Surname Gerhardi - Meaning and Origin
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Gerhardi: What does the surname Gerhardi mean?
The last name Gerhardi is of German origin, derived from the German personal name "Gerhard" meaning "brave with a spear". It is often found in the German state of Bavaria, as well as Austria and Hungary. The earliest occurrence of the surname was in 1217 when a Gerhard of Ulm was mentioned in a document.
In the Middle Ages, Gerhardi was often a surname given to soldiers in the army, and possibly even mercenaries. It may also have been chosen as a last name for those with a strong physical presence or martial prowess, as this is the image the name initially alluded to.
Modernly, the meaning of the surname is less related to its original connotations, and has been used more as a way to pass down the surname from generation to generation. It is also suggested that the name gained more notoriety in the 1600s due to the cultural expansion of the Habsburgs.
Whatever the origin of the name may be, people with the surname Gerhardi have been seen over the centuries to have strong personalities and to be fiercely independent. They are often hardworking and never shy away from a challenge. In a broad sense, the name Gerhardi can be interpreted as standing for strength, determination, courage, and the will to succeed.
Order DNA origin analysisGerhardi: Where does the name Gerhardi come from?
The last name Gerhardi is of German origin and has numerous variations, such as Gehardi, Gerharde, and Garardi. It is common today in areas of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Hungary, Russia, Romania, and the Czech Republic.
The majority of people with the last name Gerhardi still live in Germany today, where numbers remain highest compared to other countries. According to the 2009 census, around 11,487 people with the surname Gerhardi were living in Germany at the time. The largest concentration of Gerhardi was found in the state of Bavaria, with 10,484 living in the region. Additionally, 667 people with the name Gerhardi were noted in North Rhine-Westphalia, while only 336 were noted in Bavaria Nordsee.
Outside of Germany, the last name Gerhardi is found in other parts of Europe, with Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic being the most common. It is also quite common in the United States, particularly in New York, California, New Jersey, and Florida. The 2010 US census reveals that around 1,000 people with the last name Gerhardi were living in the US at the time.
The Gerhardi surname is also quite common in South America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. Around 100 people with the last name Gerhardi were recorded in the Argentinian census of 2010, while in Brazil only 20 people with the surname Gerhardi were counted.
Overall, the last name Gerhardi is very common today in areas of Europe and South America, and to a lesser extent, it can be found in the United States.
Variations of the surname Gerhardi
The surname Gerhardi is believed to be of German origin, derived from the given name of Gerald or Gerard. Variants of this surname include Gerardie, Gerardy, Gerardy, Geraud, Gearard, Gearardi, Gerhard, Gerharde, Gerhardee, Gerhardt, Garhardt, Gerhardy, Gerhardey, Gerhardie, Gerhardus and Gehret.
Since this surname originated in Germany, it should not come as a surprise that the variants for Gerhardi reflect the country’s language. Specifically, the spelling of the surname has changed over the years in Germany due to accent marks, such as the Umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and the German letter “ß” (Eszett).
The surname that would be used the most often is Gerhard, however, there are other versions of this surname that can be traced to other countries. For instance, variants of Gerhardi can be found in France, particularly in the south-west of the country, where it is often written as Geraud (or variants of the spelling).
In terms of surnames, the most common alternative is Gerrart. This appears to be a French adaptation of Gerhardi, derived from Gerard. It is also found in South American countries, particularly Brazil and Argentina, where it can be found in its Spanish variation Gerardo.
Overall, the surname Gerhardi has a plethora of variants, spellings, and surnames across numerous countries. These variants have often been adapted over the centuries depending on the language and culture of the country in which the surname was acquired.
Famous people with the name Gerhardi
- John Gerhardi: British Labour Party politician.
- Will Gerhardi: German painter and sculptor.
- Ernst Gerhardi: German sculptor and medalist.
- Johannes Gerhardi: German sculptor.
- Emil Gerhardi: German nature-painter.
- Otto Gerhardi: German painter and graphic artist.
- Reinhold Gerhardi: German sculptor and medalist.
- Max Gerhardi: German painter and photographer.
- Carl Gerhardi: German painter and printmaker.
- Wolf Gerhardi: German painter and illustrator.