Surname Gehricke - Meaning and Origin

Gehricke: What does the surname Gehricke mean?

The last name Gehricke is of German origin. It is derived from the German word "Gehr," meaning hedge or boundary, and "wick," which means town or settlement. Thus, a literal translation of the name Gehricke would be "hedge town."

The surname Gehricke likely originated in an area where there were distinct boundaries between adjacent villages. In the past, hedges would have been an easy way to delineate between land plots and establish clear boundaries. Thus, Gehricke could be a reference to a family that may have originally resided in a town surrounded by a hedge.

The first recorded use of the family name was in the 13th century when a number of early records for the family and its branches were located in German cities and regions. As the centuries passed, immigrants bearing the Gehricke surname eventually spread out and settled in different areas. This included the parts of the world such as the United States, Australia and Canada as well as northern Europe and parts of Asia.

Today, people bearing the Gehricke last name can be found in a wide range of countries and regions, providing some evidence of the expansion of the family over the years. Those bearing the Gehricke name will probably find themselves part of a large and diverse extended family filled with interesting and unique personalities.

Gehricke: Where does the name Gehricke come from?

The last name Gehricke is a rather uncommon name today, primarily found in parts of Germany, Austria and South Africa.

In Germany, Gehricke is primarily found in the west, central and southwest regions, with concentrations in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Hesse. It was a more popular name in former East Germany, where many members of the Gehricke family emigrated from parts of Saxony.

In Austria, Gehricke is primarily found in the west and southern regions of the country, primarily in Vienna. It is also found growing in frequency in more small rural towns throughout Austria.

In South Africa, Gehricke is mostly found in urban areas near Johannesburg, with small pockets throughout the country. It is likely that the name was brought over when Dutch settlers first arrived in South Africa in the early 1700s.

Overall, Gehricke is not a particularly common name today, but can still be found in parts of Germany, Austria and South Africa. It is likely that today’s Gehrickes are distant cousins, tracing their roots back to the same family of immigrants who left Saxony hundreds of years ago.

Variations of the surname Gehricke

The Gehricke surname can have various spellings based on variations in dialect and spelling conventions over time.

The most common variants are Gehrke, Gericke, Gerrke, Gerke, Gercken, Gercke, and Gerick, while other variations include Gierke, Gehrk, Gehrcken, Gerrick, Geerke, Gehrken, and Gehrck.

These alternate spellings often indicate a specific origin of the surname, such as Prussian, Danish, Dutch, Frisian, or Saxon roots. In addition, surnames such as Gewrigke and Gerwig contain the Gehricke root, as do derivatives such as Gehrmann and Gehrig.

The surname can also take on surname surnames – such as Herr Gehrke, or "Mister Gehrke” – as differences in language and spelling conventions make it difficult for researchers to properly link the original and variant surnames.

Gehricke is also an popular Austrian family name, specifically common in the Lower Austria region. A person of this name from the Upper Austria region would likely go by Gehrke.

The Gehrke spelling can even denote a geographic difference. For instance, it may indicate that a person of the surname is of Dutch or Danish origin, while Gericke could mean a person is of Saxon descent.人

It’s also important to note that many Gehricke surnames are linked to Jewish ancestry. Jewish families often adopted surnames based on places near their homes or faith; therefore the name “Gehricke” may be associated with communities in Germany, Austria, and across Europe.

Famous people with the name Gehricke

• Fabiano Gehricke: German national who went missing at the age of five in 2015.
• Kim Gehricke: American bodybuilder, athlete, and fitness model.
• Matt Gehricke: Professional football player for the Detroit Lions who played from 2002 to 2004.
• Hans-Jürgen Gehricke:Former German footballer and manager who captained the German Under-21 national team in the 1970's.
• Pat Gehricke: Professional US basketball player in the 1980's.
• Angela Gehricke: German equestrian rider who won an Olympic silver medal in Equestrian Dressage in 2000.
• Dieter Gehricke: German discus thrower who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• John P. Gehricke: American politician who served in the US House of Representatives from 1923 to 1933.
• Terry Gehricke: Australian Saxophone and classical music player.
• Mike Gehricke: American actor who has appeared in television shows such as NCIS and Hawaii Five-0.

Other surnames

Gehrich