Surname Gehrwald - Meaning and Origin
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Gehrwald: What does the surname Gehrwald mean?
The last name Gehrwald is of German origin and is derived from the German words “gehr” and “wald” which literally translates to “reed” and “forest” respectively. The name was most likely given to someone who had lived in or near a reed thicket in a forest setting. As a surname, it could have been a description of a person’s home or a characteristic of their physical environment, such as a specific forest. Alternatively, the name could have been adopted to indicate a profession or place of origin; reed was used to make baskets and mats, and forests were often a source of resources such as firewood, fodder, berries, and honey.
The surname was also used to distinguish between branches within a family. As a surname, it could have been part of an inherited family name, or adopted out of desire to be distinguished from other families or individuals. The surname is indicative of the historical importance of forests and the prominence of reeds in human culture.
The last name Gehrwald is still very common among Germans, though it has also been adopted by other nationalities around the world. To this day it stands as an example of German pride and heritage, and remains an integral part of the German identity.
Order DNA origin analysisGehrwald: Where does the name Gehrwald come from?
The surname Gehrwald is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. Within the past two centuries, Gehrwald has spread to other parts of Europe such as the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Russia, all with concentrations in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Gehrwald is also found in other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Gehrwald is a very old surname with a traceable lineage dating back more than 700 years. It is believed to be of Germanic origin, with the first known bearers of the name having lived in the small village of Gehrwald in Franconia, Germany. Over the centuries, migration of the Gehrwalds spread the name to neighboring areas and eventually further afield.
In Germany, the name Gehrwald is most common in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia, Saxony, and Berlin. Gehrwalds living in Austria tend to be concentrated in the state of Lower Austria, while the Gehrwalds in Switzerland are mostly found in the Canton of Zurich. In the United States, Gehrwalds are more scattered than in previous generations, but the largest concentrations of Gehrwalds are in Pennsylvania, followed by New York, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Overall, Gehrwald is a rather uncommon surname, with only approximately 1,000 people having it today. It continues to be maintained by the descendants of the original Gehrwalds and further spread through marriages and immigration.
Variations of the surname Gehrwald
The surname Gehrwald is shared by many people across the world. It is a German and Dutch name derived from the Germanic name of 'Gerlacht,' meaning 'spear' and 'wald,' which means 'rule.' This name is also spelled Gehrwalt, Gerlach, Gehrlach, Gerwald, Gerwalt, Gerwold, Garwald and Garwalt.
Gehrwald is derived from two elements, Ger meaning spear and wald meaning rule. This name was used to refer to someone holding a position of influence and authority in the region from which the surname originated; it is also thought to have derived from the Germanic word ger which means spear. The common Western Germanic spelling Gar or Ger was used to form compound names, such as Garwald and Gerwald, to indicate the rule of a people.
In the Netherlands, the name may be found spelled as Gerlach, Gehrlach, or Gehrwalt. It is thought to be a Dutchified version of the German Gerlacht, which evolved to become Gerwald. In Germany, the name is predominantly found spelled as Gehrwald, Gerwald, Gerwalt, Gerwold, or Garwald. Similarly, in Germany, the variant of Garwalt is also seen.
Gehrwald is also used as a surname throughout Europe, having spread from its German and Dutch origins to nearby countries and other parts of Europe by intermarriage and by migration. In countries where the language is not German-based, the surname may appear with different spelling variations, depending on the country’s language and alphabet.
In conclusion, Gehrwald is a German and Dutch surname derived from the Germanic name of 'Gerlacht', meaning 'spear' and 'wald' meaning 'rule'. It is a surname often found throughout Europe and is commonly spelled Gehrwald, Gerlach, Gehrlach, Gerwald, Gerwalt, Gerwold, Garwald and Garwalt. Variations on this surname can be found depending on the particular country’s language and alphabet.
Famous people with the name Gehrwald
- Judge Dean Michael Gehrwald: Judge Gehrwald serves on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- Elmar Gehrwald: Elmar is a German racing cyclist.
- Dr. Hannes Gehrwald: Dr. Gehrwald is a world-renowned physicist and a professor at the University of Bonn.
- Jürgen Gehrwald: Jürgen is a German von Olympic ski jumper and former world champion.
- Christoph Gehrwald: Christoph is a German composer and multi-instrumentalist, who has composed for several Hollywood films.
- Erich Gehrwald: Erich is an Austrian politician and member of the European Parliament.
- Gernot Gehrwald: Gernot is a former Austrian footballer and manager.
- Franziska Gehrwald: Franziska is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen.
- Friedhelm Gehrwald: Friedhelm is a German actor and writer, best known for his role in the TV movie “Der Krieg der Kleinen Dinge”.
- Jan Gehrwald: Jan is a German historian from the University of Heidelberg and a renowned expert on German Philology.