Explore the Family Name Gesell
The meaning of Gesell
German: from Middle High German geselle ‘companion’ (Old High German gisell(i)o, a derivative of sal ‘hall’, originally referring to someone who shared living accommodation). In the medieval trade guilds, this word acquired the specialized sense of ‘journeyman’, i.e. one who had completed his apprenticeship and was working in the workshop of a master craftsman; the surname may well be derived from this specialized sense, rather than merely from a nickname meaning ‘companion’ or ‘friend’. Some characteristic forenames: German Dieter, Gerhard, Hans, Inge.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Gesell in the United States?
The surname Gesell saw slight changes in popularity between 2000 and 2010 according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, it had a rank of 25,169 which dropped slightly to 26,391 in 2010, indicating a decrease in popularity by 4.86%. The count of individuals with this surname remained nearly the same, increasing marginally from 924 to 925 people. However, the proportion per 100k population decreased by 8.82% from 0.34 to 0.31.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #25,169 | #26,391 | -4.86% |
| Count | 924 | 925 | 0.11% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.34 | 0.31 | -8.82% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Gesell
Regarding the ethnicity of those carrying the Gesell surname, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates some shifts over the decade. Individuals identifying as White comprised the majority, although their percentage decreased slightly from 95.56% in 2000 to 93.41% in 2010. Those identifying as Hispanic rose from 2.16% to 3.35%, marking a significant increase of 55.09%. There was also an increase among those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander, moving from 0.65% to 0.86%, and those reporting two or more races, increasing from 1.19% to 2.05%. No Gesells identified as Black or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 95.56% | 93.41% | -2.25% |
| Hispanic | 2.16% | 3.35% | 55.09% |
| Two or More Races | 1.19% | 2.05% | 72.27% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.65% | 0.86% | 32.31% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |