Surname Geissenhöner - Meaning and Origin
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Geissenhöner: What does the surname Geissenhöner mean?
The last name Geissenhöner originates from German and is believed to have first appeared in the 13th century. The name is derived from the Germanic word “Geissen” which was used to describe a goat herder, or a person who kept goats. The second part of the last name, “höner”, has been suggested to come from the Old German word “honnür”, which is derived from the Latin word “honor”, and was used to describe someone of significant standing or wealth.
The original spelling of the Geissenhöner surname was Geissenhoner and can be found in records of the 14th century. At this time most of the records of the Geissenhöner family are concentrated in southern Germany, primarily in the region of Rheinland-Pfalz. Though the common meaning of the name is still believed to be ‘goat herder’, many of the recorded Geissenhöner families from this time would have been of wealthier standing, for example owning land and other valuable goods.
Since the 14th century the Geissenhöner surname has spread across Europe, in particular to areas such as Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and the Czech Republic. In recent times there are also a few isolated instances of Geissenhöner families who moved abroad from Europe, mainly to the United States and South America.
Today the Geissenhöner name carries with it a sense of history and is a proud representation of the Germanic nature that originated from the early 14th century. Despite any potential changes in origin or spelling over the last 800 years, the Geissenhöner name is still alive and has spread across many countries, tied together by the common parentage of the goat herding and the honor they carried.
Order DNA origin analysisGeissenhöner: Where does the name Geissenhöner come from?
The last name Geissenhöner is most commonly found today in Germany. This surname is likely associated with the region of Swabia, which is located in the southwestern part of the country. A few other countries also have small numbers of people carrying the name, but the majority of the individuals are located in Germany.
The meaning of the name is unclear, but some believe it to be derived from the Old German words for "goat" and "honour," suggesting those who bore the name have traditionally been a respected family.
In modern day Germany, the name Geissenhöner is most often spelled Geißenhöner, with a double "s." According to the German phonebook, there are almost 200 people with this last name currently living in Germany. They are spread throughout much of the country, from the North Sea to the Bavarian Alps.
What is likely even more intriguing is that some members of the Geissenhöner family have moved to other countries, such as the United States, over the past centuries. Reports suggest that William Geissenhöner came to the United States in the late 1800s and the descendants of this family can be traced to both the East Coast and the Midwest.
Therefore, it is likely that the last name Geissenhöner is still fairly common today in Germany and can also be found in a few other countries, as well as the United States. Despite its unclear origin, those who carry the name have traditionally been a respected family, and many of them can still be found living in Germany today.
Variations of the surname Geissenhöner
The surname Geissenhöner is of German origin and is also spelled Geißenhöner or Gissenhöner. Variations of this name include Geisshoner, Gihsenhoner, Geisenhoner, Gaissenhener, Gaissenhoner, Gaessenhoener, and Geißenhoner.
These variations of the Geissenhöner surname are often found in nearby areas of Germany, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the French-speaking region of Alsace. Additionally, this surname is common among the population of Saxony and Bavaria, two of the most prominent states of Germany.
The Geissenhöner surname originated from the German words 'Geiß' meaning 'goat' and 'honer' meaning 'honor'. Thus, the surname is a form of hereditary surname that originated from a business associated with goat breeding or with goat's milk. This surname was used to denote someone who was associated with the breeding or keeping of goats.
Alternatively, the Geissenhöner surname may have religious origins, as 'honer' is a variant of 'Hinnah', the Old High German word for 'humility'. Therefore, individuals with the Geissenhöner surname may have come from a line of Christian goat herders or farmers, who valued humility.
Thus, the Geissenhöner surname is derived from either goat-related business or practices of humility. Variations of this surname are common throughout areas of Germany and nearby countries, and are signs of shared ancestral/religious origins.
Famous people with the name Geissenhöner
- Frank Geissenhöner: German physicist and professor of Applied Physics at Technische Universität Braunschweig.
- Charles Geissenhöner: French scientist and manager of the French military aviation company SAT.
- Traugott Geissenhöner: German accountant and advisor to the Royal Prussian Airship Service.
- Johann Geissenhöner: German painter and sculptor known for his creation of public monuments, including memorials and fountains.
- Rudolf Geissenhöner: Austrian mathematician and physicist who developed a mathematical theory of electricity.
- Heinrich Geissenhöner: German-born financial consultant and businessman who founded the Bank of Berlin.
- Paula Geissenhöner: German organist and composer who championed the works of J.S. Bach and Johann Pachelbel.
- Friedrich Geissenhöner: Prussian explorer, physicist, and architect who was responsible for mapping the interior of Prussia.
- Georg Geissenhöner: Prussian educator, librarian, and historian who wrote a two-volume history of Prussia and its rulers.
- Adolf Geissenhöner: German physicist and inventor who discovered a new form of electric energy transmission.