Surname Gerharts - Meaning and Origin
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Gerharts: What does the surname Gerharts mean?
The surname Gerharts is of German origin and refers to a person who is an energetic spearman. Specifically, the name is derived from the Middle High German words "ger" meaning spear and "hart" meaning hard or strong. It was likely used as an occupational surname for a spearman in the Middle Ages.
The name may have also been given to those who were known for being powerful and determined. This is supported by the related surnames Gerhardt and Gerhart, which both share the same origin and likewise mean strong spearman.
It is possible that the Gerharts surname has migrated from Germany to other countries throughout Europe. The name can be found commonly in Germany, Netherlands, Hungary and Lebanon. In the United States, the name is less common, but does occur in Pennsylvania, New York and California, which suggests that immigrants from those parts of the world may have brought the name with them.
Today, the Gerharts surname is still fairly uncommon in comparison to other surnames, but bears a noble reputation that is rooted in its history. This was a surname assigned to those with a reputation for strength and courage, and the latter day descendants of such people may find honor in carrying its name, no matter where they may reside.
Order DNA origin analysisGerharts: Where does the name Gerharts come from?
The last name Gerharts is quite common in certain parts of Europe and North America. In Europe, this last name is particularly common in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Austria. In North America, the last name Gerharts is particularly common in the United States and Canada.
In the United States, particularly in the state of Wisconsin, the last name Gerharts is quite common. In fact, Wisconsin is one of the most populous states for the Gerharts last name, with various family records indicating that they are the 16th most common surname in Wisconsin.
In Canada, the last name Gerharts is similarly quite popular. It is especially popular in the provinces of Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. In fact, census statistics revealed that in 2016, the Gerharts name was the 3rd most common last name in Alberta and the 23rd most common in Quebec.
Overall, the last name Gerharts is incredibly popular today. Its origin is thought to be Germanic in origin, meaning “friends” or “brothers.” As such, it is no surprise that this last name is so common and found in so many areas.
Variations of the surname Gerharts
The name Gerharts is a German name, with multiple forms both in spelling and in terms of variant surnames. The basic spelling is Gerharts, but it can be altered in various ways. Some of the common variations of the name include Geharts, Gehret, Gehart, Gehretz, Gerhardt, Gerarts, Gahrtz and Gerhardson.
A less common variation is Gerkhart, with a rare Finnish surname version of Gerkard. In some instances, there have been spellings with an h at the end, such as Gehahrts or Gerhartsch.
The Gerharts surname also has multiple surnames that are derived from it. For instance, Gerharting, Gerhartinger, Gerhartinger Barmettler, Gerharti, Gerharter, Gerhartz and Gahrtzer are all related surnames of the Gerharts family. Additionally, as the name is a fairly common one in Germany, there are some related forms with regional origins, such as Gerhardstein, Gehrdt and Gherhardt.
The name is also derived from the German first name Gerhard, but the connection with the Gerharts surname is not certain. In some cases, the name may originate from an ancestor that held a particular characteristic, such as a strong heart or brave heart, or simply to denote someone with a strong character.
Famous people with the name Gerharts
- Christoph Gerharts: Christoph Gerharts is a former athlete and multi gold medal winner in the Olympics. He was born in 1969 and competed in the games of 1992, 1996, and 2000.
- Betty Gerharts: Betty Gerharts is a former professional model and actress. She was a star in the early 2000s, working for prominent fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
- Curt Gerharts: Curt Gerharts is an internationally renowned chef. He is the chef and owner of two acclaimed restaurants in Cologne, Germany. He specializes in fusion cuisine and is well respected in the food world.
- Anne Gerharts: Anne Gerharts is a famous artist known for her predominantly portrait and still life paintings. Her artwork is exhibited in prestigious galleries around the world and is highly sought after.
- Henry Gerharts: Henry Gerharts is a Grammy Award-winning music producer, engineer, and mixer. He has worked with famous artists such as Ray Charles, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Madonna.
- Christina Gerharts: Christina Gerharts is an American businesswoman. She is the former CEO of the NATO-based International Security Assistance Force and the current CEO of a global consulting and investment firm.
- Andy Gerharts: Andy Gerharts is a professional basketball player from Germany. He currently plays for the German club side ALBA Berlin and is known for his skilled player development.
- Seymour Gerharts: Seymour Gerharts is an American mathematician and professor at Yale University. He is best known for his work on geometric functional analysis, variational inequalities, and nonsmooth optimization.