Swiss Submitted Surnames

Swiss names are used in the country of Switzerland in central Europe.
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Gonzaga Spanish, Portuguese, Italian (Archaic)
Habitational name for someone from a location called Gonzaga in Mantua, Italy. This was the name of an Italian family that ruled Mantua from 1328 to 1708.
Gonzague French (Rare)
Gallicized form of Italian Gonzaga.
Gonze French
My family surname originated in southern French-speaking Belgium. There is a tiny village called Gonzeville in northern France near the Belgian border which you can find on Wikipedia. Many surnames from French speaking Belgium have 5 or 6 letters and end in -ze, such as Gonze and Meeze... [more]
Goodbar German (Anglicized), English
Possibly an altered spelling of English Godber, derived from the medieval given name Godebert, or an occupational name for a beer brewer and a nickname for a toper... [more]
Goos German, Flemish, Dutch
Either a metonymic occupational name for a breeder or keeper of geese, from Middle Low German gōs and Middle Dutch goes "goose", or a short form of an Old German personal name containing Gote "Goth" or got "god", particularly Goswin or Gozewijn (a compound name with the second element wini "friend").
Gorga Italian
Topographic name from Sicilian gorga, Catalan gorg(a) ‘place where water collects’, ‘mill pond’, ‘gorge’.
Göring German
German surname most commonly associated with Nazi Party leader, Hermann Göring.
Görlitz German
The name of a small town in Saxony. Derived from old Sorbian word "Zgorelc" meaning "settlement on a burned-out forest."
Göschen German, Low German
Patronymic from the German given name Gottschalk.
Gottfried German, Jewish
Derived from the given name Gottfried. A famous bearer was the American comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried (1955-2022).
Göttgen German
From a Rhenish pet form of the given name Gottfried.
Gottlob German
From the given name Gottlob.
Gottstein German
Topographic name from a field name meaning literally "God's rock" derived from the elements got "god" and stein "stone"... [more]
Götz German
Originally a hypocorism of Gottfried, which is derived from an Old High German given name. Variants include the surnames Getz and Goetz, as well as the given name Götz.
Götze German
From the given name Götz.
Goudeau Germanic (Rare, Archaic), French
Possible variant of the surname Goethe. It also possibly derives from the diminutive Old French of "gode", meaning "happy-go-lucky, debauched".
Goudier German
Germanic patronym from "godhari" meaning "army of God".
Goulet French (Quebec), French
Of uncertain origin and meaning. Theories include a derivation from Old French goule "mouth" (combined with a diminutive suffix), in which case this name would have been a nickname for a glutton.
Goupil French
nickname for someone with red hair or for a cunning person from Old French goupil "fox" Late Latin vulpiculus a diminutive of classical Latin vulpes a distant cognate of Wolf . This was replaced as a vocabulary word during the Middle Ages by Renard originally a personal name.
Gourmand French, Walloon
From French gourmandise meaning "gluttony, greedy eating". Perhaps a nickname for someone who eats a lot.
Gourmaud French
A famous bearer is a journalist well known from the educational TV, Jamy Gourmaud
Gousset French
It is derived from the Old French word gousset, which means "purse" or "wallet". It is likely that this surname was originally given to someone who was a purse maker or a merchant who dealt in small items.
Gozzi Italian, Venetian
Meaning unknown.
Grabe German
Topographic name for someone who lived by a dike or ditch, or habitational name from either of two places in Thuringia named with this word: Grabe and Graba.
Grabenstein German
Habitational name from Grafenstein near Wohlau, Silesia.
Grable German
Means "digger of ditches or graves" (from a derivative of Middle High German graben "ditch"). A famous bearer was US actress, dancer and singer Betty Grable (1916-1973).
Graceffa Italian
Meaning uncertain, possibly from a southern Italian place name in the comune of Aragona in the province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy.
Graef Dutch, German
Variant form of Graf or De Graaf.
Grainville French
Original French form of Granville, from locations in France called Grainville from the given name Guarin and ville "town" meaning "Guarin's town".
Grämlich German
Nickname for an irascible person, derived from Middle High German gramelich, gremlich meaning "angry".
