Surname Gänser - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gänser: What does the surname Gänser mean?
The surname Gänser is of German origin and was derived from the Middle High German ‘ganser’, which means ‘goose’. It served as an occupational surname for those who were responsible for the rearing of geese for their feathers, eggs and meat.
Those with the Gänser surname may be traced back to before the 17th century, mainly in the western region of Germany, where the surname has become common. Records of the name can still be found in this region today.
There are several spellings for this particular surname that surfaced during the course of its evolution. Various spellings of the Gänser surname include Gänsar, Gänser, Gänsner, Gänsser, Gänsner, and Gänzar.
The Gänser surname proved to be a valuable asset to these families as they were able to make a living. Yet, the name was also a common one during the period of WWII, as countless Germans lost their lives.
Throughout the course of history, the name Gänser has been preserved in this modern age. Today, it is usually encountered in Germany, but those with the Gänser surname can now be found in many other areas throughout the world, including North and South America, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisGänser: Where does the name Gänser come from?
The surname Gänser is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is believed to be a toponymic surname, meaning that it is derived from a place name. It is thought to originate from the German word gäns meaning ‘goose’, with the added ‘er’ implying someone from a place or region near a pond or lake with many geese.
Although this surname is found heavily in Germany and Austria, it is also seen occasionally in other parts of Western Europe such as Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland. According to genealogical records, the Gänser surname first appeared in the Rhineland Palatinate region of Germany in around the middle of the 13th century. This area is now mostly a part of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
It is believed that the Gänser surname later spread to Austria during the 18th century when many families chose to move eastward across Europe in search of work and other opportunities. Today, this surname is typically found among ethnic Germans in both Austria and Germany.
In recent years, it has become more common for individuals with the Gänser surname to move around the world in search of a better life. With globalization, this surname can now be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In countries with a strong concentration of Germanic cultures, it is likely that this surname can also be found in other areas, such as Australia and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Gänser
The surname Gänser is a German name derived from the Middle High German word ganser, meaning gander. The different spellings and variants of the surname include Ganser, Gänsar, Gansar, Gaenser, Gänsler, Gänsler, Gäntzer, Gänther, and Gäntzler.
In the United States, people who changed the spelling of the name in the late 1800's often used Gantzer or Gaenser.
In Austria, variants of the Gänser name include Ganser, Gaenser, Gänsar, Gansar, and Gäntzer. Gänsler is another variant that is more common in Austria.
In Germany, the name Ganser has also been used and is Johnson-Verlag dictionary of German surnames. Other variant spellings of the name in Germany include Gansert, Gansar, Gänsar, Gänsler, Gänsler, Gäntzler, and Gäntzer.
In Switzerland, the surname Gänsler is common and is used interchangeably with Gänser. Gäntzer and Gäntzler are also variants of the name in Switzerland.
In Hungary, the name Gäntzler is the most common variant, although some of the other variants listed above can still be found.
Regardless of the spelling, all variations of the name are considered to be of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Gänser
- Maria Gänser: Professional autocross driver.
- Carola Gänser: Austrian costume designer, art director, and animator.
- Fritz Gänser: Austrian-South African musician best known for his work with his band Die Gänser.
- Maria von Gänser: Austrian operatic stage actress active in the 1930s.
- Walter Gänser: Austrian architect active in the 1930s and 40s.
- Stefan Gänser: Austrian opera conductor who founded the Gänser Orchester of Vienna in 1909.
- Gustav Gänser: Austrian landscape painter active in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
- Erich Gänser: Austrian painter known for his portraits and still lifes.
- Ferdinand Gänser: Austrian high-altitude photographer and aerial photographer active in the early 20th century.
- Kurt Gänser: Austrian sportsman active in wrestling, figure skating, and boxing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.