Surname Gerhardus - Meaning and Origin
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Gerhardus: What does the surname Gerhardus mean?
The surname Gerhardus is a Germanic given name commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany and other parts of Europe. It is derived from the German given name Gerhard, which translates to “brave spear.” The name is derived from ger, meaning “spear,” and hard, meaning “brave.”
The name has been around for centuries; records show the name has been used since the days of the Germanic tribes. It is said to be a sign of strength and courage. This sentiment may also explain why the name was given to individuals who were seen as leaders or warriors.
It has been used in different forms, including its common Dutch form, Gerhardus, and also its more archaic German form, Gerhard. The name appears in records for many generations, proving its staying power.
The given name Gerhard has also been a popular choice in many cultures and countries for many centuries. It has been used as the name of monarchs and popes alike, a mark of respect for those individuals. The name has been used in literature, too; the ‘Gerhardt’ in the Brothers Grimm tale ‘The Brave Little Tailor’ being one example.
The name Gerhardus is a respected and traditional one, carrying with it a meaning of strength and courage. It is easy to see why so many people have been proud to carry the name, and why it has been popular for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisGerhardus: Where does the name Gerhardus come from?
The last name Gerhardus is a common surname in parts of Europe, especially Germany. In Germany, it is one of the top 100 most common last names, indicating its popularity in the area. The name is also common in other parts of Northern and Central Europe, especially countries that have close ancestral ties to Germany.
The Netherlands and South Africa are two other countries where the last name Gerhardus is common. In the Netherlands, it is a variation of the name Gerrit. The name Gerhardus is also common in the Afrikaans communities in South Africa, where it has been used as a patronymic surname since the 18th century.
The surname Gerhardus is rarely seen in the United States, suggesting it isn’t an especially common name in the English-speaking world. It hardly appears within the US Census or other records, and is not among the top 1,000 most popular surnames in the country. However, it still might be present in some branches of the family tree, granted that it wasn’t adopted in the American English-speaking context.
Overall, the last name Gerhardus is most common in Germany, the Netherlands and South Africa. In the English-speaking world it remains relatively rare; however, it is possible that some branches of the family tree still carry the name.
Variations of the surname Gerhardus
The surname Gerhardus has several variants, spellings and surnames associated with it. It is derived from the Germanic first name Gerhard, which means “stalwart spear” or “brave spear.”
Garrard is the most commonly seen variant of the Gerhardus surname. It is often seen spelled Garratt, Garret, Jerrett, and Garraud. Another variant, Jerrard, is also sometimes found.
The variant Gehard is also seen, with various spellings such as Gerhardt, Gerhart, Gerhartt, Gerhardt, and Gerhard.
Garrey and Gerriod are two other variants of Gerhardus.
The diminutive form of the surname is Gerrid.
Commonly found surnames that are associated with the surname Gerhardus include Gedric, Gedrik, Gereke, Giradi, Girardi, and Girardin.
Lastly, the Dutch and German form of the surname Gerhardus is Gerrit. It is often seen as Gerrites, Gerrits, and Jerke.
In conclusion, the surname Gerhardus has many variants, spellings, and associated surnames. The most common variants of Gerhardus are Garrard, Jerrard, Gehard, Garrey, and Gerriod. Associated surnames include Gedric, Gedrik, Gereke, Giradi, Girardi, and Girardin. Lastly, the Dutch and German form of the surname is Gerrit.
Famous people with the name Gerhardus
- Simon Gerhardus: A South African lawyer and educator who holds a doctorate in private international law and was previously the Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa from 2002 to 2015.
- Johannes Gerhardus Visser: An Afrikaans-language novel and short-story writer from South Africa, and the author of a number of novels.
- Jacques Gerhardus Swanepoel: A South African professor and academic, best known for his work in the field of engineering and his contributions to conservation initiatives.
- Carl Gerhardus: A South African artist best known for his involvement in the art collective known as the South African Impressionists.
- Hermanus Gerhardus Steyn: A South African lawyer, judge and politician who rivaled Nelson Mandela as a civil rights leader during the apartheid era.
- Jacobus Gerhardus Marais: A South African professor, researcher and author specialising in the cognition of marine animals.
- FerGus Gerhardus Alberts: A South African free-soil farmer from the Free State, best known for his activism against injustice during the Second Boer War.
- Marelize Gerhardus: A South African actress and theatre director, best known for her roles in the drama series Binnelanders and Isidingo.
- Johann Gerhardus Nel: A South African cricketer who captained his team at the 2008 Under 19 Cricket World Cup.
- Gregory Gerhardus Meyer: A South African cricketer who has represented his country in the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in 2008.