Surname Gephardy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gephardy: What does the surname Gephardy mean?
The last name Gephardy is of German origin, meaning "strong defender of peace". It is derived from two German words, "gephard" meaning strong and "hardie" meaning peace.
The Gephardy name is believed to have began in the Middle Ages, through the Old German phrase “gafarhardar” – which translates to “spear handy” or “spear strong”. These families were loyal warriors, who would guard things or places important to them, often through violence.
The reputation of the Gephardy family was of being stoic and determined, and they were often found as heads of their households or as advisors to local rulers. The original spelling of the name was “Gephard”, but over time it evolved to “Gephardy”.
The Gephardys often settled in different regions in Europe, and today they can be found throughout Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In the modern age, the Gephardy name is more associated with peaceful living, as members of the Gephardy family found across the continent are known for their business and industry successes. Many of the noteworthy Gephardys today are entrepreneurs, politicians, and businesspeople.
The legacy of the Gephardy name - from warriors of the Middle Ages to the calm and successful men and women of the modern era - stands as a symbol of strength, determination, and peaceful living.
Order DNA origin analysisGephardy: Where does the name Gephardy come from?
The surname Gephardy is most commonly found in France. While the name is lesser-known in the US, there are small pockets of people with this surname scattered throughout the country, from New York to California. The Gephardy surname is of German origin, and is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name "Gepert," which means "bold spear." The personal name is believed to have been in use since the 10th century, and was most common in areas of Germany from which French immigration took place in the 16th century.
When searching for people with the Gephardy surname, France is the first and best place to look, particularly in the northerly regions. French records indicate the name has its greatest concentration in Basse-Normandie, just northwest of Paris. Records show a large concentration of people with this name concentrated in small pockets of Basse-Normandie near Mayenne and Boulogne, as well as other small towns in the area.
Today, the U.S. is home to a small but growing population of people with the Gephardy surname. The name is particularly common in California, particularly around the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas. Other states with larger concentrations of the name include New York and Washington. However, due to the high rate of immigration from France to the US, even these states only contain a small number of people with the name.
Overall, the surname Gephardy is most commonly seen in France, particularly the region of Basse-Normandie. Although the U.S. has a small population of people with the name, the surname is still largely concentrated in France, where the family has its origins.
Variations of the surname Gephardy
The surname Gephardy is a variant of the German surname Gepfert or Geffert. Its other variants are Gefert, Gebert, Gebert, Gefelt, Gefert, Gepfart, Gepfert, Gepfirt, Gepfort, Gepforte, Gepfurde and Gepadte. It is also spelled as Gephardt, Gebhardt, Gebhard, Gehbhardt, Gehbhard, Gahburt,Gahbhard and Gebsert.
Gephardy comes from the German word “giphart,” which means brave or strong. It is a variant of the Middle High German word "ge(l)phart," which in turn is derived from the Old High German "gispert" meaning vigor or strength. The alternate spelling “Gebhard” comes from the Middle High German “gebirt” supplementing with the prefix “gib-” and refers always to a brave man.
The Gephardy surname may be a variant of different family branches, such as Gepfert, Gebhardt, Gahburd, Gahburt, Gahbhard, and Gebsert. Furthermore, it may be derived from the Lombardic family of the same name, which has a connection with noble families of the Middle Ages.
In the United States, Gephardy is usually found among families of German and Swiss descent. It is also sometimes used as a mispelling of Gephart, which is a common American spelling for the same surname.
Overall, Gephardy is a variant of the surname Gepfert or Geffert and its other variants are Gefert, Gebert, Gefelt, Gefert, Gepfart, Gepfert, Gepfirt, Gepfort, Gepforte, Gepfurde and Gepadte, spellings such as Gephardt, Gebhardt, Gebhard, Gehbhardt, Gehbhard, Gahburt, Gahbhard and Gebsert. It is derived from the German words "giphart," meaning brave or strong, and “gebirt,” supplementing with the prefix “gib-” and refers always to a brave man. It is most commonly found among families of German and Swiss descent in the United States.
Famous people with the name Gephardy
- Ryan Gephardt: American songwriter and musician.
- Laura Gephardt: American actress, singer, and dancer.
- Tom Gephardt: former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher.
- Luc Gephardt: French entrepreneur and venture capitalist.
- Jo Gephardt: British journalist and author.
- Emily Gephardt: American film actress and producer.
- Brad Gephardt: Founder and CEO of Gephardt Financial Group.
- Henry Gephardt: American politician and former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts.
- Patrick Gephardt: American actor, composer, musician and screenwriter.
- Anthony Gephardt: Canadian author, filmmaker and musician.