Grammer German, English
Variant of Krämer or a habitational name for someone possibly from German places called Gram or Grammen. It can also be an English occupational name for a scholar or an astrologer, derived from Old French gramaire meaning "grammarian, scholar, astrologer"... [more]
Granarolo Italian (Rare)
Possibly a habitational name related to Italian granaio "granary, barn; region that produces grain", ultimately from Latin granum "grain, seed".
Granata Italian
Granata is an Italian word for a shade of red (maroon), and the Latin name of the city of Granada.
Granato Italian
Occupational name for a jeweler or lapidary, from granato "garnet".
Grand French, Romansh
Derived from Old French grand, grant and Romansh grand "tall; large".
Grande Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Means "tall, large" in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, used as a nickname for a person of large stature.
Grandin French
Diminutive of Grand.
Grandin Italian
Derived from Grande.
Grandis Italian, French
Ultimately from Latin meaning "big, tall".
Grandjean French, French (Swiss)
Derived from French grand meaning "tall, large" and the given name Jean 1, hence possibly a nickname for a tall or large person.
Grandpierre French
Derived from French grand meaning "tall, large" and the given name Pierre.
Grange English, French
Topographic name for someone who lived by a granary, from Middle English, Old French grange (Latin granica "granary, barn", from granum "grain"). In some cases, the surname has arisen from places named with this word, for example in Dorset and West Yorkshire in England, and in Ardèche and Jura in France... [more]
Granier French
French for a grain merchant (from Latin granarius), a topographic name for someone who lived by a granary (from Latin granarium) or a metonymic role name for someone who monitors or owned one.
Grano Italian, Spanish
from grano "grain" (from Latin granum) probably applied as a metonymic occupational name for a farmer or grain merchant.
Gras French
Means "fat" in french.
Grass English, German
Topographic name for someone who owned or lived by a meadow, or a metonymic occupational name for someone who made or sold hay, from Middle English gras, Middle High German gras "grass, pasture, grazing".
Grass Romansh
Derived from Romansh grass "fat".
Grässli Romansh
Derived from Romansh grass "fat" in combination with the diminutive suffix -li.
Gratz German
From a short form of a Germanic personal name reflected by Old High German gratag 'greedy'
Grau German, Jewish
Nickname for someone with gray hair or a gray beard, from German grau "gray".
Graue German
Habitational name from a place so named near Hannover.
Graue German
Variant of Grau.
Graupman German
Occupational name for someone who produced or dealt with grits and legumes, from early modern German graupe "pot barley" (bohemian krupa) and man "man".
Grave French
Topographic name for someone who lived on a patch of gravelly soil, from Old French grave "gravel" (of Celtic origin).
Grave German
Either from the northern form of Graf, but more commonly a topographic name from Middle Low German grave "ditch", "moat", "channel", or a habitational name from any of several places in northern Germany named with this word.
Gravelotte French
Derived from a commune (town) in the Moselle department in Grand Est in north-eastern France, near Metz.
Graves French
Topographic or habitational name derived from Old French grave "gravel".
Graves English, French, German
Derives from someone who had an occupation as a grave digger or a caretaker for a graveyard.
Graziano Italian
From the given name Graziano.
Grebenstein German
Means "stone from the cliff or ridge" from German greben, (cliff or ridge) and stein (stone).... [more]
Greenberger German, Jewish
Anglicized form of the German surname Grünberger, which is formed from the words grün "green", Berg "mountain", and the habitational suffix -er. This name indicated a person who lived on or near a forest-covered mountain.
Greenburgh German, Jewish
The surname Greenburgh is anglicized for the German Jewish surname Greenberg which translates into English as green mountain.
Greenfield English, German (Americanized)
habitational name either from any of numerous minor places called Greenfield, for example in Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex, and Yorkshire, from Old English grene "green" and feld "pasture, open country"... [more]
Greet German
Americanized form of German Fried.
Grégoire French, Belgian
Derived from the given name Grégoire.
Gregori Italian
Patronymic or plural form of Gregorio.
Greif German
Means "Griffin" in German. From the mythological creature.
Greiner Upper German, German (Swiss)
Nickname for a quarrelsome or cantankerous person, derived from Middle High German grīner meaning "squabbler, quarreler" (ultimately an agent derivative of grīn meaning "loud, cry, screaming, shouting")... [more]
Grell German
Nickname for an irritable or irascible person, from Middle High German, Middle Low German grellen "to be angry".
