Geyer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

The surname Geyer is a nickname surname; that is, it is derived from a nickname given to the original bearer. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demi-gods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans. The surname Geyer is derived from the Old German word "gir," which means "vulture." It was given to a person known for greedy, predatory ways.

Early Origins of the Geyer family

The surname Geyer was first found in Padeborn, in the ancient duchy of Saxony, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. As early as 1288 Johann Gyr appears in mediaeval feudal documents as county ruler in Warburg. As old as these documents may be, the name is also associated with families of ancient nobility in Austria and Franconia (later Hessen). Always prominent in social affairs, the name Geyer became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.

Early History of the Geyer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Geyer research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1490, 1525, 1665, 1685 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Geyer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Geyer Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Geier, Geyer, Gayer, Gaier, Gire, Gyre, Geyre, Gayre, Geyr and many more.

Early Notables of the Geyer family

Prominent bearers of the family name Geyer at this time were

• Florian Geyer (1490-1525), diplomat and soldier, fought on behalf of the Swabian League against Ulrich of Wuerttemberg, and later on the side of the peasants during the Peasant's War

Geyer Ranking

In the United States, the name Geyer is the 5,341^st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Geyer migration to the United States +

Contemporary Notables of the name Geyer (post 1700) +

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