gelffus.

The variants of Gelfuß indicate a long history. It is also an example of how surnames can change over time in different locations and languages. It is a widespread spelling and is found in many different countries.

Famous people with the name Gelfuß

• Richard Gelfuß, German actor
• Otto Gelfuß, German resistance fighter
• Christopher Gelfuß, German actor
• Werner Gelfuß, Austrian screenwriter
• Franz Gelfuß, German theater manager
• Josef Gelfuß, German equestrian
• Paul Gelfuß, German doctor
• Erika Gelfuß, German sprinter
• Marko Gelfuß, German opera singer
• Wolfgang Gelfuß, German footballer

Other surnames

Gelfuhs