Surname Gerholdt - Meaning and Origin
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Gerholdt: What does the surname Gerholdt mean?
The last name Gerholdt is of Germanic origin and can be translated to mean “spearhold”. It is an occupational name that was given to someone who held a spear either as a guard or a weapon in battle. It is likely that this name originated in Middle Ages Germany when spears were widely used as weapons.
The spear itself was an important symbol in multiple cultures and civilizations throughout history, suggesting bravery and courage. In heraldry, the spear symbolizes military office, implying strength and confidence.
In the modern day, the name Gerholdt is found mainly in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States. People with the last name are likely to be descendants of an ancestor who wielded a spear centuries ago, and are now proud to carry on the name.
Many Gerholdt surnames have similar spelling variations, such as Garholt, Garholdt, Gerholt, Gerholte and Girholz. This indicates the name has spread and changed over centuries, as it has become more common in different countries and populations.
Overall, the last name Gerholdt is a proud reminder of a martial ancestor, and reflects a deep sense of strength and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisGerholdt: Where does the name Gerholdt come from?
The last name Gerholdt is most common in Germany today. According to a genealogy website, Gerholdt is a German family name derived from the Old German word "ger", meaning "spear". The name was initially Kat Gerholdt and was adopted by families in North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt regions of Germany. This name was primarily associated with peasantry and heraldic lines in Germany.
Over time, Gerholdt spread to other countries around the world. In the United States, it is most commonly found in Ohio, California and Texas. It can also be found in Canada, France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, Serbia, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Australia.
In the past fifty years, the Gerholdt surname has spread to countries such as Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa. This is likely due to the increased globalization and migration of people from different countries.
Interestingly, in 2019, Gerholdt was used as an assumed business name in St. Kitts and Nevis, suggesting that the last name has grown even more throughout the world. It is likely that the Gerholdt surname will continue to spread and become even more widespread.
Variations of the surname Gerholdt
The surname Gerholdt, also spelled Gerholt, is of Germanic origins and was first found in East Prussia. This surname was most likely acquired by members of the Gerholdt family in the Middle Ages.
There are several variants of this surname found throughout present-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Variants of the surname Gerholdt include Gerholt, Gerhölt, Gehrold, Geruld, Gerold, Gerault, Gerwald, and Geroylle.
In addition to the surname Gerholdt, the “t” in the spelling can be removed to create the surnames Gerhol, Gerhols, Gerholss, Gerholl, Gerholla, Gerholz, Gerhöll, and Gerholts.
The spelling of the surname can also be slightly altered to create other similar surnames. Variants of the surname Gerholdt include Gerhoult, Gerhault, Gerhowlt, Geerhold, Gierhold, Gierholz, and Girhaldt.
A more modernized spelling of the surname Gerholdt can be found in names such as Gerhaalt, Gerhaltz, Gerhauldt, Gerhawlt, Gerholte, Gerholtz, and Gerrhaldt.
The surnames Gerholdt and its variants are still commonly used in modern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also used in other countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia as members of the Gerholdt family have immigrated to these countries in recent years.
Each of these variants of the surname Gerholdt are believed to be derived from placenames with the prefix "Ger," which signifies the original bearer's household, and signifies that the original bearer belonged to a particular place or lived in a particular town.
Famous people with the name Gerholdt
- Jacob Gerholdt: American professional soccer player who currently plays for Louisville City in the USL Championship.
- Arne Garborg: Norwegian dramatist, theater director, and poet from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Fred Gerholdt: American professional baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1909 to 1915.
- Dieter Gerholdt: German professional footballer who played for Borussia Dortmund in the 1950s.
- Waylon Gerholdt: American professional basketball player who played for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA from 2007 to 2010.
- Jakob Gerholdt: Austrian professional basketball player who currently plays for Partizan Belgrade in the ABA League.
- Austin Gerholdt: American professional volleyball player who won the FIVB World Championship with the United States in 2018.
- Volker Gerholdt: German painter, draftsman, and sculptor who lived in the late 20th century.
- Theodor Gerholdt: German author and novelist known for his works in the genres of magical realism, fantasy, and romance.
- Wilhelm Gerholdt: German sculptor active in the early 20th century, best known for his work depicting religious themes.