Surname Gertgens - Meaning and Origin
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Gertgens: What does the surname Gertgens mean?
The last name Gertgens is of German origin, and is derived from the personal name Gert or Gerard, meaning “strong spear.” The name is sometimes spelled Gergens, Gergers, or Gergen, and is found throughout southern Germany and the Netherlands.
The earliest recorded use of the name appears in a 1345 document in the town of Worms, Germany, where a Gertgen, or Gergen, von Worms is listed as a witness. In the late 1500s, a Johannes Gertgen is documented in the town of Emmerich in Germany.
The Gertgens name is most commonly be found in the area of Niederrhein, Germany, which is a part of the Rhineland-Palatinate region along the Rhine river. The name grew in popularity in the 1800s, particularly in the Netherlands, most likely due to migration of German-speaking immigrants.
Today, the name Gertgens is still common in both southern Germany and the Netherlands. Its prevalence is a testament to the family’s centuries-old German roots and to their long history of migration and settlement in the Rhineland. The name is likely to remain popular and prevalent for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisGertgens: Where does the name Gertgens come from?
The last name Gertgens is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Central and Western Europe. In Germany, the name is most highly concentrated in the states of North-Rhine Westphalia, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It also has a long history in many countries, such as the Netherlands, France, Austria and Switzerland.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people with the last name Gertgens in the United States. First generation immigrants from Germany often adopted the last name when arriving in the United States, and today you will find many people with the name living in different areas of the country. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Seattle and San Francisco have the highest concentration of Gertgens'.
Additionally, the last name has also spread to other parts of the world, with substantial numbers in Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.
Engaging in genealogy is one of the best ways to determine the presence of the Gertgens surname in different parts of the world. Records show that the name is present in many countries, indicating that the spread of this surname is in line with population movement and immigration. With continued immigration, it is likely that the surname will become increasingly common across other parts of the world in the years to come.
Variations of the surname Gertgens
The Gertgens surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Gertgen, Gersgens, Gertgins, Gertgens, Gertgenz, Gertges, Gertgess, Gertjes, and Gerteis.
The Gertgens surname originated in the Low Countries of Europe, especially in the Rhineland of Northern Germany around the 15th century. Gertgens was derived from the Germanic personal names Gerard or Gert. This name is especially frequent in the Netherlands, where it is also known as Gerts, Gerrits, and Gerritzen. The German form is Gertgen.
Due to Europe's long history of mobility, the Gertgens family name has also spread to other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the Trump family tree, the surname Gertgens appears as a variant spelling of Gertgen.
The Gertgens surname can also be found spelled as Gourginz in France, Grosgens in Spain, Gerebens in Czech Republic and Germany, Girtgen in Poland, Girtgens in the Netherland, Gertkens in Russia, and Gascons in Italy. Other variants and related spellings include Gertgens, Gertgenz, Gertges, Gertgess, Gertjes, and Gerteis.
Most explanations of the Gertgens name cite it as an occupational surname that originated from the Germanic personal name Gerard or Gert. This name could have referred to a strong-willed warrior, ruler, or leader. Alternatively, it can also refer to someone who works with spears (Gerhard) or comes from a place of spears.
Famous people with the name Gertgens
- Bernd Gertgens: German professional footballer.
- Robert Gertgens: German lawyer and former co-director of the German Intelligence Service (GIS).
- Rob Gertgens: Dutch entrepreneur and founder of several companies.
- Claudia Gertgens: German art historian.
- Jörg Gertgens: German sailor and world champion in the Laser class.
- Wolfgang Gertgens: German comedian and actor.
- Sebastian Gertgens: German science writer and television host.
- Joost Gertgens: Dutch documentary filmmaker and producer.
- Jan Gertgens: German singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Peter Gertgens: German entrepreneur, business executive and chairman of the supervisory board of several companies.