Surname Gherst - Meaning and Origin
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Gherst: What does the surname Gherst mean?
The last name Gherst is an Anglicized version of the German name Gherhardt. It is derived from the German given name Gerhard, which means “brave” or “strong.” Gherst families originated from Germany and other parts of Central Europe, and the surname has been in recorded use as far back as the 12th century.
The name is found most often in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. A spelling variant, Gerst, is also seen in other countries, such as the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland.
Throughout their history, Gherst families have played a variety of roles in their respective communities, often serving as farmers, soldiers, blacksmiths, and metal smiths. This role as craftsmen and warriors may also be linked to the Gherst family’s association with bravery and strength.
The Gherst name is also associated with many prominent individuals throughout history, including Konrad Gherst, a German engineer; Adam Gherst, a British blacksmith; and Ludwig Gherst, an Austrian diplomat.
The Gherst surname is a reminder of the family’s proud heritage and hardworking spirit. It speaks to all that generations of Ghersts have achieved—inventing, crafting, and soldiering—in order to provide for their families and make their communities flourish. The name is a testament to the Gherst family’s courageous spirit and renowned strength.
Order DNA origin analysisGherst: Where does the name Gherst come from?
The last name Gherst is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the surname is primarily found in Pennsylvania, Texas, California, and Ohio where it is the 222nd, 477th, 1,676th, and 2,313th most common last name, respectively. In Canada, Gherst is predominately located in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Here, the last name ranks as the 760th, 1,996th, and 2,166th most common last name respectively.
The origin of the last name Gherst is German as it is a variant of Gerst, a highest density in west-central Germany, and is derived from the Middle High German “gér” meaning "barley". As a patronymic with the preposition “mar” meaning “at the house, belonged to the house”, the last name referred to someone who lived at or belonged to a house characterized by a patch of barley fields.
Gherst families can also be found throughout Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Asia, and South America where the last name is much less common.
Variations of the surname Gherst
The surname Gherst is most likely an Americanized version of the German surname “Gerscht”. Variations include “Gersch”, “Gerschts”, and “Gerts”. Spelling variants such as Gherst, Ghest, Gherstt, and Ghairst are also used. It is derived from a Middle High German personal name “Gersch”, which was commonly found in old German records. This name is possibly a variant of the word “Gersche” which means a large shrub or dwarf tree.
The Gherst surname may also be linked to the German surname “Griest” which was used in the Middle Ages. This surname derived from the Middle High German word “Griost” which in turn was derived from the old German word “Grios” which means “Old Woman”. This has given rise to the Gherst surname means “Little old woman”.
Variants of the Gherst surname have been found in early records in Poland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. Other related surnames include Ghersted, Gherstedt, Gherscht, and Ghersteed.
The Gherst surname is a common Americanised variation of its original spelling. It can be found in records from the 1600s until the present day. It remains a popular surname in many countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Gherst
- Rachel Gherst: writer and creative director for scores of movies and TV shows.
- Cecil Gherst: a former professional basketball player in the Netherlands.
- John Gherst: a former professional football player in the NFL.
- Chase Gherst: metal musician from Ontario, Canada.
- Tyler Gherst: YouTube influencer and motivational speaker.
- Elizabeth Gherst: an up-and-coming fashion model.
- Maureen Gherst: saved hundreds of lives as a nurse in the war.
- Mindy Gherst: a singer-songwriter.
- Delilah Gherst: a prominent artist and sculptor.
- Peter Gherst: a notable astronomer.
- Brooke Gherst: an award-winning investigative journalist.
- Rose Gherst: a renowned poet and short story author.
- Richard Gherst: an influential music producer.
- Eric Gherst: an acclaimed paleontologist.
- Dan Gherst: an entrepreneur and investor.