Surname Gelruth - Meaning and Origin
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Gelruth: What does the surname Gelruth mean?
Gelruth is a surname with German, Dutch and/or Jewish origins. Its literal meaning is “a sharp-toothed individual.”
In the case of German surnames, Gelruth is an abbreviation of ‘Gelobte Rüstung’. This term is a reference to a knight's armor, and is indicative of an individual who was heroic and courageous during battle.
In the Jewish context, the name can sometimes be a variation of the Jewish surname ‘Galtuer’, which is derived from the Hebrew for ‘to redeem’.
How the name has evolved over the years is unclear, but it is believed to have been used in both Germany and the Netherlands from at least the 17th century.
Today, the name is most commonly encountered in the United States, where immigrants from countries like Germany and the Netherlands resettled. Families who immigrated to America in the late 19th century and early 20th century often adopted the surname as their own.
The Gelruth family are described as strong-willed and brave individuals, with an unwavering faith and loyalty towards their family and friends.
Order DNA origin analysisGelruth: Where does the name Gelruth come from?
The last name Gelruth is commonly found today in areas that have historically had a significant population of people of German descent, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name can also be found in other countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Gelruth is a surname of German origin, and it generally refers to a person who hailed from the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. It likely began as a topographical name for people who lived or worked in or near a container such as a barrel or a cask. Records of the surname in Germany date back to 1688 in the region of Koblenz.
By the late eighteenth century, Gelruth had become popular among families who had emigrated to the United States, and particularly upstate New York and Pennsylvania. As German immigrants made their way to other countries such as Australia and Canada, the surname was carried with them.
Today, Gelruth is still very much a part of the German heritage that has been carried to many parts of the Western world. The Gelruth surname remains fairly widespread and numerous, mainly in countries with strong German roots.
Variations of the surname Gelruth
The surname Gelruth can have multiple variations in spelling and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of the surname Gelruth include Gelder, Gelders, Geldert, Geldner, Geldreich, Geldres, Geldrich, and Geldritter. All of these names are derived from the Middle High German word “geltere,” which means “rich man.”
Gelder and Gelders are the Dutch and Frisian variants of the name. Geldert is a German variant used for a person from the Gelderland region of the Netherlands. Geldner is a Germanic spelling of Gelruth found in southwestern Germany.
Geldreich is a variant found in Austria which could be the combination of the words “Geld” and “Reich,” meaning “rich money.” Geldres is a dialect form of Gelder found in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Geldrich is a variant found in the Rhineland. Geldritter is an occupational surname which is derived from the word “ritter,” meaning “knight,” and “geld,” meaning “money.”
The variants of Gelruth also include Gelroth, Gelder, Geldert, Geldres, Gelridge, and Geller. Gelroth and Gelder are the most common variations in the United States and the former is generally found in western states such as California while the latter is found in the Midwest.
Geller is a variant of Gelruth which is derived from the Hebrew name “Gel” meaning “mighty God.” Geldert and Geldres are dialectal forms of the name and Gelridge is an Americanized form of the name which was adopted by immigrants from Europe.
Famous people with the name Gelruth
- Krista Gellerath: Former Olympic Gymnast and a World Champion.
- Peter Gellerath: German footballer who played for the German national team.
- Rob Gellerath: Former professional ice hockey player.
- Kaspar Gellerath: Swiss painter, graphic designer and calligrapher.
- Mark Gellerath: Entrepreneur and technology leader.
- Amy Gellerath: Professional figure skater.
- Linda Gellerath: Author and philanthropist.
- Steve Gellerath: American basketball coach.
- Maria Gellerath: Olympic medalist and author.
- Gloria Gellerath: U.S. Representative.