Surname Gesell - Meaning and Origin
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Gesell: What does the surname Gesell mean?
The last name Gesell is of German origin and has been found throughout various parts of Germany and Austria. Derived from the word "Geselle," which translates to "journeyman" or "apprentice" in English, Gesell may have begun as an occupational surname given to those in the artisan or tradesman professions. This name may have been given to indicate that the bearer, or their ancestors, were employed as an apprentice in a trade such as carpentry or blacksmithing.
The name Gesell may also have been derived from a habitational name, denoting that the bearer or their ancestors once lived in or near a place called Geselle. It is also possible that the name was originally localized, belonging to just one region or town in Germany.
As is common with Germanic surnames, Gesell is an enduring testament to its Germanic roots and culture; It is an example of how a surname from centuries ago can be traced all the way back to its original meaning and purpose. Those who are of German ancestry or who bear the last name Gesell can take comfort in the fact that their name is steeped in a rich history, and that the name is a permanent connection to their Germanic heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGesell: Where does the name Gesell come from?
The last name Gesell is most generally found in Germany. In the 2006 national census of Germany, Gesell was the 1,440th most common last name. Gesell is derived from a place name, most likely related to the area of Gesell in Schleswig Holstein. The region is connected to a manor house, which was built in 1688 and was destroyed by fire in 1759.
The area soon lost its original identity, though people of the name Gesell were known to be living there until the creation of East Germany in the late 1940s. In the mid-20th century, the region was divided into East and West Germany, and many people of the name Gesell were forced to leave the area and eventually move across the world.
Presently, the name Gesell is less common in Germany. The 2006 national census reported it to be the 21,355th most common German surname. Although it is not a common name in Germany at the moment, it is still somewhat present, especially in Northern Germany.
The name Gesell is also common in the United States. Census data from 2020, places the name as the 12,384th most popular surname in the US, with an estimated 17,500 people bearing the name. It is particularly common in New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
Evidently, the last name Gesell is still common today, though not as commonly found in Germany as it once was. It is spread across Europe and is also particularly popular in the United States due to extensive German migration in the 19th century.
Variations of the surname Gesell
The surname Gesell is derived from the Germanic word ‘gisil’ which meant a pledge or hostage. In former times, Gesell was used as a term for a messenger, or an individual sent with an important task.
The variants of this surname include Gsell, Gsellman, Gsellmann, Gsellmanns, Gsellmans, and Gsells. In some cases, these spellings became anglicized as Gisels, Gisel, Gisele, Giselein, Giseleins, Gisell, Giselle, Gissel and Gissels. Additionally, the surname can be Germanized to variations of Giselman, Giselmann, Giselmans, Giselmans, Giselmens, and Giselmen, and may also be found spelled with other endings such as -meier, -meyer, -mayer, -bauer, -bauers, -hauer, -hauers, -schneider and -schmidt.
In many cases, the surname is now found with double l’s, spelling the name “Gesell” instead of “Gsell” or “Gisel”. Similarly, a derivative or nickname, “Gessels”, is sometimes encountered.
Gesell is a surname with many variants and spellings, reflective of its Germanic origins. It is not uncommon to find persons of this surname spelling their name differently from what appears to be the more original spelling in deeds or other records. Knowing the original spelling and associated variants can be helpful for accurately tracing the family history.
Famous people with the name Gesell
- Alfred Gesell: The American psychologist and specialist in child development
- Carl Henry Gesell: American pediatrician and pioneer in infant development
- Verena Gesell: German anthropologist
- Christian Gesell: German scholar of Islamic and Indian history
- Aharon Gesell: Zionist pioneer who was active during the Zionist immigration to Palestine
- Bruno Gesell: German painter and illustrator
- Lorenz Gesell: German mathematician
- Fabio Gesell: Argentine football goalkeeper
- Claus Gesell: German figurative painter
- Jordan Gesell: Major League Baseball pitcher in the 1920s