Surname Gelker - Meaning and Origin

Gelker: What does the surname Gelker mean?

The last name Gelker is most likely of German origin, derived from the German word Gelker, which means ‘jester’ or ‘comedian’. The surname may have originated from a family of court jesters, or its bearers may have been known to have a jovial and comedic disposition. It is uncertain whether the name was also taken on in accordance with a particular occupation, or if it was merely adopted by a family who had a humorous streak.

The spelling of this name may have varied, with modern versions appearing as Gelker, Gelsek, Gelsker, Gelske, Gelcken, Gelcon, Gellek, Gellker, Gellcken and other related spellings. Over the centuries, those bearing the name of Gelker may have been found mainly in parts of Germany.

Today, it can be found amongst immigrant families to many English-speaking countries, such as Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Examples of these can be found in various records, such as military and census records.

The Gelker last name is relatively uncommon today, but it still carries many associations of a family with a strong sense of humor and playfulness, as well as the suggestion of a good-natured character.

Gelker: Where does the name Gelker come from?

The last name Gelker is most common today in Germany, especially in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. According to the most recent data, the name can be found at the greatest frequency in those two states. It is also common in other European countries, particularly those to the east of Germany, such as the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine.

In North America, the surname is much less common; it ranks within the 100,000 most frequent last names in the United States and Canada. Most Americans and Canadians with this last name are descended from immigrants from Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria, who arrived in the 1880's and 1890's.

In Australia, Gelker is not particularly common. According to the latest estimates, it ranks around the 240,000th-most frequent surname. Most of the Gelkers living in Australia are probably descendants of immigrants from European countries.

One famous bearer of the surname Gelker was the Austrian composer and conductor Johann Gelker (1822-1909).

Variations of the surname Gelker

Gelker is a surname of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is a variant of the German and Yiddish name Geller or Goller, which is derived from the Middle High German word "gella," meaning noise or outcry. Other variants and spellings include Goeller, Galler, Galer, Galor, Gular, Geller, Geuler, Geulker and Galkin.

In addition to the German and Ashkenazic variants, there are some derivative names based on the same root. For instance, an English spelling of "Gelker" is Jelks, which is found in the United States, and a Dutch spelling is Geelkerken.

Additionally, Gelker is also the Jewish form of the Polish and Czech surname Giełka. This name is derived from the Czech word "jelky," which means alder tree. The surnames Gellok, Giełkowiski and Giełkowski are all derived from this root too.

The variants of Gelker could sometimes lead to confusion. For example, there is a surname Galkow which is of German origin and completely unrelated to the other surnames. Similarly, there is a surname Gelkop which is of Dutch origin, and not related to the others.

Overall, Gelker is an ancient surname of German, Jewish and other European origins. Its variants and derivative names are useful in tracing a family's historical roots and understanding the origins of its members.

Famous people with the name Gelker

• Michael Gelker: German athlete, winner of the 1200 M World Cup in 1984.
• Oleg Gelker: former hockey player and now a coach for the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League (NHL).
• Johann Gelker: renowned German artist and sculptor, known for his sculpture of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Monument in Washington D.C.
• Elissa Gelker: an Israeli singer and songwriter.
• David Gelker: a professional musician, originally from Germany, now based in the United States.
• Thomas Gelker: an American computer scientist and executive at Microsoft.
• Konstantin Gelker: a Russian actor and director who appeared in many popular films.
• Alexander Gelker: a Russian politician and economist who served as a member of the Soviet Politburo.
• Mark Gelker: an American investment banker and founder of the Gelker Group.
• Benno Gelker: a German zoologist and academic, known for his work on the social behavior of birds.

Other surnames

Gelke