Geiger History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe surname Geiger is a German occupational surname that evolved in the region known as the Rhineland. Germans at first used only one name, but population growth and increased travel in medieval times caused confusion between people of the same name, forcing the people to adopt hereditary surnames. These names often identified people by the kind of work they did. Geiger is a name for a musician or a person who played the violin. The name Geiger is derived from the Old German word "gigaere," which means "violinist" or "fiddle player." Early Origins of the Geiger familyThe surname Geiger was first found in the Rhine region, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs. Early History of the Geiger familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Geiger research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1775 and 1789 are included under the topic Early Geiger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Geiger Spelling VariationsIn the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Geiger include Geiger, Geige, Geyger, Gieger, Geygher, Geigher and many more. Early Notables of the Geiger familyNotables with the name Geiger during this period were
Geiger RankingIn the United States, the name Geiger is the 1,896th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Geiger is ranked the 4,014th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 2
The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from the Rhineland who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. Many of those who left the Rhineland to seek their fortunes in the prosperous and free New World settled in the major urban centers of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the settlers from the Rhineland passed through immigration centers like that of Ellis Island, most of them moving on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, the majority of Rhinelanders settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many important settlers to North America bearing the name Geiger, or one of its variants above: Geiger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Geiger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Geiger Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
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