Surname Germersdorff - Meaning and Origin

Germersdorff: What does the surname Germersdorff mean?

Germersdorff is a German family name with roots in the Middle Ages. It is derived from a place name in the East German lands and is composed of two distinct elements: ger- and -dorff. The first element ger- is of Germanic origin and is related to the word “ger” meaning “spear”, reflecting the practice of placing one’s own spear next to the landowner’s marker to indicate ownership. The second element -dorff, also Germanic, and came to signify “wood”, “forest clearing” or “manor”, indicating a family who once held land in a certain area. When paired together, these elements form Germersdorff, meaning literally “the manor or forest clearing of the spear holder(s)”.

The name may be connected to a certain Saxon family, which appeared early in East German records as being owners to estates in the region. Today, Germersdorff is still a popular name, and can be found carrying on its legacy in many European countries. It is also a protected surname, so those who bear the name today can take solace in the knowledge that it will remain intact for future generations to come.

Germersdorff: Where does the name Germersdorff come from?

The Germersdorff surname is found primarily in Germany today. Germersdorff is a habitation name derived from the ancestral name of a person who lived in the county of Doehren located near Gotha in Thuringia, Central Germany. It is believed to have been first used in the 13th century.

The Germersdorffs were an ancient aristocratic family, ennobled and recognized for their loyalty to the Emperor in 1286. During the 15th century, the family was influential and held large estates in the mountains of Thuringia. A branch of the family moved to East Prussia in the 17th century and, more recently, many Germans with this last name moved or fled from Eastern Europe to other parts of the world during World War II.

Today, Germersdorff is a fairly uncommon last name. It is most common in the states of Thuringia, Brandenburg, Berlin, Saxony, and Bremen in Germany. Outside of Germany, the Germersdorff family name can be found primarily in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Germersdorff

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Germersdorff include Germer, Germers, Germersdorf, Germersdorf, Germerstein, Germerstadt, and Germerstatt.

Germer is derived from the place name Germar near Zwickau in Saxony, which derives its name from the Old High German elements ger ‘spear’ and mari ‘famous’. The origin of the Germer spelling is uncertain, but it likely originated from an individual with the Germerstem, or Germerstadt, suffix appended to their name at some point in history.

Germers is an alternative spelling of Germer. It is likely derived from an individual with the Germers suffix appended to their name. The spelling derived from an alternate variant of Germar, from which the Germers surname is derived.

Germersdorf is a variant of the Germeric form of the surname. The spelling is likely derived from an individual with the Germersdorff suffix appended to their name.

Germersdorf is another variant of the Germeric form of the surname. It likely originates from an individual with the Germersdorf suffix appended to their name.

Germerstein is a variant of the Germeric form of the surname. The spelling is possibly derived from an individual with the Germerstein suffix appended to their name.

Germerstadt is a variant of the Germeric form of the surname. The spelling is likely derived from an individual with Germerstadt suffix appended to their name.

Germerstatt is a variant of the Germeric form of the surname. The spelling is possibly derived from an individual with the Germerstatt suffix appended to their name.

Famous people with the name Germersdorff

• Gustav von der Goltz Count zu Ermersdorff (1822-1908), Prussian diplomat and master of the horse
• Hans Harald Dietrich von Ermersdorff (1908-1989), German General of Infantry
• Erich von Ermersdorff (1850-1938), German engineer and mining expert
• Franz Harald von Ermersdorff (1869-1945), Prussian major general
• Wilhelm von Ermersdorff (1731-1795), Prussian field marshal
• Margarete Wilhelmine Henriette Emilie von Ermersdorff (1902-1994) German promoter of German culture
• Regina von Ermersdorff (1910-1989), German Red Cross worker
• Emil von Ermersdorff (1844-1908), Prussian Minister of the Interior 1905-1908
• Heinrich von Ermersdorff (1884-1960), German journalist
• Siegfried von Ermersdorff (1884-1955), German chief of staff of the Wehrmachtduring World War II

Other surnames

Germersdorf