Surname Gehrlicher - Meaning and Origin

Gehrlicher: What does the surname Gehrlicher mean?

The last name Gehrlicher is of German origins and is derived from the old German name Gierschlich, meaning "Gierschlich's descendants". Gierschlich was an old German personal name composed of elements meaning “spear” and “like” or “similar”. The term gehr as a suffix in German compound words denotes “similarity to”, such as in the pejorative phrases gehrenräuber (thief by similarity) or gehrnase (someone with a nose resembling an animal's snout). Therefore, the name Gehrlicher means “descendants of someone that is similar to a lance” or in modern context “descendants of a courageous person”.

The Gehrlicher name has been found primarily in Germany, but also exists in the United States. The name became popular in the United States during the mid 1800s as the result of German immigration. Since then, the Gehrlicher name has been found all over the United States and many descendants still carry the name with them.

In addition, the Gehrlicher name has been found in other places outside Germany, such as Austria and Switzerland. In these places, the Gehrlicher name has been used to denote a strong and courageous person who shows leadership skills and works well in a team. It is believed that these traits originated from the “spear-like” qualities associated with the name.

In conclusion, the last name Gehrlicher is of German origin and carries the connotation of having similar traits to a lance or spear, such as showing courage and leadership. The name has been found in several countries, including the United States, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Gehrlicher: Where does the name Gehrlicher come from?

The last name Gehrlicher is most commonly found today in parts of Germany and Austria where it likely originated centuries ago. In Germany, the most prominent estate of the name is found in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly in the cities of Dortmund, Essen, and Recklinghausen. In Austria, the most pronounced estates are concentrated in Vienna and Lower and Upper Austria. Outside of Central Europe, there are many smaller populations of the name that are spread across the globe. The United States, which has seen immigration from Germany and Austria over the years, has a notable population of the Gehrlicher family, particularly in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Other parts of the Americas, including Canada, Argentina, and Chile, similarly have important populations, as well as many other locations around the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. While the name is not incredibly common, it is not rare either, and its presence can be found in various places across the world.

Variations of the surname Gehrlicher

The surname Gehrlicher is an archaic spelling of the name Gerlich or Gerlach. The variant spellings for Gehrlicher are Gerlacher, Gerlich, and Gerlach. These are all German surnames which were used primarily in the Middle Ages as a byname, usually derived from the name of a region, place of residence, or occupation.

The most common variant of the name, Gerlach, is derived from the Old High German “ger” meaning “spear” and “lah” meaning “courtyard” or “dwelling”. This could indicate a place of residence, referring to a courtyard filled with weapons such as spears. Alternately, it could imply a profession as a spear-maker. Other variant spellings include Gerlich, which is a diminutive of Gerlach, and Gerlacher, which could mean “one who lives near the Gerlach”.

The Gerlich and Gehrlicher variations of the name are also believed to have originated from the name George, which was quite popular in medieval German-speaking countries. This could mean that it was used as a patronymic, referring to the father who had the name George.

Today, the surname is still in use and many people with the surname can be found residing in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. There are also branches of the Gehrlicher name, such as the Darche, Degerlacher, and Gehrman families, in addition to many others that can be found throughout Europe, North America, and even Australia. In some cases, the surname has even crossed oceans and made its way to countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and other countries in South America.

Famous people with the name Gehrlicher

• Paul Gehrlicher: Paul Gehrlicher is an Austrian former ski jumper who competed on the international circuit from 1983 to 1989.
• August Gehrlicher: August Gehrlicher was a German physicist and inventor-engineer who designed and built the world’s first refrigerators and cold storage units in the late 19th century.
• Arthur Gehrlicher: Arthur Gehrlicher was an Austrian skier and Olympic athlete. He competed in both the 1924 and 1928 Winter Olympics with his highest finish coming in 1928 when he placed ninth in the combined event.
• Charles Gehrlicher: Charles Gehrlicher was an American photographer best known for his yeti photography in the 1930s. He captured images of the Abominable Snowman in the Himalayas, among other exotic locales.
• Heinz Gehrlicher: Heinz Gehrlicher was a German physicist and engineer who contributed to the advancement of German nuclear research during the Second World War.
• Joachim Gehrlicher: Joachim Gehrlicher is a German historian, writer, and curator who specializes in topics related to Berlin, German culture, and art.
• Günter Gehrlicher: Günter Gehrlicher is a German entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of GISpro, a company specializing in the design and development of geographic information systems.

Other surnames

Gehrlich