Grell German
Habitational name from a place named Grelle.
Grelle German
Variant of Grell.
Grenier French
Occupational name for a grain merchant (from Latin granarius), or a topographic name for someone who lived by a granary (from Latin granarium) or a metonymic occupational name for someone who supervised or owned one.
Gretzinger German
Habitational name for someone from any of three places named Grötzingen (Old High German Grezzingun) in Baden-Württemberg.
Grewe German, Low German
Low German form of Graf via Middle Low German grave / greve.
Griebe German
Occupational name for a butcher or fat dealer from Middle High German griebe griube "rendered bacon pieces crackling".
Gries Upper German
Topographic name for someone who lived in a sandy place from Middle High German griez meaning “sand pebble” or a shortened form of German Griese.
Grieser Upper German
topographic name for someone living on a sandy site, from Middle High German griez ‘sand’ + -er suffix denoting an inhabitant.
Griessler German
Topographic name for someone who lived or farmed in an area of sand.
Griezmann German (Rare)
This is the surname of French professional footballer Antoine Griezmann.
Griffo Italian
From grifo "gryphon" (Latin gryphus, Greek gryps, of Assyrian origin), hence a nickname for someone thought to resemble the mythical beast.
Griffon French
From a diminutive of Old French griffe "claw", hence a nickname for a grasping or vicious person, or perhaps for someone with a deformed or otherwise remarkable hand.
Grignon French
From French 'grignard' meaning "angry" and "contemptuous", and Old French (of Germanic origin) 'grignier' "to grit the teeth" or "curl the lips".
Grill German
From a nickname for a cheerful person, from Middle High German grille "cricket" (Old High German grillo, from Late Latin grillus, Greek gryllos). The insect is widely supposed to be of a cheerful disposition, no doubt because of its habit of infesting hearths and warm places... [more]
Grimaldo Spanish, Italian
From the given name Grimaldo.
Grimké German (Americanized)
Americanised form of the German surname Grimk or Grimke with French inspiration. This was the name of a prominent American family of abolitionists.
Grimme German
Variant of Grimm.
Grindstaff German (Anglicized)
Americanized form of German Frenzhof or Grenzhof, a place near Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg or Granzow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany.
Grindy German (Modern), French
I have seen elsewhere explanations about this name being German or French in origin. Sorry, I do not have the sources to hand
Griner German (Anglicized), Jewish
Americanised form of German Greiner. It could also denote a person who came from various German places called Grüna or Grünau. In Jewish, it is a topographic name for someone who lived in a green of leafy area, derived from Yiddish grin meaning "green" or Middle High German gruene meaning "greenery".
Grisch Romansh
Derived from Romansh grisch "grey".
Grischott Romansh
Variant of Grisch by way of combining it with the diminutive suffix -ott.
Grisel French, French (Swiss)
Derived from the Old French adjective grisel, a variant of gris meaning "grey". It was a nickname for a person with grey hair a grey complexion or who habitually wore grey.
Grob German
A nickname for a strong, heavy man, or for a lout, from Middle High German g(e)rop "coarse".
Grohl German
Meaning uncertain, but likely a variant of Groll.
Groll German
Derived from grollen, 'to be angry', often used as a nickname for an angry or sulky individual.
Grond Romansh
Variant of Grand.
Grosch German
Either a metonymic occupational name for a moneyer or possibly a nickname for an avaricious person from Middle High German Middle Low German grosche "groschen" a medieval thick silver coin its name ultimately derived from medieval Latin denarius grossus literally "thick coin".
Grosjean French, French (Belgian)
Derived from French gros "large" and the given name Jean 1. As a nickname, it is sometimes applied to a person who is perceived as stupid.
Großkreutz German
From German "groß" meaning big and "kreutz" meaning cross.
Groulx French
Altered form of Guéroult.
Grove French (Anglicized)
Anglicized spelling of the French surname Le Grou(x) or Le Greux (see Groulx)
Grove German
Form of Grob.
Grove German
Habitational name from any of several places named Grove or Groven in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, derived from Middle Low Germany grove "hole, pit, ditch, channel"... [more]
Grove German
Variation of Graf.
