Surname Giesel - Meaning and Origin
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Giesel: What does the surname Giesel mean?
The last name Giesel is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "geisel," which means "pledge." It is believed to have first appeared during the Medieval era when it was used as a name for a person who received goods or services as a pledge or guarantee of repayment.
The name Giesel could also stem from the occupation of the same name; a "Geisel" was a profession in the Middle Ages in Central Europe whereby an individual accepted litigation cases and acted to detain persons, goods, and animals to secure a debt or some form of reparation for a wrong against oneself or another. In this sense, the name was a reminder of the fact that there were laws that needed to be respected and that justice prevailed.
Giesel may have also been a Jewish nickname for "Geselle," which means guest or traveler. This would be a reference to the origin of Jewish people, who often referred to themselves as wandering visitors and strangers in the land.
In modern times, Giesel continues to be a popular surname in the German-speaking countries. It is used primarily according to its original meaning, to refer to a person who is trustworthy and reliable, honouring agreements and respecting the boundaries of the law. Its reputation is still reflected today as a name for someone who is reliable and honourable; a custodian of justice and security.
Order DNA origin analysisGiesel: Where does the name Giesel come from?
The last name Giesel is most common in western Germany, particularly in the Rhineland region. It is also common in the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.
Giesel is an occupational surname, derived from the German word giesel, which means warehouseman. This likely refers to someone who worked in either a private or a public warehouse, where goods were stored after being delivered. People surnamed Giesel likely lived in or near cities or large towns, which would have been common trading and storage hubs throughout the Middle Ages.
In Germany, Giesel is one of the top 200 surnames, and over 78,000 people bear the name in Germany today. In the Netherlands, Giesel is amongst the top 1,000 surnames; over 3,000 people bear the name there. In Switzerland, Giesel is also amongst the top 1,000 surnames, and over 1,000 individuals currently have the name. And in Austria, Giesel is amongst the top 700 surnames, with more than 2,300 people bearing the last name.
Overall, the last name Giesel is most common in western parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Giesel
The surname Giesel is derived from a western German and Dutch language origin. Its variants include Geisel, Gesell, Giezle, Giezl, Geisil, and Gieseler. Geisel and Gieseler are the most frequently used variants.
Geisel is the most common spelling, and is found in most of western Germany and in the Netherlands. The origin of this spelling is the Middle High German word “gisele”, which translates to a weaver's shuttle. It was also the name of a kind of falcon.
Gesell is a dialectal variant mainly found in Bavaria. It comes from the verb “gesellen,” which means “to make holey.” It was most likely a nickname for someone who worked with fabric, using a hole puncher for leather crafting.
Giezle is the Hollands spelling of the name, found mainly in the northern regions of Holland and Germany. Its origin is similar to the German Geisel, and it also means “weaver’s shuttle.”
Giezl is a variant of Giezle, found in western Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. It is a nickname for someone who used a shuttle to make fabrics.
Geisil is a variant of Geisel, mainly found in Baden-Württemberg and the Palatinate in Germany. It is likely derived from the German word “gisele,” and it was probably a nickname for a weaver.
Gieseler is the surname variant, and it is commonly found in eastern Germany, particularly in Thuringia and Saxony. This spelling is derived from Medieval German “giseler,” which means “shuttle maker.” The spelling has also been found to be an occupational surname in the Netherlands.
Famous people with the name Giesel
- Jeff Giesel: American ballet dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher
- George Giesel: American portrait painter
- Georg Gieselmann: German physicist
- Robert Giesel: German dermatologist
- Karl Giesel: German philosopher
- Fredericus Gieseler: German theologian
- Johann Giesel: German poet
- Johannes Giesel: German architect
- Johann Friedrich Giesel: German mechanical engineer
- Carl August Giesel: German banker and industrialist
- Friedrich Giesel: German author
- Tony Giesel: American long-distance runner
- Heinrich Giesel: German composer
- Manfred Giesel: German athlete
- Hans Giesel: German illustrator
- Paul Giesel: German poet
- Wilhelm Giesel: German pharmacist
- Heinz Giesel: German author and chess author
- Manfred Gieseler: German sculptor and painter
- Valentin Giesel: German painter and sculptor