Surname Gessner - Meaning and Origin
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Reimagining Gessner: A Deep Dive into Family History through iGENEA DNA Test
Gessner - a name I always associated with common German ancestry, has now transformed into a symbol of diverse and deep-seated lineage, courtesy of the iGENEA DNA test. Discovering my blood running back to the Celtiberians of the Iberian Peninsula and associated with renowned Swiss scholar Conrad Gessner is a revelation that I cherish and value immensely.
C. Gessner
read moreGessner: What does the surname Gessner mean?
Gessner is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German root "gesen," meaning “goose.” It was initially used to distinguish an individual who tended geese, such as a farmer, shepherd or a poultry seller. Later, the name was used to refer to merchants who bought and sold geese and their feathers. It enjoyed a great deal of popularity in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and spread to other European countries as well.
The first recorded instance of Gessner as a surname was in 1268 in Germany. From there, it spread across Europe, with the name appearing in Switzerland in the Beisensonfeld manor in 1383 and being documented in France in 1493. In the 1500s the name was used in Poland and the Baltic states, and by the 19th century it was present in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Belarus.
Gessner is still a common last name in many parts of the world. According to several sources, it is one of the most popular last names in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In the United States, it has been found in nearly all states (although not in great numbers) since the first Gessner immigrant arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1742.
Today, the Gessner name continues to be associated with its feathery namesake - often leading to nicknames like "Goose" for Gessner family members. Yet, it also stands for those who made a living working with them – people with industry, business sense, and a knack for selling.
Order DNA origin analysisGessner: Where does the name Gessner come from?
The last name Gessner is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a variation of the German surname Gässner which refers to a reed-cutter or sluice-keeper. This name likely originated from the Middle High German word gässe which means "thicket" or "reed bed." Gessner is also seen in other parts of Europe, especially Switzerland and Austria, as well as in the United States.
Gessner is thought to have become quite popular during the 19th century, especially among the German-speaking population of Prussia, which is now divided among many countries in modern-day Central and Eastern Europe. As a result, the surname is now common in countries like Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Moldova, and Ukraine. In the United States, Gessner can be found in various states, particularly in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
In 2020, the name Gessner was the 514th most popular last name in Germany. Data from genealogical research has shown that Gessners are also popular in the United States, where the name is the 10986th most common last name in the country.
Variations of the surname Gessner
Gessner is a surname of German origin. It is originally derived from the name Gessner, which was a nickname for someone who raised geese or was an expert in goose-raising. Variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin include:
Gesner, Gessner, Gässner, Gäisner, Gäsner, Gaessner, Gäßner, Gasser, Geser, Gessnar, Geßner, Goxner, Gosehner, Gossner, Gessenreither, and Goessner.
Gessner can be found in different countries; it is particularly common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United States. In German, the name Gessner is pronounced in the same way as it is written. In most other languages, it is typically pronounced with an emphasis on the first syllable, so it is often written as Gesner or Gessner.
Variations of the name depend on the region from which the origin. For example, in Switzerland, the name is often written as Gässner. This spelling reflects the pronunciation of the name in Swiss German, which is commonly used in many parts of Switzerland.
In Austria, the name is often written as Gäisner. This spelling reflects the pronunciation of the name in Austrian German, which is slightly different from Swiss German. In America, the name can also be spelled as Gaessner or Gäßner. Additionally, the original English-language spelling of Gessner, which has been anglicised over time, is also common in America.
In the United States, Gessner has become one of the most common English-language variants. It is also one of the most common surnames in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other European countries. Other countries that have many people with the surname include Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Gessner
- Heinrich Gessner: Swiss physician, naturalist, and classical scholar of the 15th century
- Dirk Gessner: German actor and musician
- Camille Gessner: 19th century German writer
- Johannes Gessner: Swiss-born German physician and entomologist from the 18th century
- Robert Gessner: Austrian alpine skier
- Christian Gessner: German opera singer
- Heinz Gessner: German football player
- John Gessner: American composer of the 20th century
- Karl Gessner: German archaeologist
- Julius Gessner: German actor from the 19th century
- Louis Eric Gessner: French composer
- Simon Gessner: German-Israeli painter and set designer
- Herbert Gessner: German expressionist painter
- Howard Gessner: American composer of modern dance
- Jean Pierre Gessner: French lawyer and revolutionary from the 18th century
- Johann Gessner: Austrian novelist, poet, and essayist
- Karl F. Gessner: American theologian and pastor from the 19th century
- Leon Gessner: German-American sculptor
- Peter Gessner: German actor and theater director
- Alvin Gessner: American politician and army officer from the 20th century