Surname Gerths - Meaning and Origin

Gerths: What does the surname Gerths mean?

The last name Gerths is of German origin and is a variation of the surname Gerdes, which was a habitational name deriving from any of various places named with the Low German word ger ‘spear’ or gurd ‘lance’. The German example of this would have been Gerthesen. The Gerths is also an abstract topographical name for someone who lived in an enclosed area or pen, such as a courtyard.

In German, the meaning of the name Gerths is ‘spear’ or ‘lance’. It is often associated with strength and honour. Over the years, the spelling of the name has varied as the surname was adapted or altered depending on the family’s place of origin.

The Gerths surname is thought to have held some status in German society, and could have even denoted membership of the nobility through the centuries. The surname is found most frequently in northern Germany, particularly in the states of Berlin and Bavaria. Over the past few decades, the surname has spread around the world as people move to different countries to work or to start families.

In summary, the German surname Gerths is derived from the Low German word for spear or lance and is associated with strength and honour. It is commonly found in northern Germany and is thought to have denoted nobility in past centuries. Additionally, the surname has spread to other countries around the world due to migration and people seeking new opportunities.

Gerths: Where does the name Gerths come from?

The surname Gerths is common in Germany, where it first originated from. It is amongst the most frequent surnames in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, making up more than 8,700 occurrences in the country. It is also one of the 500 most common surnames in Germany.

In the past 300 years, many individuals with the last name Gerths have migrated to other countries around the world. It is particularly common in the United States, ranking in at the 12,941st spot for popularity in 2020. It is also less prevalent but still present in Canada, the Netherlands, France, and Brazil. In the UK, around 15 people carry the last name Gerths.

In addition to its presence in Germanic countries, the last name Gerths is spread across many countries of Latin, Slavic, and Asian origins, from Hungary and the Czech Republic to Kazakhstan and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is estimated that over 40,000 people across the world have the Gerths surname.

Variations of the surname Gerths

The Gerths surname has several variants and alternate spellings, including Gaerth, Gerts, Gertz, and Geerths. All of these spellings are derived from the same German root words, and may have even been adopted by families at different points in time.

In some instances, the spelling may have changed due to a regional dialect. For instance, in Northern Germany, the name may be spelled Gaerth, while in Central and Southern Germany, the same name may be spelled Gertz. Similarly, an ancestor of the Gerths family may have moved from one region to another, resulting in a change in spelling.

The surname Gerths is also commonly found with the prefix “von” denoting noble origin. Further, the Gerths surname may be used interchangeably with the alternative spelling Geertz, which is popular in the Netherlands.

Additionally, the Gerths Mesman family is a branch of the Gerths surname, with Mesman being an additional surname adopted by the family. The Mesman family is one of the oldest branches of the Gerths name, with Mesman having been adopted by an ancestor who lived in an area near the city of Mecklenburg in Germany.

In terms of distant relatives, the surname may be found in American records, such as the US Federal Census, under variations such as Gerths, Garts, and Gerte, implying further evolving of the original surname.

Famous people with the name Gerths

• Yvonne Gerth, a 20th century German photographer.
• Christian Gerth, a German musicologist and professor.
• Amanda Gerth, a professional golfer from Germany.
• Charles Gerth, an American lawyer and politician.
• Manfred Gerth, a German physicist and professor of electrical engineering.
• Robert Gerths, a professional baseball player from Germany.
• Bastian Gerths, a professional footballer from Germany.
• Karen Gerths, a former German professional swimmer.
• Johannes Gerths, a professional footballer from Germany.
• André Gerths, a German professional football midfielder.
• Katharina Gerths, a German film director and photographer.
• Carsten Gerths, a professional footballer from Germany.
• Jennifer Gerths, a German figure skater.
• Manon Gerths, a German photographer and fashion designer.
• Alexandra Gerths, a German professional basketball player.
• Maximilian Gerths, a professional basketball player from Germany.
• Franz-Josef Gerths, a German classical pianist.
• Malte Gerths, a German professional football striker.
• Sigrun Gerths, a German musicologist.
• Paul Gerths, an American professional tennis player.

Other surnames

GerthGertheinrichGertheinrichsGerthenrich