Surname Giessler - Meaning and Origin
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Giessler: What does the surname Giessler mean?
The last name Giessler is a German surname, and is derived from the Latin word "Gisel", meaning pledge. The Giessler family can trace their roots back to Bavaria, a region in Southern Germany. It is believed the name is derived from an ancestor who was a minor nobleman, and thus it was likely given as a title, reflecting a certain level of service.
Gisel is an old German name, and was the name of the leader of a district or canton in the time of Charlemagne, while Giessler was a freehold or tenant in the Middle Ages. During this period, feudalism was still in practice in many parts of Europe, with noble families controlling vast amounts of land and ruling over their tenants and serfs.
Today, the Giessler family name is found throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Australia, and beyond. Those who descended from the original Giessor families in Bavaria and surrounding areas can be counted among the German nobility, bearing the coat of arms of the ancient Giessor family. Those of the Giessler name are generally seen to be of an intellectual, sophisticated, and quite dignified bearing. Many of those who bear the Giessler name continue to live in Germany, where they are proud of their noble heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGiessler: Where does the name Giessler come from?
The last name Giessler is of German origin, and is quite rare in the United States. However, it is still relatively common in Germany, where it has been found since at least the Middle Ages. It is also known to be common in Austria, Switzerland and other regions with a German-speaking population.
Within Germany itself, the name Giessler is concentrated in Bavaria, Hesse, and the Rhineland-Palatinate where it was most likely born. It is also commonly found in the central and southern parts of the country. It is relatively rare in the northern districts.
The name Giessler is still relatively common in Europe, with high concentrations in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, respectively. The highest density of Giesslers is found in the United Kingdom, especially in England, as well as in Ireland and Scotland.
Though it is relatively rare in the United States, Canadian records indicate that the name Giessler is found mostly in the provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Due to historical reasons, Giessler is rarely found in Eastern Europe, mainly in Poland, and to a lesser extent in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
In Australia, Giessler is found mostly in New South Wales and Victoria, with small numbers in other states. Throughout the rest of the world, the name Giessler is relatively rare, although a few have been found in places like Japan and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Giessler
The Giessler surname is of German-Austrian origin, derived from either the given name Giselher or from the personal name Giselbert, which means “pledge-bright”. Variants of the name include Giesler, Gisler, Gießler, Gießl, Gieslich, Gisl, Gießlhofer, Gießlbauer, Gießlinegger, Giessing, and Gießlein.
The spelling of the name in Austrian was traditionally Gießler. The German spelling is Giesler and the spelling in Swiss is Gisler. In the U.S., the names appeared as Gysler, Gieser, and Gießer.
Surnames of similar origin include Gish, Gies, Gishler, Gys, Gysler, Gieser, Gisslinger, Gysl, Giesl, Gisl, Gießlbauer, Gieslhofer, Gießlein and Gissler.
In many cases, the spelling may have been changed when people emigrated to the U.S.A. as they attempted to adjust to the English alphabet. So some researchers have seen the name listed as Geisler, Giseler, Giser, Gissler, Gessler, and even Gesler in the U.S.
Giessler is most common in the German region of Bavaria, particularly in the capital city of Munich and in the city of Augsburg.
The surname is truly a global one, with Giesslers living in countries throughout Europe and as far away as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Giessler
- Jens Giesler, German journalist and author
- Eric Giesler, American singer-songwriter
- John Giesler, American actor
- Oscar Giesler, German violinist and composer
- Mark Giesler, American former Major League Baseball player
- Charley Giesler, American Olympic swimmer
- Claus Giesler, German alpine skier and two-time Olympic bronze medal winner
- Paul Giesler, German rower and three-time Olympic bronze medal winner
- Josef Giesler, German Nazi general
- Hans Giesler, German photographer
- Joseph Giesler, German priest and peace activist
- Alice Giesler, American Social Security Administration testee
- Kurt Giesler, German artist
- Harold Giesler, American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
- Josefine Giesler, German former professional ice hockey player
- Friedrich Giesler, German architect
- Eva Giesler, German former swimmer
- Kurt Giesler, Swiss former football player
- Frieda Giesler, German actress
- Manfred Giesler, German former swimmer