Surname Gerink - Meaning and Origin

Gerink: What does the surname Gerink mean?

The surname Gerink is an occupational surname derived from the Old Dutch word “gerinck,” meaning “merchant.” This surname is found primarily in the Netherlands, where it dates back to the Middle Ages. People with the last name Gerink often descended from merchants who were likely some of the earliest recorded members of the Dutch population of the Low Countries.

The family name Gerink can be found throughout the Netherlands and is one of the oldest family names there. The name itself is derived from the Gerinck family, the oldest family name to be found in the Netherlands, which dates back to the mid-12th century. It is known to have been in use there since at least the 13th century.

Tracing the history of the Gerink family can be a difficult undertaking, owing to the nature of Dutch record-keeping in the Middle Ages. In addition, many family names were changed or lost as a result of war and social upheaval in the country around this time. Despite this, many members of the Gerink family maintained their heritage, and today, the name is common in the Netherlands and other countries where Dutch emigrants settled.

Overall, the last name Gerink is an occupational surname traditionally associated with merchants in the Netherlands. The name dates back to at least the 13th century and has persisted throughout the country’s history. Members of the Gerink family who keep this name today may have ties or links to their ancestral merchants from the Middle Ages.

Gerink: Where does the name Gerink come from?

The last name Gerink is a Dutch patronymic surname derived from the given name Gerard, which means "brave with a spear". The surname is still fairly common in the Netherlands today. It is most commonly seen in the North and East of the country, especially in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, and Overijssel. It is also fairly prevalent in Flevoland. The occurrences of the surname are somewhat lower in the South of the Netherlands, but still historically Dutch provinces such as Zeeland, Noord-Brabant, and Utrecht also have high numbers of Gerink families.

It is also possible to find the name Gerink in places outside the Netherlands. Countries that have been colonized by the Dutch, such as Indonesia and Suriname, as well as former Dutch territories such as Jamaica, all have quite a few people bearing the Gerink surname. It has also spread to other parts of Europe due to immigration, with the most prominent population being in Germany.

In the United States, the surname is much less widespread and is mostly limited to pockets of Dutch communities in the Midwest and in the coastal areas of the Eastern Seaboard. It is scattered throughout other parts of North America as well, largely due to immigrants who were originally from Europe, South East Asia, or former Dutch colonies.

Variations of the surname Gerink

The Gerink surname is a very old one which has its origins in the Netherlands, particularly the province of Friesland. It is also found in Germany where it has variations such as Gerincke, Gerinken and Gerinke. In the Netherlands, the main variations are Gerink, Van der Gerink, Van de Garde, Van der Gerincke, and Gering. In addition to these, there are some spelling variations such as Gering, Garig, Gerring, and Garrig.

The Gerink surname is a patronymic, derived from the pre-Christian Germanic first name Gerinke, meaning spear. This name was popular in the province of Friesland from the 13th to the 16th centuries, and was also used in Germany during this time.

Gerink is a relatively common surname in the Netherlands, where the most common variant is Van der Gerink. Other variants include Van de Garde, Van der Gerincke, and Gering. In the Netherlands, many people with the Gerink surname are associated with the province of Friesland. In Germany, variants such as Gerincke and Gerinken can also be found.

Overall, the Gerink surname is an old one that has many variants spelling and surname forms associated with it. The name is derived from the pre-Christian Germanic first name Gerinke, meaning spear. In the Netherlands, the most common variant is Van der Gerink, while in Germany, variants such as Gerincke and Gerinken can also be found.

Famous people with the name Gerink

• Jeroen Gerink: Dutch footballer who plays for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eerste Divisie.
• Sanne Gerink: Professional ballroom dancer from the Netherlands who is known for participating in the show 'Let’s Dance', and winning it in 2012.
• Emile Gerink: Dutch Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who is currently the veterinarian at animal clinic Amstelveen.
• Moniek Gerink: Dutch high jumper who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Marcel Gerink: Dutch former footballer who played as a midfielder for various clubs in the Dutch top league.
• Marko Gerink: Professional footballer who plays for Berrywood Town in the English Premier League.
• Emily Gerink: Student at the University of Amsterdam and member of the athletics team.
• Rein Gerink: Former director of the Dutch Museum of Natural History, now retired.
• Mark Gerink: Dutch photographer and videographer specializing in outdoor action sports and photography.
• John Gerink: British Sports Physiotherapist, now working for the Premier League side Chelsea FC.

Other surnames

GeringGeringerGeringk