Surname Gänsbauer - Meaning and Origin
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Gänsbauer: What does the surname Gänsbauer mean?
The last name Gänsbauer is of German origin and translates to "goose farmer." It is a habitational name, derived from a place where geese were kept or a farmer of the same.
In the case of Gänsbauer, it is likely that it is derived from the Middle High German term “gansbaor”, which literally means “goose farmer”. This term is thought to have originated in central Germany, and spread outward to surrounding regions, though it is possible that it moved away from the original source.
The Gänsbauer surname is closely associated with Germany to this day, though a small number of individuals bearing this name can be found in other parts of Europe.
In medieval Germany, geese were an important farm animal, bred for their meat and feathers, as well as their eggs. The majority of individuals with the Gänsbauer last name would have been farmers, caring for geese and other farm animals. Alternatively, a few may have been only responsible for the keeping of the geese, and not the other animals on the farm.
The Gänsbauer surname is not particularly common, but there are still a fair number of people living today who carry it. Some of the descendants of these original farmers may still be caring for flocks of geese, but most are likely participating in other professions and activities. Additionally, many Gänsbauers have also emigrated to the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisGänsbauer: Where does the name Gänsbauer come from?
The last name Gänsbauer is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the German word "Gans" meaning goose, and "bauer" meaning farmer. The surname Gänsbauer can be dated back to the high Middle Ages when most people identified themselves by one single name.
In Germany today, the surname Gänsbauer is found most prevalently in the Bavaria region, followed by Saxony and Berlin. Of the top ten counties most heavily populated by Gänsbauers, nine of them are in Bavaria and one is in Berlin. In these regions, you will find that the last name is related to people in the farming, agricultural, and rural communities.
In Switzerland, the name is found in the cantons of Zurich, Schaffhausen, Aargau, and Zug. Interestingly enough, the name is most found in the canton of Zurich, where the population of Gänsbauers is more than tripled compared to any other city.
Austria has the least amount of people with the name Gänsbauer; however, it is still present in the upper and lower Austria regions. Most of the Gänsbauers in Austria are found rooted in agricultural and rural communities as well.
Overall, the last name Gänsbauer is strongly rooted in farming and agricultural communities throughout German-speaking countries. Today, the name still remains strong in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in numerous rural areas.
Variations of the surname Gänsbauer
Gänsbauer is a German surname derived from the Middle High German phrase gansevogelbauer, which literally means “goose-farmer”. It is also known as Ganzbauer, Gansböhler, Gansbouer, Gonsbauer, Gansbower, Gansboeler, Gansböller, Gansbühler, Gansbuer, Gansbuhler, Ganszlöer and Ganszloer.
The surname is common in the German states, and is especially widespread in southern and western Germany. It is also present in Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
In the US, the surname is seen in various spellings, including Gansbauer, Ganzbauer, Gansbohler, Gansbower, Gansboeler and Gansbuhler. It is also seen in the UK, where it typically takes the form Gansbauer or Ganszlöer.
The Gänsbauer variation of the surname is also occasionally seen in the English-speaking world, although this is rarer than other spellings. One prominent example is American entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Gansbauer (1917–2002).
In Canada, the surname is sometimes seen in the form Gansbauer, Ganzbauer, Gansbohler or Gansbower. The surname appears to be relatively uncommon, but some notable examples of persons named Gänsbauer include Canadian violinist, conductor, composer and educator Alexander Gansbauer (1850–1937), as well as lithographer Julius Gansbauer, who arrived in Canada in 1922 from what is present-day Slovakia.
Famous people with the name Gänsbauer
- John Gänsbauer: Austrian cultural scholar and expert on Freemasonry
- John Gänsbauer: American baseball pitcher
- Julius Gänsbauer: Austrian Olympic fencer
- Wilhelm Gänsbauer: German classical scholar
- Michael Gänsbauer: Austrian actor
- Wolfgang Gänsbauer: German squash player
- Ulla Gänsbauer: Austrian actress
- Claudia Gänsbauer: Austrian cyclist
- Wolfgang Gänsbauer: Austrian musician and composer
- Roman Gänsbauer: Austrian architect
- Rudolf Gänsbauer: Austrian violist, conductor, and composer
- Erika Gänsbauer: German Alpine skier
- Robert Gänsbauer: Austrian footballer
- Johann Gänsbauer: Austrian sculptor
- Walter Gänsbauer: Austrian alpine skier
- Arthur Gänsbauer: Austrian film director
- Otto Gänsbauer: Austrian artist
- Heinz Gänsbauer: Austrian footballer
- Martin Gänsbauer: Austrian footballer
- Berthold Gänsbauer: Austrian politician