Surname Kirchgessner - Meaning and Origin

Kirchgessner: What does the surname Kirchgessner mean?

The last name Kirchgessner is of German origin and originates from the Middle Ages. It is composed of two German words "Kirche" and "Gesner". "Kirche" means "church" and "Gesner" is an occupation name derived from the Germanic personal name "Gesen", meaning "spearman".

Therefore, a literal translation of the surname Kirchgessner would be "churchman" or "church attendant". As the Middle Ages saw a great expansion in the power and influence of the Catholic Church in many areas of Europe, Kirchgessner likely came to refer to a professional living or working in a church setting—perhaps a priest, monk, sexton, or gravedigger.

The Kirchgessner surname features prominently in records dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries in Germany. It is still the most popular surname in Germany and more than 69,000 people in the country adopted it last year.

Modern-day Kirchgessners will be proud to learn that this surname was once revered for its association with God, religion, and tradition. This is not to mention the strength of character associated with churchmen of the Middle Ages. The Kirchgessner name will continue to bring pride to its many descendants today.

Kirchgessner: Where does the name Kirchgessner come from?

The last name Kirchgessner is most commonly found in Germany. It is thought to have derived from a fairly common German surname, Kirchenschnieder, which means “church tailor”. It is not clear when or how the name was changed from Kirchenschnieder to Kirchgessner, although it is known to date back at least as far as the 16th century.

Today, the last name Kirchgessner is still most commonly found in Germany. According to Ancestry.com, it is particularly prevalent in the South-Central region of Germany, especially the historic states of Bavaria and Wurttemberg. Additionally, records show hundreds of occurrences of the name in the United States of America, largely in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas.

It is likely that the Kirchgessner family originated in Germany and has since spread far and wide throughout the world. The name is a testament to how far the Kirchgessners have come and may represent family lineages that have been in places like Germany, the United States, and elsewhere for centuries.

Variations of the surname Kirchgessner

Kirchgessner is a surname derived from Old German, meaning “church messenger” or “church administrator”. It is derived from the German words Kirche (church) and Gänger (messenger). Variants of the name include Kerchgesner, Kirchgesner, Keregseer, Korniger, and Kurnigus.

Kirchgessner has a few alternate spellings, including Kircgesner, Kirchgasser, Kirch Gasner, Kirchgasser, Kirkgasner, and Kirkgesner. This surname is also found under such surnames as Kirchenbauer, Kirchbauer, Kirchenmaier, and Kirchmaier. Some other variants of the name may include Kirchbaum, Kirchemayer, Kirchheim, Kircher, and Kirchgarner.

Kirchgessner is also a popular surname in parts of the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania. Americans with this surname might have originally come from German immigrants who came to the United States in the late 18th century. Those with this surname might also have ties to Switzerland and Austria, as the surname is also common in those regions.

The surname Kirchgessner is also associated with some notable figures, such as German painter, engraver, and woodcutter Johann Christoph Kirchgessner, his brother Cort Dieric Kirchgessner, the first person to establish a printing press in Hamburg, and Dorthea Kirchgessner, a 19th-century German opera singer.

Famous people with the name Kirchgessner

• Gerhard Kirchgessner: German entrepreneur and the Chairman of the supervisory board of Phoenix Contact.
• Franco Kirchgessner- Italian Argentine actor, comedian and filmmaker.
• Jean-Paul Kirchgessner: French founder of the experimental film collective Celluloid Dreams.
• Bruno Eduardo Kirchgessner: Brazilian lawyer and professor of Law at the University of Brasília.
• Margo Kirchgessner: American based artist who works with mixed media to create works that address themes of identity and memory.
• Peter Kirchgessner: German software engineer and developer who has worked in many areas of software development.
• Marie Kirchgessner: French journalist and editor who specializes in financial journalism.
• Sandro Kirchgessner: Italian entrepreneur and co-founder of the visual production company CHEK Creative.
• Miguel Kirchgessner: Chilean musician, songwriter, producer and engineer.
• Wilf Kirchgessner: British artist and filmmaker whose works explore memory, nostalgia and identity.
• Patrick Kirchgessner: Swiss businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded the Swiss IT company Jonatech Digital SA.
• Hermann Kirchgessner: Austrian lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Justice and Finance of the Austrian Republic from 1932 to 1933.

Other surnames

KirchgesserKirchgessler