Surname Gerhold - Meaning and Origin
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Gerhold: What does the surname Gerhold mean?
The last name Gerhold is a German surname that originated in Northern Germany. It is derived from the German elements ger, meaning "spear," and hold, meaning "kind," making the literal meaning of the name “spear kind.” It likely served to denote a warrior.
In medieval times, people often took on surnames signifying their occupation. This may indicate that the original Gerholds were warriors or belonged to a warrior family. It is also possible that the surname was given to someone of noble or high social standing who had demonstrated great bravery in battle.
The surname Gerhold may have also been derived from the Middle High German geril, which denoted either a spear or a club. It could, therefore, have also been used to denote someone who wielded spears or clubs with great proficiency.
The surname Gerhold appears in many old German church and town records. The original spelling was often changed over the years as language and dialects changed. However, in modern times it is almost exclusively spelled Gerhold.
Today, the surname Gerhold continues to be widely distributed all over Europe, with its highest numbers appearing in Deutschland. It is also common in the United States, where it is among the top 5,000 surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisGerhold: Where does the name Gerhold come from?
The last name Gerhold is most commonly found in parts of Germany, particularly in the state of Hesse. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Luxembourg, and other parts of the world, including the United States, where it has spread with immigrants from Germany. The most frequently reported areas of settlement for those with the surname in Germany are the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. It is believed that the earliest occurrences of this surname come from the village of Georgenthal, which is situated in the north of Hesse.
The surname Gerhold is believed to have first arisen in the Middle Ages, when a person was identified by the name of their father or ancestor. This is known as a patronymic surname, which is a form of hereditary surname used in many countries, including Germany. In this form of naming, it is thought that the name “Gerhold” comes from the personal name “Gerhard” or “Gerhart”, derived from the Old Germanic elements “ger” meaning spear, and “hard”, meaning brave or hardy.
Today, the Gerhold surname is most common in the state of Hesse, especially in the northern part of the region. However, individuals with this name are also found in other German states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. Outside of Germany, the surname is also commonly found in the United States, particularly among families with German ancestors who immigrated to the country in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In conclusion, the Gerhold surname is most common in Germany, particularly in the northern region of Hesse. However, it has also spread to other European countries and the United States with German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Gerhold
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gerhold include Geerhold, Gearhold, Gierhold, Gerholt, Gerlach, Garhold, Garholdt, Garloe, Garlock, Gierlach, Ghirardi, Kerhold, and Kirlach.
The Gerhold surname has multiple origins. It may be of German origin, derived from the Germanic words “ger”, meaning “spear”, and “hold”, meaning “one who uses a spear”, making it a metonymic occupational name for a warrior. It could also be a Dutch or Northern German topographical name for someone who lived by a grove of trees.
In some cases, the Gerhold surname may have evolved from the ancient German name Ehrenhold or Ehrenfels, meaning “honor” and “rock” respectively. This may have been Anglicized to Ara Hold/Garhold or Garrhold.
Spelling variants of the Gerhold surname include Geerhold, Gearhold, Gierhold, Gerholt, and Gierlach. An alternate spelling of the surname is Garhold, and its variants are Garholdt, Garloe, Garlock, and Kirlach. Other names deriving from the Gerhold surname may include Kerhold and Ghirardi.
The Gerhold surname is common in both Germany and the United States. It is believed to have been introduced to the US by German settlers who arrived in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
In conclusion, the Gerhold surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin that have been spelled differently over time. These variants include Geerhold, Gearhold, Gierhold, Gerholt, Gerlach, Garhold, Garholdt, Garloe, Garlock, Gierlach, Ghirardi, Kerhold, and Kirlach. The Gerhold surname has multiple origins and was likely introduced to the US by German settlers.
Famous people with the name Gerhold
- Ryan Gerhold: an American hockey player currently playing in the AHL for the Colorado Eagles.
- Carol Anne Gerhold: an American author and professional speaker who produces educational materials on parenting and self-improvement.
- Daniel Gerhold: a German stage and film actor who is known for his work in role-playing TV series such as Vampire State Building or Die Moorsoldaten.
- Emma Gerhold: a German stage actress who has been seen in a variety of films and television shows.
- Gerrie Gerhold: a Dutch entrepreneur and former tennis coach who currently serves as an advisor and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Jan Gerhold: a German record producer and musicologist who has worked with a variety of contemporary and classical musicians.
- Johann Gerhold: a German theologian and author best known for his work on the history of the Lutheran church.
- Linda Gerhold: an American actress who is active in theater and has been seen in productions such as Cabaret and Rent.
- Viktor Gerhold: a German composer, pianist, and writer who has written works for the piano, chamber music, and musical theater.
- Lucie Gerhold: a Czech physician and one of the earliest female doctors in the country. Her work as a medical practitioner played a major role in the advancement of medicine in the region.