Surname Gehroldt - Meaning and Origin

Gehroldt: What does the surname Gehroldt mean?

The last name Gehroldt is a German surname, with the earliest records of the name appearing in Germany around the 16th century. The name originates from the old German words "Gehard", meaning brave or strong, and the old German word "Holtz" meaning wood or forest. Together, the two words formed the surname Gehroldt, which literally translates to mean "strong wood".

Throughout the 16th century, many families with the last name Gehroldt lived throughout Germany in forested regions. It is thought that these families established themselves in these areas to take advantage of the natural resources, such as wood, and to possibly provide shelter to the nobility which roamed the countryside. Alternatively, some believe that the surname Gehroldt was adopted by those who ventured into the forests, possibly to hunt or find refuge.

Since these early beginnings, the last name Gehroldt has spread throughout Germany and beyond, and it is thought to be found in various countries around the world. In modern times, the strength and courage of the Gehroldt name is still held in a very important regard, with some members of the family reaching high levels of success in a variety of fields.

Gehroldt: Where does the name Gehroldt come from?

The surname Gehroldt is most commonly found in Germany and, to a lesser extent, other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. Research has shown there are still clusters of people with the surname living in regions of southern Germany, the Dutch-German border region, and parts of Poland.

Gehroldt is an uncommon surname overall, despite the fact that it has been present in German-speaking regions for centuries. It appears to have first been established as a hereditary surname in the 14th century. Back then, due to the frequent movement of people around the region, it may have been possible for small populations to retain the surname even when some of its members moved away.

The use of the surname Gehroldt today deviates somewhat from that of medieval times. Today it can be found transcribed in many spellings, such as Gerhold and Gehrhardt. Additionally, in recent decades, the surname has spread to other parts of Europe, such as Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. It has also become more prominent in the United States and, to a lesser degree, Canada and Australia. Last name studies also suggest that the surname is most common in rural areas, which could further explain why it remains relatively uncommon in many regions of the world.

Variations of the surname Gehroldt

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gehroldt are: Gerholdt, Gerholt, Gehrold, Gerhold, Garholdt, Garholt, Gerhald, Gerhalt and Gerhold. All of these names are derived from the Germanic language and have the same meaning of a "bold spearman".

The original form of the name was Gerholt, which was derived from the Germanic words 'geri', meaning 'spear', and 'hold', meaning 'bold'. This name likely referred to someone who was brave in battle or a skilled warrior. Over time the spelling of the name changed to various forms of the same origin, such as Gerhald, Gerhalt, Garhold and Gerhold.

The spelling of the surname Gehroldt appears to have been established relatively recently, appearing in records from the 18th century onward. It is not clear if this name is derived from any other form of the same origin or was a new form of the name established via other means.

The variants for Gehroldt are often found in records from various parts of Germany and Europe. They are also common in Germany and Austria, as the spelling of the name changed in different regions over time.

The surname Gehroldt is also found in the US, primarily among immigrants from Germany and other European countries. This likely indicates that the name was carried over to the US by families who emigrated in the 19th century.

Famous people with the name Gehroldt

• Robert Gehrhardt: Robert Gehrhardt is a professional Classical and Flamenco guitarist from Germany. He released multiple albums and has played across Europe.
• Günther Gehrhardt: Günther Gehrhardt is a multi-media artist best known for incorporating photography or found objects into his oil paintings. Gehrhardt is based in Germany and is a professor at HAWK Hildesheim university.
• Susan Gehrhardt: Susan Gehrhardt is a German artist. She is known for her use of traditional materials as well as unconventional techniques such as welding and burning.
• Heinz Gehrhardt: Heinz Gehrhardt is a German industrial designer and professor of Process Engineering. He specializes in plant construction and process engineering, and has designed many successful plants and factories.
• Sebastian Gehrhardt: Sebastian Gehrhardt is a popular German actor. He’s had featured roles on such shows as Kommissarin Lupo and had leading roles in films such as Under The Huzzards and We Were All Like Brothers.
• Regine Gehrhardt: Regine Gehrhardt is a German vocalist and singer-songwriter. She has released multiple solo albums and has been featured on several compilations. Gehrhardt is also active in social media.
• Philipp Gehrhardt: Philipp Gehrhardt is a German lecturer and philosopher, who received his PhD in Philosophy at the Free University of Berlin in 2002. He Lectures in philosophy of science and Islamic philosophy.
• Dieter Gehrhardt: Dieter Gehrhardt is a German business executive, who served as Chief of Recruiting Officer at IBM. He has also served in numerous managerial positions, including at SAP and Siemens.
• Heinrich Gehrhardt: Heinrich Gehrhardt was a German missionary who worked for the London Missionary Society in Ethiopia in the late 19th and early 20th century. He is known for writing about his experiences in the country.
• Martin Gehrhardt: Martin Gehrhardt is a German professional cross-country mountain biker. He won the German National Championships in 2009 and 2010 as well as the World Cup in 2010.

Other surnames

Gehrold