Last Name Geisendrees

The surname "Geisendrees" is of German origin. It's derived from a personal name composed of the elements "Geisen," which means goat or fawn, and "Dietrich," meaning ruler of the people. This name was originally given as a nickname to someone who resembled a goat or fawn, or perhaps someone who was strong and agile like these animals. Over time, this personal name became hereditary and passed down from one generation to the next, leading to the formation of the surname "Geisendrees." However, it's important to note that the specific origins of a particular family may vary, and genealogical research is needed for accurate information.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Geisendrees

The meaning and origin of the last name Geisendrees

The surname Geisendrees is of German origin, derived from the personal name Giese or Geise, which was a medieval short form of names containing the element "Gisil," meaning pledge or hostage, and "berht," meaning bright or famous. The "-drees" part of the surname likely indicates that it was originally a locative name, denoting someone from a place named with the element "Dreihaus," meaning "three houses." Over time, the name has been spelled in various ways due to regional variations and changes in spelling conventions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Geisendrees

The surname Geisendrees is primarily found in Germany, with significant concentrations in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, two of the most populous federal states. Additionally, smaller numbers of individuals bearing this last name can be traced in other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands, due to historical migrations and settlement patterns. The name may have originated from the region around Geisendreef, a street in present-day Düsseldorf, Germany, or possibly other places named Geisendreef throughout the country. While the surname Geisendrees is predominantly found in Europe, it has also appeared sporadically in North America due to German immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Geisendrees

The surname Geisendrees has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Here are some possible versions:

1. Geisendree
2. Geisendreeze
3. Geisendreh
4. Geisendritz
5. Geisendreitz
6. Geisendries
7. Geisendriez
8. Geisendriess
9. Geisendrieze
10. Geisendrei
11. Geisendrey
12. Geisendreeßen
13. Geisendreß
14. Geisendrieß
15. Geisendriesen
16. Geisendrießen-Faber
17. Geisendriess-Faber
18. Geisendrey-Faber

These variations may occur due to differences in spelling conventions, regional dialects, and errors in transcription over time.

Famous people with the last name Geisendrees

Prominent individuals with the surname Geisendörfer include:

1. Peter Geisendörfer (born 1943), a German journalist and politician who served as Minister-President of Thuringia from 2009 to 2014.

2. Jochen Geisendörfer (born 1957), a German film director, screenwriter, and actor known for his work in both television and cinema. His most notable films include "Morlock" (1999) and "Das weiße Rauschen" (2013).

3. Matthias Geisendörfer (born 1966), a German theater, film, and opera director. He has been the artistic director of the Staatsschauspiel Dresden since 2008.

4. Michael Geisendörfer (born 1973), a German entrepreneur and computer scientist who co-founded the cloud computing platform OpenStack. He is currently the CEO of alliantist, a company offering solutions for digital transformation.

Genealogical research on the last name Geisendrees

The Geisendrees surname is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German "Geisen" meaning goat and "Dreihaus" or "Drieshaus," referring to a farm with three houses. The name was initially associated with farmers who lived on such a farm. Early records show the name's emergence in Germany during the Late Middle Ages, with notable mentions including Johannes Geisendrie in the city of Lubeck in 1492 and Jacob Geisendreyss in the region of Westphalia in 1530.

Over time, family members migrated from Germany to various parts of Europe and the Americas due to religious persecution and economic opportunities. The name has been documented in the Netherlands, England, and the United States since the 16th century. In the United States, Geisendrees were primarily found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri, where they contributed to agricultural, industrial, and political development.

One notable Geisendrees descendant is Dr. Paul Geisendorf (1870-1946), a German-American ophthalmologist who developed the Geisendorf Lens, an important contribution to cataract surgery. Today, the name remains relatively rare but continues to be found across various countries, reflecting its diverse history and migration patterns over centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Geisendrees"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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