Surname Geilfuss - Meaning and Origin

Geilfuss: What does the surname Geilfuss mean?

The last name Geilfuss is a German name derived from the Middle High German words 'geil' and 'fuss', which mean 'bold' and 'foot' respectively. It is an occupational surname, which was given to individuals who worked in manufacture of footwear, or had other roles related to feet. The word 'geil' likely referred to the quality or type of footwear made – something that was especially bold or striking.

The Geilfuss surname is associated with some notable individuals in history. In the 1700s, the Geilfuss family was well-established in the area of Uberlingen, Germany, and their name remains associated with the area. During World War I, August Geilfuss was an honorary commander in the German Imperial Navy.

The Geilfuss surname is not widespread or common in the United States. The 2000 U.S. Census found no people with the name Geilfuss living in the United States, so the only way to know if you have a Geilfuss ancestor of German origin is to research your family's history.

The life of the Geilfuss family is a testament to the enterprising nature of those bearing the name, and the integral role they have played in German and American history.

Geilfuss: Where does the name Geilfuss come from?

The last name Geilfuss is most common in the United States, where it ranks 8,558th out of 887,795 surnames. It presents as Germanic in origin and is thought to have come from individual people bearing similar geographical surnames or given names, such as Geil and Fuss. Historically, it has been most prevalent in the northern midwest and eastern states, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In these states, Geilfuss remains a fairly uncommon name.

Recent data suggests the Geilfuss name can be found in greater numbers in Canada, with strong populations in Ontario and British Columbia. Outside of North America, the surname is found mostly in the Netherlands, particularly in the province of North Brabant.

Variations of the name have also been found, such as Gailfus and Gailfuss. In most cases, the variations are simply alternative spellings of the same name, created due to errors in the transcription of names or the general muddling of spelling during migration and immigration.

It should be noted that the decline in use of the last name Geilfuss over the last century is likely due to assimilation and name changes that occurred during immigration to the United States and Canada. The name, however, still persists today and can still be found (albeit in lower numbers) across North America and portions of Europe.

Variations of the surname Geilfuss

The surname Geilfuss has three variants, different spellings and several surnames closely related to this name. Geilfuss is predominantly German and can be found in Germany and throughout Europe, particularly in countries with a strong German influence such as Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. The accepted spelling of the surname is Geilfuss. Variants of this surname include Geilfuß, Geilfüß, and Geilfues.

Geilfuss is derived from a combination of two Old German words, meaning “daring” and “hover” respectively. This combination of words forms the descriptive surname Geilfuss, which literally translates to “one who is courageous and swift.”

Some surnames that are closely related to this name are Gelfuss, Geilfusser, Gielfuß, Gießfuss, Glesius, and Glüfuss. While these surnames might sound similar to Geilfuss, they are actually derived from completely different words and can therefore be considered distinct surnames.

Overall, Geilfuss can be spelled in various ways and have several related surnames. However, all variants of the name are related and have the same origin, which is derived from Old German words meaning “daring” and “hover” respectively.

Famous people with the name Geilfuss

• Mauricio Geilfuss: a professional entomology researcher from Argentina who studies pest species
• Rodney Geilfuss: a former NHL player from Canada who was part of the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and Ottawa Senators
• Charlotte Geilfuss: a French professional dancer and choreographer
• Sepp Geilfuss: a German businessman and entrepreneur in the fields of engineering, finance, banking, and communication
• Arthur Geilfuss: an American actor, who has had roles in several films, including 'Perpetual Motion' and 'The Great Wall'
• Janis Geilfuss: an Olympian rower from the United States
• Karl Geilfuss: a former telecoms executive from Germany, who was involved in the development of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
• Christina Geilfuss: a Swiss soccer player currently playing for FC Zürich in the Swiss Women's Premier League
• Harold Geilfuss: an American technology executive from Wisconsin, who held the position of vice president of customer service at AT&T from 1999 to 2004
• William Geilfuss: a former National Football League player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals

Other surnames

GeilfuhsGeilfus