Surname Ganßl - Meaning and Origin

Ganßl: What does the surname Ganßl mean?

The last name Ganßl is of German origin, with the suffix -l suggesting a patronymic origin, meaning the name was likely derived from the first name of an ancestor. Although there are several possible origins for the Ganßl surname, the most likely one is derived from the German word “Gans,” which translates as “goose” in English. As many surnames in Germany came from the jobs and roles of ancestors, it is reasonable to infer that the original Ganßl ancestor and his family likely worked as a goose farmers at some point in the past.

The surname spread throughout Germany as family members moved and lived in different areas, so it is possible for a Ganßl to come from any part of the country. Today, Ganßl is most concentrated in Bavaria and also has significant populations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein.

For those with the Ganßl last name, the connection to their ancestry might be a source of pride, as it could suggest that the original ancestor was known for his work in raising and farming geese. Modern day members of the Ganßl family can make the most of their interesting heritage and carry it forward with pride!

Ganßl: Where does the name Ganßl come from?

The last name Ganßl is still found throughout Germany today. It is particularly common in Bavaria, which is located in the south of the country. It is most common in the city of Munich, followed by the surrounding towns of Augsburg and Nuremberg. It is also prevalent in the states of Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse.

Ganßl is an occupational name derived from the German word “ganzl”, meaning “goose”. This name likely refers to a family of goose-raisers or traders. It is possible that some Ganßls emigrated to other countries in Europe and beyond, and there are a few rare instances of the last name outside of Germany.

In addition to the people of German descent that bear the last name Ganßl, the Ganßl coat of arms is also associated with some families of Polish or Czech descent, as well as many Belgian families.

Despite its popularity in Bavaria and other parts of Germany, Ganßl is not one of the most common last names in Germany overall. According to a study from 2019, it ranks as the 1,291st most popular surname in the country.

Variations of the surname Ganßl

Ganßl is a surname with German origins, and is generally spelled the same in most countries. However, it has various spellings and variants that are used in different regions. The most common variants of this name are Gansl, Ganzel, Ganssle, Gansl, Gantsl, and Gantzl.

Gansl is the most common spelling of the name, and has been used in Austria, Bavaria, and most of Germany for centuries. It is derived from the German word gans, which means ‘goose’. Gansl is the variant used in the Czech Republic.

Ganzel may be a shortened form of Gansl, and is sometimes used in Germany and Germany-based countries such as Switzerland and Austria.

Ganssle is the spelling used in the United States and parts of Canada, often by those of German-American heritage. This spelling is derived directly from the German ‘Ganßl’.

Gansl is the most common spelling of the name in Slovakia, and is the equivalent of Gansle in the United States and Gansl in Austria and Bavaria.

Gantsl is a variant of Gansl used in the Czech Republic, and is the equivalent of the German spelling ‘Ganßl’.

Gantzl is another variant of the name commonly found in Switzerland and Austria, where it is often used as a shortened form of Gansl.

Overall, there are many spelling and surname variants of the German-originating surname Gansl, including Gansl, Ganzel, Ganssle, Gansl, Gantsl, and Gantzl.

Famous people with the name Ganßl

• Alina Ganßl: A German violinist, known for her energetic and passionate performances, Alina Ganßl has toured internationally in Europe, the United States, and China, performing in some of the world's most renowned concert halls and performing arts centers.
• Adi Ganßl: A renowned Austrian artist and sculptor, Adi Ganßl has had many of his pieces included in acclaimed exhibitions around the world, including at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
• Reinhard Ganßl: A popular Austrian right-wing politician, Reinhard Ganßl has been a member of the Austrian Parliament since 1999 and a member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 1997.
• Rainer Ganßl: An award-winning Austrian author, Rainer Ganßl is the author of numerous novels and short stories and has been translated into several languages across Europe.
• Hannes Ganßl: A renowned German filmmaker and actor, Hannes Ganßl is well known for his critically-acclaimed independent films and has appeared in both German and English language films.
• Markus Ganßl: A professional German soccer player, Markus Ganßl plays for Österreich in the Bundesliga and has been a part of their team since 2010.
• Jürgen Ganßl: A popular German jazz musician, Jürgen Ganßl has collaborated with some of the most famous musicians in the genre, performing across Europe and the United States in some of the most prestigious jazz festivals.
• Amelie Ganßl: A German actress, singer, and dancer, Amelie Ganßl has starred in a number of German films and musicals and is well known for her charming presence on both stage and screen.

Other surnames

GänßleGänßlenGanßloser