Surname Gerckens - Meaning and Origin

Gerckens: What does the surname Gerckens mean?

The last name Gerckens is of German origin from the Middle Ages and is derived from the name ‘Gerhard’ which is derived from the Old German personal name ‘Gerhart’. Gerhart is composed of the elements ‘ger’, which means spear and ‘hard’, meaning strong or hardy. Therefore, the name Gerckens translates to mean ‘strong spear’.

The surname Gerckens can be found first found in East Prussia, before the 14th century and is believed to have descended from a warrior in the army of one of the German royal families. This warrior was given the name ‘Gerck’, which evolved into ‘Gerckens’. The Gerckens family is believed to have migrated throughout Europe, eventually settling in the Netherlands, Germany, England, France, Australia, Canada and the United States.

The Family Crest or coat of arms of the Gerckens family is a silver shield held up by two lion supporters, with an open crowned helmet on the top. On the shield are three vertically aligned red chevrons. Along the bottom of the shield is a red ribbon with an inscription in German which translates to mean ‘Fidus Et Audalls’, which is translated to mean ‘Faithful and Audacious’.

The Gerckens family name is synonymous with strength, loyalty and courage, and serves as a reminder of the steadfast courage and strength of the Gerckens family ancestors.

Gerckens: Where does the name Gerckens come from?

The last name Gerckens is most commonly found in Germany and The Netherlands today. It is especially popular in eastern Germany, especially in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as well as in the Netherlands, especially in the northern and western parts.

The surname is thought to have originated in the medieval German Kingdom of Prussia, and is believed to be of German and Dutch descent. The name likely derives from a nickname given to a person who was particularly strong or courageous, or perhaps from a combination of two different names.

The name Gerckens is also relatively common in the United States amongst German-American and Dutch-American families. It is the 564th most common surname in the United States according to the US Census Bureau in 2020. There is also a small presence of Gerckens in countries such as Canada, Austria and South Africa.

Most families with the name Gerckens today are of middle class to upper class status. For German-American and Dutch-American families, they often trace their roots back to farmers, merchants, and professionals from rural areas who immigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname Gerckens

The surname Gerckens has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the spellings of this surname include Gerken, Gerking, Gerckmans, and Gercke. Other surnames that are derived from the same original name are Gerkens, Garckens, Gerkense, Garkens, and Gerkine.

The surname Gerckens originated in the Netherlands. The name likely is derived from the Dutch word ‘Gerk’, which means a bond or agreement. This could indicate that the original person with this surname was someone responsible for keeping records and agreements in order to resolve disputes, and the surname was adopted as a sign of their profession.

The Gerckens spelling is also commonly seen in Germany, where it is spelled as the surnames Garcken, Gercken, Gercksen, Gerkens, Gerckens, Gerckes, Gercks, Gerckmann, Gercke, and Gerkissen.

There are several other spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gerckens, including Gerking, Gerkman, Gerkens, Garkens, and Gerkine. All of these spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gerckens likely evolved as their bearers migrated and settled in different regions throughout Europe.

Famous people with the name Gerckens

• Jennette Gerckens-She is an American Voice Actress, who voiced characters in various loony toons, like Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs.
• Stephen A. Gerckens-Stephen is a former American basketball player who played for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks from 1988 to 1990.
• Simone Gerckens-Simone is an American designer and model. She has been featured on magazine covers, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle.
• Izaak Gerckens-Izaak is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Eindhoven.
• Fred Gerckens-Fred is an American attorney and the current president of Gerckens & Associates.
• Shawn Gerckens-Shawn is an American baseball player. He has played for various Major League Baseball teams, including the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Boston Red Sox.
• Craig Gerckens-Craig was an American figure skater who competed in the 1992 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the pairs event.
• Hank Gerckens-Hank is an American race car driver. He competes in the ARCA Racing Series, and was the winner of the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series.
• Linda Gerckens-Linda is an American professor of history at the University of Michigan. She specializes in the history of Early Modern Europe.
• Nancy Gerckens-Nancy is a Canadian-born American designer who was one of the most influential figures in American fashion in the 1980s and 1990s.

Other surnames

GerckeGercken