Grube German
Name for someone who lived in a depression or hollow, from Middle High German gruobe "pit", "hollow". See also Gruber.
Grube German
From the personal name Grubo.
Grullon Dominican, Mexican, French
Possibly from a derivative of Spanish grulla "crane (bird)" presumably applied as a nickname for tall thin person; in Mexico however grulla denotes a crafty person
Grumbach German (Swiss), Alsatian
From the name of various places in Switzerland and Germany, for example the municipality of Grumbach in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Grün German, Jewish
from Middle High German gruoni "green fresh raw" hence a nickname for someone who habitually dressed in green a topographic name for someone who lived in a green and leafy place or a habitational name for someone from a place called with this word such as Gruna Grunau in Silesia... [more]
Grünbaum German, Jewish
from Middle High German gruoni "green" and boum "tree" probably a topographic or habitational name referring to a house distinguished by the sign of a tree in leaf... [more]
Grundel German, Swedish
A German/swedish name. Meaning unknown, possibly means "bottom". A person bearing this surname is Heinz Grundel, a former footballer. ... [more]
Grünfeld German, Jewish
Habitational name from any of several places in northern and central Germany named Grünfeld named with elements meaning "green open country" derived from the elements gruoni "green" and feld "field"... [more]
Grünwald German, Jewish
Habitational name from any of various places called Grünewald from Middle High German gruoni "green" and wald "wood forest"... [more]
Grunwald German, German (Swiss), Jewish
German and Swiss German (Grünwald): habitational name from any of various places named Grün(e)wald, from Middle High German gruene ‘green’ + walt ‘wood’, ‘forest’. ... [more]
Guadagnino Italian
It came from Italian word guadagno which means "earnings" and has a diminutive suffix ino which is also an occupation suffix.
Gualtieri Italian
From the given name Gualtiero.
Guàrdia Catalan, Spanish, Italian
Catalan, Spanish, and Italian from Catalan guàrdia, Spanish and Italian guardia ‘guard’, ‘watch’, a topographic name for someone who lived by a watch place, an occupational name for a member of the town guard, or a habitational name from any of the numerous places named (La) Guardia.
Guardia Italian, Spanish
From Spanish and Italian guardia "guard watch" a topographic name for someone who lived by a watch place by a watchtower or a habitational name from any of numerous places called La Guardia named with the same word; or a metonymic occupational name for someone who kept watch or for a member of the town guard... [more]
Guarino Italian
From the given name Guarino.
Guarracino Italian
Nothing is known of this family name other then they grew up in Manhattan, New York, other states and cities too but most can from boats and had to be quertied at Ellis Island, New York
Guarracino Italian (Americanized, Modern)
from a diminutive of a personal name derived from Guerra ‘war’.
Guasti Italian
Meaning uncertain, may denote someone from the town of Guasto. Alternately, it may be an occupational name from gastaldo "chamberlain", from Latin gastaldus "manager, bailiff, steward", or be a nickname from guasto "broken, crippled".
Guay French
Variant of Guyet or Guet.
Guay French
Variant of Gay.
Gubler German (Swiss)
Means "Of the Mountains"... [more]
Gucci Italian
Patronymic or plural form of the given name Guccio, a late medieval Italian diminutive of various names ending in go, such as Arrigo (via Arriguccio) or Ugo (via Uguccio)... [more]
Gucciardo Italian
From the personal name Gucciardo, a revival of French Guichard, of Germanic origin, probably composed of the elements wig 'battle' or wisa 'experience' + hard 'strong', 'brave', 'hardy'.
Gucciardo Italian, Sicilian
from the given name Gucciardo a cognate of French Guichard of ancient Germanic origin probably composed of the elements wig "battle" or wisa "experience" and hard "strong brave hardy"... [more]
Guccione Italian, Sicilian
Derived from the given name Guccio, a diminutive of Arriguccio, Uguccio and other names ending in guccio.
Guengerich German (Americanized)
Potentially from German “junge” and “reich,” meaning “rich at a young age.” Anglicized by immigrants as either Guengerich or Gingrich.
Guenther German
German: from a Germanic personal name composed of gund ‘battle’ + hari, heri ‘army’.
Guercio Italian
Probably a variant of Guerzoni, though it may derive from a Germanic given name.
