Surname Genselein - Meaning and Origin
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Genselein: What does the surname Genselein mean?
The last name Genselein is a German occupational surname. It was derived from the Middle High German word 'gensele', meaning 'a servant'. This term described someone who worked in a household as a servant or assistant. The suffix '-in' was added to create the surname Genselein.
Today, many people bearing the surname Genselein are of German heritage. However, thanks to migration, the surname can also be found in other countries, such as the United States and Canada.
The Genselein surname is often associated with hard work and humble beginnings. Research reveals that many of the earliest recorded instances of the surname were recorded in the sixteenth century, when individuals bearing the name worked as farmers and servants in various parts of Germany.
Today, several generations later, there are still many individuals who proudly carry the Genselein name. It is a reminder of their ancestors who graced Germany with humble and dedicated service, often far from home.
Order DNA origin analysisGenselein: Where does the name Genselein come from?
The last name Genselein is most commonly found in Germany today. Records show that the name originated in the Rhineland area of Germany. It is a topographical surname derived from the German terms of “gänsel” or “gansel” which translate to “goose” and “ein” meaning “a”. Therefore, the name itself would translate to “a goose”.
This surname is generally found in the southern part of Germany such as the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate, but is also found in some parts of Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States. In terms of its frequency in Germany, the name can be found in the middle of the list of the top 5,000 surnames, which means it is not overly common but not rare either.
In the United States, the Genselein surname is most heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey. The first recorded use of the Genselein surname in the United States was in the state of Pennsylvania in 1790 by Heinrich Genselein who had emigrated from Germany. The name can also be found in some other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Overall, the surname Genselein is now mainly found in Germany and in areas that have received immigrants from this area. It is not considered a rare surname but is far from one of the most common surnames.
Variations of the surname Genselein
The surname Genselein is a German and Dutch patronymic surname and is derived from the given name Gens, which is now thought to derived from Johannes. Historically, the name Genselein is thought to have come from either the Latin form Gens or the Middle High German form Gensal. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Genselein include: Genselein, Genslein, Gensal, Genzel, Gensollen, Gensleinhauer, and Genseler.
Genselein is typically found in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia and is an occupational name, likely meaning ‘general’. Variants of the surname may have originated as a toponymic surname referencing the people of Gens, which was a small city in the Rhineland. Another similar surname to Genselein is Genslee, which may be related and also derived from Gens.
The spelling of Genselein has changed over time, adjusting with the individual dialects of German-speaking countries and regions. Often, the vowel ‘e’ is substituted with an ‘i’, such as in the spelling Genslein, while in some areas the final ‘n’ had been dropped and the ‘l’ is a ‘y’, such as in the surname Gensley. Additionally, Genshauer and Gensehler are variants that likely came from a nicknaming of Genselein, such as ‘the one who has a shirt’ or ‘the one who travels’.
Famous people with the name Genselein
- Marcus Genselein: professional German footballer
- Andreas Genselein: former professional East German athlete
- Ludwig Genselein: German-American philosopher and theologian
- Albrecht Genselein: German poet and editor
- Johannes Genselein: Prussian statesman and politician
- Georg Genselein: former professional rower from East Germany
- Gustav Genselein: 18th century organ builder from Germany
- Anna Genselein: professional dressmaker from Germany
- Paul Genselein: German willow basket maker
- Joseph Genselein: American Civil War veteran
- Hilde Genselein: classical pianist from Germany