Surname Gerbolt - Meaning and Origin

Gerbolt: What does the surname Gerbolt mean?

The last name Gerbolt is of German origin, derived from the word “Gerbold,” or “ger,” which means “spear.” Historically, this means that someone in the family was either a hunter or a soldier. During the Middle Ages, it was common for families to take on a surname that identified their profession. Alternatively, the surname may come from some other German-language word, such as “geruck” (“impetuous”) or “geruch” (“odour”).

One of the earliest recorded uses of the surname Gerbolt is from the 13th century, with a German family called Gerbolt recorded in the records of Hunfeldhurn Monastery near Dietz in Lower Saxony. Subsequently, the name spread throughout Germany, and then to other countries such as the United States and Canada.

Today, the name Gerbolt is quite uncommon. However, those who have it as part of their family history are likely to have German ancestry. It could also indicate a strong heritage of hunting, soldiering, or other skills associated with the historical meaning of the name.

Gerbolt: Where does the name Gerbolt come from?

The last name Gerbolt is most commonly found in Germany with more than 3,800 people listed bearing this last name. The name is also popular in France and Luxembourg, with a few thousand people listed in each country. It can also be found scattered amongst other European countries, with smaller numbers in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria. Its largest population distribution is in the United States, however, with more than 8,500 people listed as having the last name. Most of these can be found in the northern and midwestern states, with an especially large concentration in Wisconsin.

The origin of the name Gerbolt is largely speculative, though it is believed that it comes from the Old Germanic words "gricka" and "brecht", which when combined mean "power of the wolf". As such, it is likely that those who carried this surname were considered to be of noble status. It also suggests a strong connection to nature, which could explain why this name is so commonly found in states with large tracts of woodland and rural areas.

No matter where the name is found today, it is still associated with strength, status, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Variations of the surname Gerbolt

The surname Gerbolt is derived from the Old Germanic name ‘Gerbold’ and has been seen in various spellings in multiple countries. It is believed that the modern German surname Gerbolte comes from the same root.

The variations of the surname Gerbolt include the Dutch and German spelling Gerbolt, the Danish ‘Gerbold’ and the Norwegian ‘Gerboltsen’.

In the United States, the spelling most commonly seen is Gerbault. Another variant found in some places is Gerboldt.

The surname Gerbault is also found in France, and other French speaking countries such as Belgium and Switzerland.

In Australia, the native spelling has been seen as ‘Gerbolt’ or 'Gerboldt', while in England, the original spelling has been preserved as ‘Gerbald’.

In New Zealand the shortened version ‘Gerbolt’, is common, and in Scotland, ‘Gerbold’ can also be found.

In all cases, the surname Gerbolt could also have existed under other spellings, but with similar pronunciation and meaning. In this case, the second elements, ‘Bolt’ and ‘Bold’, would be interchangeable in some cases. Thus, it is possible that other surnames may derive from the same root. Examples of this would be the German surname ‘Gerbolde’, the Norwegian ‘Gerboltson’, and the Scottish ‘Gerboldly’.

Although each of the variants of the surname Gerbolt have similarities in spelling and pronunciation, the regional distribution and spelling forms have varied over the generations. Nevertheless, Gerbolt remains a common name in multiple countries and it is believed to be derived from the Germanic name ‘Gerbold’.

Famous people with the name Gerbolt

• Adalbert Gerbolt: a German football player who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
• Joseph P. Gerbolt: a former member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1933 to 1934.
• Dennis Gerbolt: a Swedish fashion designer most known for his menswear collection and collaboration with various European and Scandinavian fashion houses.
• Hans Gerbolt: a notable military officer and veteran of the Second World War.
• Alexander Gerbolt: a Swedish award-winning classical composer.
• Gustaf Gerbolt: a Swedish-born payments industry executive who served as the CEO of VeriFone from 2009 to 2016.
• Johan Gerbolt: a celebrated sprint and long distance runner who won the Swedish National Championships in both disciplines between the years of 1964 and 1966.
• Anna Gerbolt: an Austrian-born television and stage actress active in Hollywood from the late 1950s to the late 1960s.
• Olaf Gerbolt: a Danish actor mostly known for his roles in the 1960s Danish comedy films.
• Gunilla Gerbolt: a Swedish actress and filmmaker known for her roles in various children's television series.

Other surnames

GerbodeGerboldGerboldtGerbotGerbothGerbothe