Surname Gerlach - Meaning and Origin

Gerlach: What does the surname Gerlach mean?

The Germanic surname Gerlach is derived from the Old High German name Gerloh, meaning ‘spear’. It is thought to have originally been a nickname given to someone with a spear-like shape. The name is also found in Slovenia and other Eastern European countries, and variants of it exist in many other countries, including Poland.

In early records, the name is found in many different forms, including Gerlec, Kloytz Gerlach and Gerlacht. It has also been anglicised in some cases to Germann.

The Gerlach name has been associated with nobility and was seen as a sign of prestige, particularly in Bavaria and Austria where it was very common. This is reflected in historical documents, where members of the name Gerlach were often given high-ranking positions in government or were made imperial councillors.

Today, people with the Gerlach name are found throughout the world. In the United States, the name is most common in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. In Germany, the largest concentration of people with the Gerlach name is located in Bavaria.

The Gerlach name can be seen as a symbol of ambition and nobility by those who bear it. Its association with some of the most distinguished members of society has cemented its status as an indicator of success.

Gerlach: Where does the name Gerlach come from?

The surname Gerlach is a German-origin name. Its literal meaning in German is “spearman”. It is most common today in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries in central and eastern Europe, where it was first adopted as a surname centuries ago. The surname is also found in countries such as Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland, where German-speakers migrated in waves throughout the twentieth century. It has also spread to the United States, Canada, and other countries as a result of large-scale German-speaking immigration during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

In Germany, the Gerlach surname is found primarily in the western states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and Hesse. It can also be found in Berlin, the capital city. In Austria, the name is most prevalent in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Tyrol. The Gerlach surname is also relatively common in metropolitan areas of Switzerland, such as Zurich, Basel, and Lucerne. In the U.S., Gerlach families can be found mainly in larger cities, such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It is also found in parts of Canada, primarily in Ontario and Quebec.

Overall, Gerlach remains a relatively uncommon surname, representing just 0.009% of all surnames worldwide. This means that individuals with this surname likely share an ancestor who lived centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Gerlach

The surname Gerlach is a Germanic name derived from a geographical location. It is an occupational surname, as it denotes a person who lived or worked at a gerlach, which is the highest hill or mountain within an area. As such, the surname originated from those who lived near these landmarks. Variants of the surname Gerlach include Garlech, Garlek, Garlich, Garlich, Gherolech, Gelach, Gerla, Gerlech,Jarlach, Jarloch, Jarllach, and Jarlo.

Spellings of the surname Gerlach are more varied and include Garlech, Gerlack, Gerrlech, Gerrlich, Garalach, Garlach, Garlock, Garlick, Garloch, Garlo, Gerlaach, Gerleck, Gerleck, Girlech, Girlich, Gorlach, Karlech, Karlick, Karloch, Karlo, and Korolech.

Surnames of the same origin as Gerlach include Garlock, Garlo, Garloch, Gerloff, Garleff, Garleff, and Garloof. These surnames likely originated with those who moved from a small area near a Gerlach landmark and took on a slightly different variation of the name.

Overall, the surname Gerlach is quite diverse, as it includes many variations, spellings, and related surnames. Its origins as an occupational name denote a rich history of people who lived in areas surrounded by geographical landmarks, contributing to the diversity of this surname.

Famous people with the name Gerlach

• Bernhard Gerlach; German-born American movie producer, screenwriter, finance chairman, and philanthropist.
• Conrad Gerlach; American entrepreneur, founder of The Gerlach Companies.
• Davide Gerlach; German author, photographer, and journalist.
• Erik Gerlach; German-Canadian sculptor and installation artist.
• George Gerlach; American basketball coach.
• Gregor Gerlach; German Olympic gold medalist in sailing.
• Hannah Gerlach; Canadian beach volleyball player.
• Helen Gerlach; American poet, professor at Cedar Crest College.
• Henning Gerlach; German former professional football player.
• Henry Gerlach; German novelist and short story writer.
• John Gerlach; American Jesuit priest and translator.
• Karel Gerlach; Dutch photographer, ceasefire documenter.
• Kay Gerlach; American basketball coach.
• Louis Gerlach; American football coach.
• Manfred Gerlach; German cinematographer and film director.
• Marc Gerlach; German contemporary artist.
• Marlene Gerlach; German actress, singer, and voice artist.
• Nils Gerlach; German Olympic cyclist.
• Oliver Gerlach; German politician and former Member of Parliament.
• Robert Gerlach; German jockey and Olympic gold medalist.
• Roger Gerlach; American educational administrator and emeritus professor at Indiana University.
• Susan Gerlach; American architect and sculptor.
• Volker Gerlach; German academic, historian, and philologist.
• Walter Gerlach; German physicist and Nobel Prize laureate.
• Werner Gerlach; German military officer during World War II.

Other surnames

Gerlacher