Surname Girhard - Meaning and Origin
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Girhard: What does the surname Girhard mean?
The last name Girhard is believed to be of German origins, specifically hailing from northern Germany. It is thought to have its origins in the name Gerhard, derived from the old Germanic elements of ger, meaning 'spear' and hard, meaning 'brave'. The name as a whole is thought to mean 'spear brave', or 'brave with a spear', lending an impression of strength and boldness.
In the middle ages, some of the earliest recorded bearers of the Girhard surname were nobles from Northern Germany. This name spread to other German states, such as Prussia and the Palatine states, during the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, due to the increased political and economic instability in Germany, many members of the Girhard family emigrated to other countries.
Today, the Girhard surname is found all over the world, ranging from Europe to the Americas, as well as throughout Asia. Although it is not particularly common, it is estimated there are over 5,000 people living with the Girhard surname across the globe.
The word 'girhard' can also be seen as a reference to the strong spirit of a proud bird. This is often seen as a symbol of courage, power, and determination, which has been historically associated with the name's bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisGirhard: Where does the name Girhard come from?
The last name Girhard is most commonly found in countries with German-speaking populations, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Because many German-speaking immigrants settled in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Girhard surname can also be found in parts of North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In the United States, the states with the highest concentration of people with the Girhard surname are Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The largest number of Girhard surnames are located in the northwest corner of Ohio, around the cities of Toledo and Cleveland. These states are known for having a strong German-American heritage, and it is in these states that the surname is most commonly found.
In Germany, the states with the highest concentration of people with the Girhard surname are Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. These states are historically known for their strong connection to Germany’s cultural heritage. The cities of Nuremberg and Stuttgart are particularly notable for their large German-speaking populations.
The Girhard surname can also be found in numerous other countries with strong German connections. For instance, it can be found in Denmark, Australia, and South Africa. The name can even be found in regions that do not have a significant German-speaking population, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Overall, the Girhard surname is quite a widespread and common name. Its presence in numerous countries around the world shows how important German-speaking immigrants have been to the spread of the name throughout history.
Variations of the surname Girhard
Girhard is a German surname which is derived from the German name Gerhard.Variants of this surname include Geirhard, Gerhard, Gerhardt, Girard, Girardo, Girardon, Girarrd, Girardot, Girardin, Girod, Giraud, Girault, Jarard, Jaratt and Girhardo.
Girhard is an ancient Germanic name composed of the elements ger, meaning ‘spear’ and hard, meaning ‘brave’ or ‘hardy’. Variations on the spelling of the name Girhard include Gerhard, Garhard, Girhart, Gerhart, Girhart, Geirhart, Jirhard, Gyrhard, Gerhards, Girhards, Gerards, Girards, Jarrards, Girardust, Jarhard, Gierhard, Girharil, Girarion, and Girart.
Girhard is most common German surname in the former states of Austria, and is also found surrounding the German states of Bavaria and Saxony. This surname is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, England, Switzerland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Bermuda, and in some other European countries.
Spelling variants of this surname include Gerhard, Geirhard, Gerhardt, Girard, Girardo, Girardon, Girarrd,Girardot, Girardin, Girod, Giraud, Girault, Jarard, Jaratt, and Girhardo. There are also some variants of Girhards which are not related to the main surname, such as Gerhart, Girhart, and Geirhart.
Famous people with the name Girhard
- Wolfgang Giehrl: Austrian professional footballer.
- Jean-Claude Girhard: French political figure.
- Nadine Girhard: Austrian Olympic athlete.
- Leon Girhard: Austrian actor and voice actor.
- Richard Girhard: German Olympic ice hockey player.
- Robert Girhard: Austrian Revue artist.
- Wilhelm Girhard: German military musician.
- Helmut Girhard: Austrian bobsledder.
- Franz Girhard: Austrian ski jumper.
- Kurt Girhard: Austrian cross-country skier.
- Eugen Girhard: German Roman Catholic priest and historian.
- Torsten Girhard: German conducting and composition professor.
- Gerald Girhard: American author.
- Brigitte Girhard: French sprinter.
- Alfred Girhard: Austrian figure skater.
- Rosina Girhard: German author.
- Alexander Girhard: Austrian operatic tenor.
- Jefim Girhard: Russian socialist revolutionary.
- Werner Girhard: German figurative painter.
- Leo Girhard: Czech-Austrian painter.