Surname Gerelt - Meaning and Origin
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Gerelt: What does the surname Gerelt mean?
The last name Gerelt is of Mongolian origin and has a long and complicated history. It is believed to have originated with the ancient Mongolian tribe known as the Gerel. The Gerel were one of the Mongolian tribes that unified under Genghis Khan in the 13th century. The Mongolian language does not directly translate to English, so the exact meaning of the last name is unclear. One interpretation is that it may mean "talented person" or "one who is respected." It could also be interpreted as "one who has been blessed with luck" or "one who is noble."
The Gerel are believed to have gone through several generations of migrations over time, and the family name likely evolved as well. By the 19th century, the Gerels had spread throughout China, Eastern Russia, Tibet, and much of Central Asia. It's possible that the original meaning of the surname has been lost over time and is now widely used to represent anyone with Mongolian heritage.
Today, Gerelt is a fairly common last name in many areas of the world, especially in Mongolia and other parts of Central and Eastern Asia. Although the exact meaning of this surname remains unclear, its legacy and historical significance make it one of the most iconic Mongolian last names.
Order DNA origin analysisGerelt: Where does the name Gerelt come from?
The last name Gerelt is most commonly found today in Mongolia, although it is not limited to this corner of the world. It is also found in other parts of Asia and Europe, though not always with the same spelling. In Mongolia, Gerelt is one of the top 10 most common surnames, believed to be derived from the ancient name Gerel, which was borne by the Hupei nobility and meant ‘noble’ or ‘well born.’ Even today, the name Gerelt is given to Mongolian children as a sign of respect for their ancestors and to honour the memory of their heritage.
Outside of Mongolia, Gerelt is still found in other parts of Asia, including China, Japan, and even South Korea, where it is one of the five most common surnames. In Europe, Gerelt is found in Germany, Poland, and France, among other countries, and usually takes the form of Garlyte or Garlett. In the Americas, Gerelt is relatively uncommon—though it can be found in Brazil, Argentina, and the United States, usually in the form of Garlett or Garlyte.
Throughout its history, the Gerelt family has maintained a sense of pride and identity, valuing loyalty, respect, and dedication. Despite its global spread, Gerelt remains an uncommon surname elsewhere, but those who carry it proudly reflect the values of their Mongolian ancestors.
Variations of the surname Gerelt
The surname Gerelt has its origins in German, and as such it is spelled in the German fashion. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Gerolt, Gerolet, Gerel, Gerell, Geroll, Gerall, Geerelt, Gerelle, Geerlet, and Gerl.
The first recorded occurrence of the surname is in Prussia in the early 1500s, where it was primarily found in the East German region of Rhineland-Palatinate. The surname was popular as it was used to refer to someone from the town or village of Gerelt, which is located in Limburg-Kreis, in the former state of Prussia.
When the family name was brought to the US, it was often changed to Americanized variations such as Garrot, Garrette, Gerolette, Geroll, Gerelles, and Gerillo. These spellings were deemed as more American-friendly and easier to pronounce.
The surname can also be found in countries such as Finland, Canada, and France. In Canada, Gerelt is the name of a family who own a farm in Nova Scotia.
In other countries as well, the spelling of the surname has changed according to local language and dialect. For example, in Finland the surname can be seen as Jerylt, Jereylt and Gerelli, whilst in France its variants include Jeralt, Jerellat, and Jeralet.
In the Netherlands, the surname Gerelt can be found in records as early as the 1700s, and is the name of a large family living in the Friesland province. The original spelling of the surname is Geerlt, which is now seen as an obsolete spelling.
Famous people with the name Gerelt
- Gesangma Gerelt: a Mongolian singer and songwriter who is known for his songwriting for the romantic genre.
- Tsend-Ayush Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian politician who served as the Minister of the Environment and Tourism until 2011.
- Ochirbat Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian politician who served as Prime Minister of Mongolia from 2000 to 2004.
- Radnaasümbereliin Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian professional footballer who currently plays for Ulaanbaatar City.
- Ts. Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian wrestler who won a gold medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
- Š Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian military officer who served on the Joint General Staff of the Mongolian People's Army in the 1970s.
- Yalt Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian folk singer who is known for her performances of traditional Mongolian songs.
- Amarjargal Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian composer and instrumentalist who created the soundtrack to the popular Soviet film The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed.
- B. Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian Buddhist monk who was part of a delegation that visited Burma to learn more about Buddhism in the late 1940s.
- Narantsatsralt Gerelt-Od: a Mongolian diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the United States from 1991 to 2017.