Guerino Italian
From the given name Guerino.
Guerlain French
Derived from the given name Guerlain.
Guéroult French
Old French form of an uncertain Ancient Germanic given name, possibly composed of Old Germanic warōną "to watch, protect, guard", gredaz "desire, hunger" or gernaz "eager, willing", or Old High German ger "spear" combined with either wolf "wolf" or walt "power, authority".
Guerre French
French cognate of Guerra and variant of Laguerre, from the element werra "war".
Guerrier French, Haitian Creole
Nickname for an aggressive person or occupational name for a soldier, from Old French guerrier "warrior". Cognate of Guerrero and Guerriero.
Guerry French
From the Germanic given name Wigric derived from the elements wig "battle" and ric "powerful".
Guertin French
A French surname that evolved from the Old Germanic given name Warin meaning "to guard" or "protection". This surname was often given as an occupational name for a guard, or someone who served as a protector in their community.
Guerzoni Italian
From guercio "cross-eyed, one-eyed; blind in one eye".
Guet French
French - From Old French guet "lookout, watchman".
Guglielmi Italian
From the given name Guglielmo.
Guglielmo Italian
From the given name Guglielmo.
Gugliuzza Italian
Derivative of the personal name Guglia.
Guibert French
From the given name Guibert.
Guichard French
From the medieval name Guichard derived form the Germanic name Wighard... [more]
Guidetti Italian
Derived from the given name Guido.
Guido Italian, German
From the given name Guido.
Guignard French
from the old Germanic name Winihard composed of the elements wini "friend" and hart "hard strong".
Guilbeau French
Possibly from Ancient Germanic wil, meaning "will, power", and Latin bellus, meaning "beautiful".
Guilbert French, Guernésiais
Either from the given name Guilbert the French form of Wilbert or a variant of Gilbert.
Guiles French
Of uncertain origin; it could be a variant of French Guill or of English Guile or Giles .
Guillard French
From the given name Willihard and French cognate of Willard.
Guilleaume French, German
Possibly related to the French given name Guillaume.
Guilliot French
From a pet form of the personal name Guille, itself a short form of Guillaume.
Guillotin French
From a diminutive of Guillaume and a variant of Guillot. A notable user is Joseph-Ignace Guillotin whom the guillotine was named after.
Guillou French, Breton
Possibly derived from the given name Guillaume.
Guimond French
from the medieval French name Guimond from the Germanic name Wigmund composed of the ancient Germanic elements wig "battle combat" and mund "protection".
Guin French
From the given name Guin the French form of Wino a short form of names with the element win "friend".
Guion French
French: from the Germanic personal name Wido (see Guy 1).
Guiraud French
From the given name Gérald.
Guiscard French
Derived from the Medieval French given name Guiscard.
Guitry French
Derived from the given name Witeric. A famous bearer of this name was Sacha Guitry (1885-1957), a French actor, playwright, screenwriter and director.
Gülden German
Variant of Gulden, a metonymic occupational name for a craftsman who gilded objects, or a habitational name referring to a house name such as In den silvren Gulden ("In the Silver Guilder"), De Gulden Hoeve ("The Gilded Farmhouse") or De Gulden Zwaan ("The Gilded Swan").
Gulden Dutch, German
Means "golden, gilded" or "guilder, florin (coin)", possibly an occupational name for a goldsmith, or a habitational name derived from a house.
Gullette French
Comes from Guillemme or William of Normandy. Reference 1066: The Battle of Hastings.
Gulotta Italian
Italian: from the female personal name, a pet form of Gulla.
Gum German
North German:... [more]
Guntli Romansh
Derived from Romansh cunt "count" in combination with the diminutive suffix -li.
Gunzenhauser German, Jewish
Habitational name for someone from either of two places named Gunzenhausen, one in Württemberg and the other in Bavaria.
Gurney English, French, Norman
Originated from the region Normandy in France, is also a biospheric name from Gournay-en-Bray, a commune in France. It is also a fictional character's maiden name, Jacqueline "Jackie" Bouvier from the animated sitcom show, The Simpsons.
Gurrieri Italian, Sicilian
Sicilian variant of Guerrieri and Guerriero. Cognate of Guerrero and Guerrier.
Gusmeroli Italian
Possibly from an alternate form of Cosma.
