Show ContentsGasser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the distinguished German surname Gasser lie in the region of Bavaria. The name is derived from the German word "Gasse," meaning "street, alley," and denotes someone who lives either on the main road of the village or in an alley.

Early Origins of the Gasser family

The surname Gasser was first found in Bavaria, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Arnold in der gassen, who was a citizen of Ober-Alpfen in 1266.

Early History of the Gasser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gasser research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1516, 1565, 1569, 1623, 1691, 1730, 1761, 1788, 1825, 1838 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Gasser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gasser Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gasser, Gassier, Gässler, Gassner, Gassur, Gaster, Gesser, Gesner, Gauser, Gausser, Casser, Kasser, Kausser, Kauser, Gassaway, Gasse, Gass, Gess, Gässer, Gässner and many more.

Early Notables of the Gasser family

More information is included under the topic Early Gasser Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gasser Ranking

In the United States, the name Gasser is the 13,518th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Gasser is ranked the 2,162nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,949 people with that name. 2


United States Gasser migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gasser Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Marke Gasser, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 3
Gasser Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hans Antoni Gasser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 3
  • Hants Adam Gasser, aged 32, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 3
  • Alexander Gasser, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 3
  • Peter Gasser and his wife Magdalena Springer, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1738 with their four children
  • Peter Gasser, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gasser Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Benedict Gasser, who landed in New York in 1844 3
  • Marcus Gasser, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1844 3
  • Michel Gasser, aged 26, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 3
  • Urs Gasser, who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1859 3
  • Frederick Gasser, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1873 3

Canada Gasser migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gasser Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Franziskus Gasser, a Hessian mercenary who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia after fighting in the American Revolution

Contemporary Notables of the name Gasser (post 1700) +

  • Major-General Lorenzo Dow Gasser (1876-1955), American Acting Deputy Chief of Staff US Army (1939-1940) 4
  • Hans Wilhelm Gasser (b. 1904), German doctor
  • Flora Gasser (1932-2022), Filipino veteran film and television actress
  • Herbert S Gasser (1888-1963), American physiologist, recipient of the 1944 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
  • Sandra Gasser (b. 1962), retired Swiss track and field World Championship athlete
  • Mark Gasser (b. 1972), British concert pianist


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 5) Lorenzo Gasser. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Gasser/Lorenzo_Dow/USA.html


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