Surname Gehrlich - Meaning and Origin

Gehrlich: What does the surname Gehrlich mean?

The last name Gehrlich has a long history dating back to a 12th Century Germanic origin. The name is derived from the German word 'geher', meaning 'spearman'. Gehrlich was originally an occupational name used to identify people who made or used spears and arrows.

Gehrlich is a popular surname in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It can also be seen scattered throughout the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. The most popular variant of the name is Gerlich, with Gerlichmann being the most common spelling.

As a result of immigration to the United States, the surname Gehrlich can also be found scattered throughout the US. The first known use of the name in the US was in 1722, when a debater with the surname Gehrlich was mentioned in a newspaper in Philadelphia.

The Gehrlich family name is most commonly found in Saxony, a region in East Germany. Today, people with the Gehrlich surname are influential in many parts of German society, with many in business and politics.

Whether you are researching your family history or looking to connect with your German heritage, the Gehrlich surname is sure to have an interesting story to tell.

Gehrlich: Where does the name Gehrlich come from?

The last name Gehrlich is fairly common in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also present in other European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Russia, as well as South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

In Germany, the Gehrlich surname is among the thousand most common German family names, and it has been recorded in records since the 13th century. The city of Görlitz in Saxony traces its origin back to the family name Gehrlich, which is derived from the Middle High German word for “Gor”, a ruble or a type of coin, indicating a probable familial connection to a moneylender or merchant.

In the United States, the Gehrlich surname is most popular in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and California. The earliest known record of the family in the states dates back to 1736 when Lazarus Gehrlich arrived in America from Germany. The Gehrlich family was among the earliest wave of immigrants from Germany and by the mid-19th century, the family had spread across the US.

Today the Gehrlich name is still present in many parts of the world, a testament to its nearly 800-year-old history and its extensive migratory journey.

Variations of the surname Gehrlich

The surname Gehrlich is a Germanic toponymic surname derived from the word "Gehr" meaning "forest". Variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin for Gehrlich are Gehrer, Gerlich, Garlich, Garlech, Garlek, Garlek, Garleck, Gehrlick, and Gehrels among several others.

Gehrer is one of the variants of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from the Middle High German word “Gehrer” which means “a person living in a forest”. It is a toponymic surname, originated from an area of dense forest. It is found mainly in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Gerlich is another variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from a Middle High German word “Gero” which means “forest”. The surname was used to identify persons who lived in the forest or owned a piece of land in the forest. It is more commonly found in Poland, Germany, Austria, and other Germanic-speaking countries.

Garlich is a variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from a Middle High German word “Garlech” which means “a person living near a bush”. It is a toponymic surname given to a person who owned or lived near a bush or thicket. It is predominantly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Garlech is another variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from the Middle High German word “Garlech” which means “a forest clearing”. It is a toponymic surname given to a person who owned or lived in a clearing in the forest. It is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Garlek is a variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from a Middle High German word “Garlek” which means “an open part of a forest”. It is a toponymic surname given to a person who owned or lived near an open part of the forest. It is mainly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Garleck is a variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from the Middle High German word “Garleck”, which means “a person living in a clearing in the forest”. It is a toponymic surname given to a person who owned or lived in a clearing in the forest. It is mainly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Gehrlick is a variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from the Middle High German words “Gehr” which means “forest”, and “nick” which means “person”. It is a toponymic surname given to a person who owned or lived near a forest. It is primarily found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Gehrels is a variant of the German surname Gehrlich, derived from the Middle High German words “Gehr” which means “forest”, and “els” which means “resident”. It is a toponymic surname given to a person who lived in or near a forest. It is mostly found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking countries.

Famous people with the name Gehrlich

• David Gehrlich: He is an American-German actor best known for his work in the 2006 short comedy movie Monday 216, the 2009 TV movie ‘It’s Complicated’ and the 2011 German film Out of the Darkness. He has also had smaller roles in other films and TV series such as Chase, Nurse Jackie, and Homeland.
• Sarah Gehrlich: She is an American actress best known for her roles in Rock of Ages and Greed. Other films she has appeared in include Little Foxes and The Fate of the Furious.
• Ludwig Gehrlich: Ludwig was a Swiss landscape painter known for his large-scale, realistic paintings of the Swiss Alps. He was a member of the Association of Swiss Painters and graphic designers.
• Johann Ludwig Gehrlich: Johann was a German organist and composer who wrote a great volume of organ music and works for choral and orchestral performance.
• Johnny Gehrlich: Johnny is an American music producer and artist best known for producing Viola, the title track of Beyoncé’s 2020 HBO max documentary. He has also worked with big names in music such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Usher, and Pharrell Williams.
• Hans Gehrlich: Hans is an Austrian footballer who currently plays for SCR Altach. He has a prolific career in European leagues, playing for over 11 teams over the past decade.
• Tim Gehrlich: Tim is a German footballer who currently plays for Hannover 96 in the 2. Bundesliga. He is a highly rated prospect in European football with potential to reach higher-level clubs.

Other surnames

GehrlicherGehrling