Surname Geißenhöhner - Meaning and Origin
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Geißenhöhner: What does the surname Geißenhöhner mean?
Geißenhöhner is a German surname with origins in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. It is a topographical name, derived from the German words "Geißen" (goats) and "Höhne" (hill, slope). The name is believed to have been given to people who lived, worked or owned land near or on a hill that was used to graze goats.
The oldest recorded recorded Geißenhöhner was found in 1543 in the small town of Dielheim, which is close to Heidelberg in the Rhineland-Palatinate area. The name seems to have been popular in the Rhineland-Palatinate area until the late 1800s when some of the Geißenhöhners moved to nearby states such as Bavaria and Wurttemberg.
The meaning of the name implies a person's connection to goats and hills. In German culture, goats were associated with independence and self-reliance, as well as wealth and productivity. Thus, the bearer of this name was likely to have held a certain level of esteem within their community.
In modern times, the Geißenhöhner name still appears to be quite rare, as fewer than 50 individuals in Germany today bear the name. Geißenhöhner is a surname that stands for a rich history of independence, productivity, and wealth. It stands as a reminder of the importance of animals to the livelihood of the rural communities of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisGeißenhöhner: Where does the name Geißenhöhner come from?
The Geißenhöhner last name is most commonly found in areas of central and southern Germany. It is also found in several counties in parts of the United States like Pennsylvania, including Berks County and Lebanon County. Geißenhöhner is an uncommon name in the United States, but there are some areas that have a higher concentration of the surname than others.
The majority of Geißenhöhners may have traces that originate from the area of Hesse, located in west central Germany. Geissenhoehner is also found in some small towns in Bavaria and Thuringia, which are two of the more populous states of Germany. Moreover, the regions of Württemberg and Baden-Württemberg are also notable for having a moderate number of Geissenhoehners.
Today, the name is still seen regularly in rural Germany, with it’s most popular origin being in Bavaria, although it is seen in some areas of both Poland and Austria as well. Many individuals with the name may even currently live in the same area as where their ancestors originated centuries ago.
In the United States, many Geißenhöhners have settled in small farming communities and are now considered the “norm” in those places. The name is not uncommon to hear in the Midwest and other parts of the country where traditional German culture still persists.
Variations of the surname Geißenhöhner
The origin of the surname Geißenhöhner is an unusual one. Its root lies in the German language, specifically in the combination of two words: "Geiß" and "Höhner". Geiß is an old German word meaning "goat" and Höhner is a contraction of the word "Höhnerhaus", meaning "chicken house". Together, the two words form the surname Geißenhöhner.
The surname Geißenhöhner is found today in various alternate spellings and variations, but all are considered to be of the same origin. The most common variants include Geisenhoner, Geißenhöner, Geisenhoner, and Gießenhöhner.
It is also found in variant surnames, all of which stem from the same root. These include Geisenhöner-Kubler, Geisenhöner-Pfaff, Geisenhoner-Breier, and Geissenhöner-Herzberg.
The surname Geißenhöhner can also be found in other countries, particularly those with large German populations. Variants of the surname can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the United States. Variants in these areas include Geisenhonor, Geisenhoner, Gessenhoner, and Gissejehöner.
All of these surnames, regardless of the spelling, are related to the same original source, the combination of the German words "Geiß" and "Höhnerhaus". Together the two create the unique and distinct surname that is found throughout the world today.
Famous people with the name Geißenhöhner
- Karl Geißenhöhner (b. 1908), German zoologist and entomologist.
- Georg Geißenhöhner (1835–1891), Prussian lawyer and politician.
- Johann Jakob Geißenhöhner (1733–1805), German painter and graphic artist.
- Fanny Geißenhöhner (née Perlier, 1802–1887), German author and poet.
- Andreas-Friedrich Geißenhöhner (1786–1859), Prussian proselyte and historian
- Elizabeth Geißenhöhner (1728–1809), German writer and grain market analysis expert.
- Christian-Friedrich Geißenhöhner (1728–1804), German military writer and field artillery major.
- Ruth Geißenhöhner (b. 1944), German gymnastics coach and Olympic medallist.
- Mechthild Geißenhöhner (b. 1935), German artist, painter and writer.
- Karola Geißenhöhner (1910–1986), German sculptor and watercolourist.
- Hubert Geißenhöhner (b. 1972), German computer scientist and IT security expert.
- Ulrike Geißenhöhner (b. 1960), German TV presenter and radio personality.
- Georg August Geißenhöhner (1758–1825), German organ builder and music theorist.
- Wilhelm Geißenhöhner (1781–1851), German amateur entomologist and collector.