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Geist Family History

Geist Name Meaning

German: in most cases a distorted form of Geiss ‘goat’ a metonymic occupational name for a goatherd or nickname for a stubborn person from Middle High German geiz ‘goat’. German: topographic or habitational name referring to a house marked by the sign of the Holy Spirit (normally depicted as a dove) from Middle High German geist ‘spirit’. Both Geist and Heilgeist occur as house signs in Frankfurt am Main in the mid 14th century. North German: topographic name for someone who lived in an area of barren sandy soil Middle Low German gēst.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Reis, Geiss, Gest, Feist, Leist, Gast, Gerst, Weiss, Oest, Geiser

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Where is the Geist family from?

You can see how Geist families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Geist family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Geist families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 9 Geist families living in Berkshire. This was about 33% of all the recorded Geist's in United Kingdom. Berkshire and 1 other county had the highest population of Geist families in 1891.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Geist surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Geist

What Geist family records will you find?

Census Records
There are 22,000 census records available for the last name Geist. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Geist census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.
Search UK census records for Geist
Passenger Lists
There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Geist. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.
View all Geist immigration records
Draft Cards
There are 14,000 military records available for the last name Geist. For the veterans among your Geist ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.
View all Geist military records

Census Records

There are 22,000 census records available for the last name Geist. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Geist census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Geist

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Geist. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Geist immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 14,000 military records available for the last name Geist. For the veterans among your Geist ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Geist military records

You've only scratched the surface of Geist family history

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What is the average Geist lifespan?

Between 1944 and 2004, in the United States, Geist life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1944, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Geist in 1944 was 28, and 79 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Geist

Browse profiles of historical people with the Geist last name

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