Surname Geige - Meaning and Origin
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Geige: What does the surname Geige mean?
The last name Geige is derived from the German word "Geige," which means "fiddle." Historically, this name comes from someone who played the fiddle as a profession or a hobby. In the Middle Ages, traveling fiddlers played at taverns and festivals across Europe where they were seen as a source of entertainment. The surname Geige is not considered common and is mainly found in Germany and Switzerland.
The origin of the name could indicate that an ancestor of the family was a musician, and was known as someone who played the fiddle. It is also possible that the name was passed down because a family member ran a music shop and sold instruments such as the fiddle.
Throughout time, the name Geige has come to symbolize joy and musicality, with an air of adventure and fun associated with the surname. People with the surname may be seen as having an outgoing and gregarious personality. This is usually paired with a creative spirit and intense appreciation of the arts. Geige is a unique and interesting name, and has inspired many people in their own musicianship and appreciation of music.
Order DNA origin analysisGeige: Where does the name Geige come from?
The last name Geige is a surname which originates in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In these countries, the Geige name is still relatively common today, particularly in larger cities. In Germany, the Geige surname ranks about 400th in popularity, with over 20,000 people carrying the name. In Austria, it ranks even higher at around 250th in popularity and is carried by around 8,000 people. The Geige surname is also common in other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg, and can be found in smaller numbers in other European countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, and France.
Outside of Germany and other German-speaking countries, the Geige surname can also be found in some parts of the United States, where it is thought to have been brought over by immigrants in the mid-1800s. In the United States, it is estimated that there are approximately 10,000 people currently carrying the Geige name, with the highest concentrations found in New York, California, and Pennsylvania.
Overall, the last name Geige is still quite common throughout the German-speaking countries of Europe, as well as many areas of the United States. The name is also still quite recognizable in other parts of the world, and research suggests that it dates far back into European history.
Variations of the surname Geige
The surname Geige has long been used by families originating from multiple countries, with variations in spelling, and multiple surnames associated with it.
Geige is a German surname derived from the Middle High German ‘Giǎge’ which means ‘fiddle’. In German, the surname has many variants including Gieger, Giege, Geiger, Geigers, and Geige. In Switzerland, the surname can be spelled Geije or Geyje. Other Latinized forms of the surname include Geigerius, Gagerius, Gegenbauer, and Giegerich.
In the United States, the surname has often been anglicized or changed to different spellings, depending on the family’s ancestry. These variants include but are not limited to Gieger, Gager, Giger, Gigers, Geiger, Geigers, Geyger, Geygers, Gejger, Guiger, and Guigers.
In Israel, the surname is spelled ‘Gaadi’ and is derived from the German, ‘Gieger’. ‘Gaadi’ is a popular surname for those of Jewish descent who arrived from Germany in the early 19th century.
Other surnames stemming from the same root include Hausgeiger in Germany, Geyme in France, and Cech in the Czech Republic.
Overall, the surname Geige has been used by many families over the centuries, with variations in spelling depending on the country and family’s heritage. The many variations, spellings, and associated surnames provide a fascinating glimpse into the surname’s storied history.
Famous people with the name Geige
- Stefano Gagliardi: World renowned Italian concert violinist and master violin maker.
- Giora Feidman: Grammy Award-winning Argentinian-born Israeli clarinetist and klezmer musician.
- Gaston Pouret: French jazz violinist and composer known as the 'Father of French Jazz'.
- Sasha Geige: German-born American cellist, viola da gambist, and singer who performs and records with the baroque rock band Andrews & Practices.
- Lenny Geiger: Austrian-born American jazz trumpeter and composer.
- Philippa Geigge: Violinist from New Zealand who has performed with multiple symphonies as well as with chamber ensembles.
- Reinhold Geiger: German classical violinist, composer and conductor.
- Walter Geiger: German composer known for his works for chamber orchestra and chamber choirs.
- Martin Geiger: Russian-born American violinist and organist.
- Willy Geiger: Austrian cellist and composer who wrote over 50 works for cello, including concertos, sonatas, and symphonic works.