Surname Gerolt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gerolt: What does the surname Gerolt mean?
The last name Gerolt is of German origin. It is believed to have first been given to people who lived near the city of Erfurt, in what is now the state of Thuringia, Germany. The ecnominc base of the town and surrounding areas was largely agricultural. The name Gerolt comes from the German words "gir" (an archaic term for furrow) and "holt" (timbered hill, high ground, wood). As a result, the name signified someone who owned or worked the land in that hilly, wooded area, either clearing it and planting or maintaining it for grazing.
The typical Gerolt was likely a farmer or rancher, probably owning their own land or a share of it. Because of Erfurt's position at the crossroads of Europe, the Gerolts had frequent contact with people from all walks of life: merchants, scholars, warriors, and peddlers. This gave them the opportunity to interweave their family's culture with that of their neighbors', as well as to travel and explore.
Today, people with the last name Gerolt can be found throughout the world. Despite the geographical distance between hills of Germany and every other corner of the globe, many families have preserved the traditions and values of the original Gerolt families. While the name's literal meaning may have been forgotten, its connotation of someone who endeavors to make the best of their environment and opportunities remains.
Order DNA origin analysisGerolt: Where does the name Gerolt come from?
The last name Gerolt is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany, with some variants seen in Belgium, France, and the United States. In the Netherlands alone, there are an estimated 1,900 people who bear the surname Gerolt today, making it the 178th most common surname in the country.
In Germany, Gerolt is not as common, but there still is a surprisingly large number of occurrences. According to both GOV.UK and the M72 genealogical database, there are an estimated 522 people with the last name Gerolt in Germany today.
In Belgium, France, and the United States, the surname Gerolt is far less common. In Belgium, there are only 40 people with the last name Gerolt, while in France, there are only 21.
In the United States, the pool of people with the last name Gerolt is very small, with a few dozen instances scattered across the country. In recent years, the last name has been more commonly chosen for babies born in the United States, with nearly 1,000 people carrying the Gerolt surname today.
Overall, the last name Gerolt is most prevalent in the Netherlands, with Germany, France, Belgium, and the United States being far less common. With some variants of the name existing in different countries, the Gerolt surname can trace its roots across much of Western Europe.
Variations of the surname Gerolt
Gerolt is a German surname derived from a medieval Germanic personal name composed of two elements. The first element is ger, meaning "spear" and the second element is wald, meaning "protecting ruler." The surname Gerolt is found mainly in the Rhineland region of Germany but is also found in other German-speaking countries.
Alternative variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Gerolt include Gerhold, Jerhold, Gierhold, Garold, Garhold, Jerold, Jerholt, Garalt, Garholt, and Geralt.
The surname Geralt is also found in many variations of the German spelling in different countries. Common German variations include Geroldt, Gerling, Gerlich, Gerlack, Gerlock, Gerlauch, Gerlind, Gerlic, and Gerlicha. There are also several variations of the Dutch spelling of the surname, including Geroltse, Geroldsen, Gerolds, Gerold, Gerholt, Gerhault, Gerhald, and Gerhelt. Other variations in other languages include Jerolt and Gerolet in French and Gharalts in Albanian.
The surname Gerolt has also been anglicized to various forms, such as Garold, Garoldt, Garolt, Garrett, Gerald, Geralt, Gerlach, Gerrell, and Gerrol. There are also several variants of the name in other languages, such as the Italian Gheraudo, the Russian Gheralt, and the Romanian Geroltu.
Famous people with the name Gerolt
- James Gerolt: Award-winning physical comedian, member of "Floob" sketch comedy troupe, and actor in numerous television and film projects.
- Brett Gerolt: Brother of James Gerolt and co-founder of "Floob," as well as an actor and screenplay writer.
- Richard Gerolt: World-renowned classical composer and arranger, who wrote and/or arranged music for more than 80 films and television shows.
- Horst Gerolt: Painter, graphic artist, and sculptor most famous for his modernist-style wood reliefs.
- Max Gerolt: Renowned landscape painter and one of the first German artists to work in the "En Plein Air" style.
- Jill Gerolt: International award-winning modern dancer, choreographer, and artistic director/founder of several ballet companies and performance ensembles.
- Tina Gerolt: Famed automotive engineer and designer for several major American car brands, garnering more than 40 United States patents over her career.
- George Gerolt: Best known for his industrial design, which includes numerous toys, cars, appliances, and furniture.
- William Gerolt: Electronic engineer and career military officer, one of the most important development staff members of early cryptographic computer technologies.