Gust German
German: from a short form of the personal name Jodocus, which is either a Latinized form of a Breton name, Iodoc, borne by a 7th-century Breton saint (compare Jost and Joyce) or from a reduced form of the personal name Augustus.... [more]
Gustavo Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
From the given name Gustavo.
Gutfreund German
From the words gut freund, which means "good friend."
Gutherz German, Jewish
Nickname for a kindly or righteous person. Derived from Middle High German guot meaning "good" and herz meaning "heart".
Gutjahr German, German (Swiss)
nickname for someone born on New Year's Day from a New Year's greeting meaning "Good year".
Gutknecht German, German (Swiss)
Status name for a page of noble birth (Middle High German guot kneht).
Gutknecht German, German (Swiss)
status name for a page of noble birth (Middle High German guot kneht). Derived from the elements guot "good" and kneht "servant, apprentice".
Gütlin German, Yiddish
Diminutive of GUTE and GUTA, recorded in Frankfurt, Germany throughout the 14th century.
Gutmann German, Jewish (Ashkenazi)
German cognate of Goodman. from Middle High German guot man literally "good man, capable man" derived from the elements guot "good" and man "man"... [more]
Gutting German
Of uncertain origin. Probably from a Germanic personal name formed with god "good" or god, got "god".
Gutwald f German
Gutwald is a surname of German origin, which can be derived from the German words ‘Gut’ meaning ‘good’ and ‘Wald’ meaning ‘woods’, thus creating the meaning ‘good woods’. The surname is also derived from the German personal name 'Gottwald', which was derived from the Old High German 'Gottwalt' meaning ‘rule of God’ or ‘God’s power’.
Guy English, French
From a French form of the Germanic personal name Wido, which is of uncertain origin. This name was popular among the Normans in the forms Wi, Why as well as in the rest of France in the form Guy.
Guyet French
Derived from Guy.
Guyon French
From a diminutive of Guy 1.
Gyatt English, French
Variant of Guyatt, Guyet, or Guyot, all diminutives of Guy.
Haack German
One who lived at the bend or hook in the river. (See Hooker)
Habelt German
from a pet form of the Germanic personal name Habo, a short form of various compound names formed with had(u) ‘battle’, ‘strife’
Haberfeld German
Means "oat field". From the words habaro "oat" and feld "field
Haberfield German (Anglicized)
Partial anglicization of Haberfeld
Haberland German
Topographic name from Middle High German haber(e) "oats" and land "land", or a habitational name from any of various places so called.
Häberli German (Swiss)
Derived from Alemannic and Upper German Haber, a variant of Standard High German Hafer "oats" in combination with the diminutive suffix -li. This name denoted a young farmer of oats.
Habermann German, Jewish
Occupational name for a grower or seller of oats, composed of the elements Haber and the agent suffix -mann.
Habermehl German
metonymic occupational name for a producer or seller of oatmeal from Middle High German habaro "oats" and melo "flour".
Habsburg German
This surname may have been used by someone whose descendants originated from the House of Habsburg, which was one of the most important royal houses in Europe. It is assumed that the surname is derived from High German Habichtsburg meaning "hawk castle," but some historians and linguists believe that it may actually be derived from Middle High German hab/hap meaning "ford", as there is a river with a ford nearby.
Hack German
Variant of Haack.
Hackmann German, Jewish
Occupational name for a butcher or a woodcutter.
Haefele Upper German
Occupational name for a potter.
Haëntjens French, Belgian, Dutch, Luxembourgish
Either a diminutive form of the surname De Haan, or a pet form of the given name Hanne 1.
Häfeli German (Swiss)
Occupational name for a potter.
Hafer German, Jewish
Metonymic occupational name for a grower of or dealer in oats, from German Hafer "oats". Compare Haber. As a Jewish surname, it is in many cases ornamental.
Hagedorn German, Dutch
German and Dutch cognate of Hawthorne. Topographic name from Middle High German hagedorn "hawthorn" from hag "hedge" and dorn "thorn"... [more]
Hagelberg German
From German hagel meaning "hail" and berg meaning "mountain".
Hagelstein German
nickname for a hot-headed irascible man from Middle High German hagelstein "hailstone" derived from the elements hagel "hail" and stein "stone"