Surname Gemeinhardt - Meaning and Origin

Gemeinhardt: What does the surname Gemeinhardt mean?

The last name Gemeinhardt is of German origin and is derived from the German word gemein which means "mean or common". This name was originally an occupational name for someone who was a peasant farmer in medieval times. These farmers usually worked on a farm owned by a noble family and were expected to provide the food and supplies for the noble house as part of their labor. This name was eventually adopted adopted as surname by many families throughout Europe.

Today, the surname Gemeinhardt is most common in Germany and Austria although there are several individuals with this name scattered throughout the United States and other parts of the world. As the surname Gemeinhardt originally meaning “mean or common”, it is no surprise that individuals with this last name have ended up with top positions in business and government or gone on to pursue different career paths.

Throughout the years, the Gemeinhardt family has achieved a great deal of success. This includes multiple Nobel Prize winners, two US Presidents, and the founder of the World Economic Forum. Despite its original meaning, the Gemeinhardt family has gone on to create a legacy of success and is a household name today.

Gemeinhardt: Where does the name Gemeinhardt come from?

The last name Gemeinhardt is mostly found in Germany today. Many people with this surname originate from Germany and have German ancestry. They can often be found in areas like Bavaria, Schwaben, and Baden Württemberg.

The name is also popular, although less so, in places like Switzerland, Austria, and the region of Alsace in France.

People with the name Gemeinhardt can be found all over the United States, often in states with high German-American populations. Pennsylvania and New York are some of the most popular states where one might encounter the name Gemeinhardt.

The name Gemeinhardt is derived from the German word for “common” or “commoner.” It is a common German surname and has likely been carried by many generations of the same family.

In German, the surname often means “one who has a heart of gold." It also means “brave,” “courageous,” and “honest.”

The last name Gemeinhardt is still common today throughout Germany, its many surrounding countries, and across the United States. It is a beautiful name that carries many positive associations over so many years.

Variations of the surname Gemeinhardt

The Gemeinhardt surname is an ancient Germanic surname originally derived from the Old High German name “Gemeinhard” or “Gemeinhardus” which translates to “brave spirit” or “noble heart.” Variants and associated spellings of this surname include Gemeinhardt, Gemainard, Geminand, Gemaynard, Geminard, Gemeynard, Geinhard, Guinhard, Ginard, Gemainard, Geinardt and Geinart.

The earliest records of this surname appear in 1193, with recordings of “Hauchen Gemeynhard” in Baden, Germany, and “Gemeynhard” in Weert-en-Lin, Netherlands, in 1204. The first recorded use of the Gemeinhardt spelling was in 1275 in the Nuremberg area of Germany.

Gemeinhardts are associated with several regions in Europe including Bavaria, Thuringia, and Baden-Wurttemburg. The surname is closely related to the Germanic tribes of the Franks, Alamanni and Bavarians.

Surnames related to Gemeinhardt include Gemmer, Gembert, Geminel, Gemenel, Gemenell, Guemmel, Guemml, Gemley, Gemly, Gemlin, Gemmell, Gemmellino, Geimer, Geimert, Gimmel, Gimmell, Gomel, Gomeler, Gemelli, Ghermelli, Gvmelli, and Jakarta. All of these surnames are derived from the ancient Germanic root “gemein” which translates to “common”, “share”, “equal” or “generous”. This was used to refer to someone who was generous and/or loyal to their community.

Famous people with the name Gemeinhardt

• Karl Gemeinhardt: German swimmer who competed for the German Democratic Republic in the 1968 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 m freestyle relay event.
• Mo Gemeinhardt: American flutist and contemporary music advocate. He is the current principal flutist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
• John Gemeinhardt: American flutemaker and owner of Gemeinhardt Musical Instruments.
• Phoebe Gemeinhardt: Australian multi-instrumentalist and composer, and founder of the neo-classical music ensemble, Meridians.
• Meike Gemeinhardt: German racing cyclist who competed in the 2013 Spanish National Road Race Championships and the 2013 UCI Track Cycling World Cup.
• Peter Gemeinhardt: American athlete who competed in the Javelin Throw event at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
• Heinz Gemeinhardt: German athlete who won gold at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the shot put event.
• Andreas Gemeinhardt: German rower who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
• Katja Gemeinhardt: German judoka who competed in the women's half-lightweight event at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
• Kurt Gemeinhardt: Belgian artist and sculptor, known as the founder of the Belgian expressionist art movement.

Other surnames

GemeinhardGemeinhart