NomOrigine Background

Last Name Gense

What is the origin of the last name Gense?

The surname "Gense" is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "genz," which means "young" or "youth." This surname was often given to a younger son in a family as an indication that he was not the eldest and therefore not expected to inherit the family estate. The name can also be found spelled as "Gentz," particularly in areas inhabited by German-speaking people, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Northern Italy.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the surname Gense

Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your Surname Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my family history now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gense

The meaning and origin of the last name Gense

The surname Gense is of Germanic origin, derived from the Middle High German word "Gans", which means 'goose'. It is likely that an early ancestor was associated with this bird or may have lived near a place where geese were commonly found. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have been adapted to various regional dialects, resulting in variations such as Gänse, Geis, and Ganske. The surname Gense is relatively uncommon outside of Germany, but can be found among German-speaking communities in other parts of Europe and the world due to historical migrations and diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gense

The surname Gense is predominantly found in Eastern Europe, notably in Estonia and Russia. A significant number of individuals with this last name reside in Estonia, reflecting its roots in this Baltic country. In Russia, it can be found across various regions, but concentrations are noticeable in the Northwestern Federal District, particularly in Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast. Smaller populations of people bearing the Gense surname can also be traced in other parts of Europe, such as Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Outside of Europe, there are communities with this last name in Israel, likely due to historical Jewish migration patterns. The geographical distribution suggests a potential Estonian or Russian origin for the Gense surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gense

The surname Gense has various spellings and forms. Some common spelling variations include: Genze, Genz, Genzé, Gensé, Gänse, Gänźe, Gänsele, Ganz, Gans, Gansel, Gaense, Geanse, Geenze, Geenz, Geenzele, Geenzen, Geenzel, Jeanse, Jeenz, Jeenze, and Jense. These variations may be found in different regions and countries, reflecting changes in spelling conventions over time or differences in local pronunciation. It is important to note that the correct spelling of a surname can often depend on the specific family line and region of origin.

Famous people with the last name Gense

The Gense surname is notably represented by two prominent figures in their respective fields. Yakov Gense (1896-1942), a Russian stage and film actor, was a leading figure of the Moscow Art Theatre, known for his powerful performances in plays such as "The Forest" and "The Three Sisters." Tragically, he was among the victims of Stalinist purges during World War II.

In modern times, Gideon Gense (1958-present), a Canadian neuroscientist, has made significant contributions to the field of Alzheimer's disease research. He is currently a professor at McGill University in Montreal and was awarded the Killam Prize for Health Sciences in 2016. His work on the genetic basis of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases has advanced our understanding and potential treatments of these conditions.

Genealogical research on the last name Gense

The surname Gense is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word "gans," meaning 'goose.' This suggests that an early bearer of this surname may have been associated with this bird, possibly as a metaphor for character traits such as bravery or fidelity. The earliest recorded occurrence of the name in Germany dates back to the late Middle Ages, with examples found in census records from the 14th century. Over time, the name spread throughout German-speaking regions, and some Gense families eventually emigrated to neighboring countries like Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many Gense descendants migrated to North America, particularly the United States and Canada, establishing communities in states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and provinces like Ontario and Manitoba. Today, the Gense surname is found in various countries around the world, with a substantial number of bearers residing in Germany, the United States, and Canada.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 14 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Gen ment (Last name)

surnames > gen-ment

The last name "Genment" does not appear to have a commonly known origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it could be a variant or misspelling of a different surname.

Genady (Last name)

surnames > genady

The surname Genady is of Greek origin, derived from the given name Genadios, which means "nobly born" or "well-born" in Greek. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally...

Genah (Last name)

surnames > genah

The last name Genah does not appear to have a widely recognized origin or meaning. It is possible that it is a variant of a more common surname or has a specific regional or cultur...

Genaid (Last name)

surnames > genaid

The last name "Genaid" has its origin in Romania. It is believed to be a derivative of the given name "Ghenadie", which is of Latin origin and means "kind" or "noble".

Genares (Last name)

surnames > genares

I'm sorry, but I couldn't find any information on the last name "Genares." It is possible that it is a rare or unique surname with limited historical records.

Genchi (Last name)

surnames > genchi

The origin of the surname "Genchi" is most commonly associated with Italy. It is an Italian surname and is primarily found in the southern regions of Italy, such as Sicily and Cala...

Gendrano (Last name)

surnames > gendrano

The last name Gendrano appears to be of Italian origin. It is not a very common surname and it is likely derived from a personal name or place name in Italy. However, without furth...

Gendreau (Last name)

surnames > gendreau

The surname "Gendreau" is a French last name. Its origin can be traced back to the region of France called Brittany (Bretagne), which is located in the northwest part of the countr...

Gendy (Last name)

surnames > gendy

The last name "Gendy" is of Egyptian origin, derived from the Arabic word "jundi" which means "soldier" or "warrior". It is likely that the name was originally a surname given to i...

Gene do (Last name)

surnames > gene-do

The surname "Gene Do" appears to have origins in Vietnam. "Gene" is a common Vietnamese surname, while "Do" is a popular surname in Vietnam as well. Both surnames likely have Vietn...

Genedy (Last name)

surnames > genedy

The last name "genedy" is of uncertain origin and may be of Arabic or Middle Eastern descent. It does not have a clear etymology or history.

Genelhu (Last name)

surnames > genelhu

The last name "Genelhu" has French origins.

Genen (Last name)

surnames > genen

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Generalgames (Last name)

surnames > generalgames

The last name Generalgames is of English origin, deriving from the occupation of a "gamesman" or someone involved in various games or sports.

Generally (Last name)

surnames > generally

The surname "Generally" originates from the Middle English word "generali" which means "belonging to a particular kind or class." It was likely used as a nickname for someone who h...