Surname Geerdsen - Meaning and Origin
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Geerdsen: What does the surname Geerdsen mean?
The last name Geerdsen is of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic given name Gerd or the personal name Garrison. The meaning of this name is related to 'swordsman' or 'spearman'.
Historically, the surname could have been of Norman or Old French origin associated with the old German verb “gerd” which means “to grasp or seize” as in “military force or weaponry”. In the Middle Ages, it was popular among the Germanic tribes who were armed with swords and spears and was devolved by the descendants of a warrior.
In modern times, this name has changed little in spelling, but is varied in significance meaning with each city and region it is used in. It could mean a strong-willed person who is brave and willing to fight, someone of great strength, a stalwart in battle, or a loyal friend.
The surname Geerdsen has been found in German records as early as the 16th century. It is still used as a given name and surname in Germany, Denmark and neighboring countries, and is a popular name in North America among families with German heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGeerdsen: Where does the name Geerdsen come from?
The surname Geerdsen is primarily associated with Germany today, particularly in the northeastern part of the country near the border with the Netherlands. The name can be found in pockets all over the country, though it's not especially common anywhere.
It’s believed that the patronymic surname derived from the given name of Gerhard, and appears to have first come about in the 16th or 17th century, likely in the area now known as Lower Saxony. That’s where records show that the first known bearer of the surname was Gerhard Geersden, born around 1563 in Krummhörn.
From Germany, the name spread across Europe and parts of the United States, although today the Geerdsen surname is more associated with German immigrants who brought the name to the US in the 1800s. Many of these immigrants arrived in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
Today, you can find a fair number of Geerdsen family members who are of American descent, many of whom have kept the surname going through the generations. There are also families living in other parts of the world, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia that are of German descent and can be traced back to an ancestor with this surname.
Overall, the Geerdsen surname is still in use in multiple countries, although it’s primarily found in Germany.
Variations of the surname Geerdsen
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Geerdsen are numerous. Geerdesen, Geerds, Geerdsenn, Geerdsz, Geerdz, Gerdesen, Girdsen, Gerdesz, Gierdsen, Geerdzenn, Geerdts, Geerdtz, Geerdtzs, Gerdtsen, Gerardsen, Gerretsen, Gerritsen, Gerritsz, Ghirdsz, Girdsz, and Girtz are all various spellings of the same surname.
The surname Geerdsen was originally derived from a German/Flemish background, and it is thought to have been first used in the Netherlands. The meaning behind the name Geerdsen is “guard” or “watchman”, often referring to the guarding of a homestead, farm, or estate.
The variants of the surname Geerdsen would have evolved over time due to misspellings and accidental alterations of the surname in documents. The most widely used variant was undoubtedly Gerdesen, due to the phonetic similarities to the original name. Additionally, alternate spellings of the name began to emerge as the centuries progressed and documents were written in different languages.
Overall, the surname Geerdsen has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Geerdesen, Geerds, Geerdsenn, Geerdsz, Geerdz, Gerdesen, Girdsen, Gerdesz, Gierdsen, Geerdzenn, Geerdts, Geerdtz, Geerdtzs, Gerdtsen, Gerardsen, Gerretsen, Gerritsen, Gerritsz, Ghirdsz, Girdsz, and Girtz. All of these names can be traced back to a common root, and all originated from the German/Flemish origin, meaning “guard” or “watchman”.
Famous people with the name Geerdsen
- Sylvia Geerdsen: a Danish artist focusing on illustrations and comics
- René Geerdsen: a Danish author and journalist
- Ole Geerdsen: a Danish soccer player
- Frank Geerdsen: a German actor
- Jens Geerdsen: a Danish lawyer
- Anna Geerdsen: an American painter
- Agnes Geerdsen: an American collage artist
- Erik Geerdsen: a Danish photographer and director
- Danny Geerdsen: a Danish bassist
- Zoe Geerdsen: a Dutch businesswoman and entrepreneur