Surname Gierhard - Meaning and Origin
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Gierhard: What does the surname Gierhard mean?
The last name Gierhard is of German origin and likely derived from the ancient personal name Gerhard, which is composed of two German words: "ger" meaning "spear" and "hard" meaning "brave, hardy, strong." Therefore, the meaning of Gierhard is “brave spear.”
The Gierhard family first established themselves in the city of Goch in Rhineland. They soon branched out and the name spread throughout various regions in Germany. Through the Middle Ages, Gierhard became increasingly popular and by the early 1600s, the family had flourished with numerous branches across Europe.
The Gierhard name has continued to evolve over time, now with variations such as Gierhart, Giertsch, Giersth, Giorhard, Ghard, and Girhard.
Gierhards are strong-willed individuals who value their independence and tenacity. They are known for being determined, courageous, and persistent. The Gierhard family have displayed these traits in their various occupations, ranging from commercial trades to military service.
Despite now having established itself as a global name, Gierhard still remains true to its long-standing German heritage. It is seen as a very proud surname and membership in the Gierhard family is respected and honored.
Order DNA origin analysisGierhard: Where does the name Gierhard come from?
The last name Gierhard is most commonly found throughout Germany today. It is a German surname that likely evolved from the German personal name Gero, which is derived from the Germanic gari, meaning "spear". The Gierhard surname is known to have been prominently used in areas of Germany such as Bavaria, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Gierhards are believed to have descended from nobility in the Middle Ages, as there was frequent middle-class wealth and influence in this area. According to a records analysis conducted by the University of Hamburg, Gierhard is found to be one of the 2000 most common German family names.
The Gierhard family used to be somewhat spread throughout Europe and the United States, however the name is much more concentrated to Germany today. Even within Germany, the name is primarily found in its southernmost regions. It is also worth noting that Gierhards can be found living in other parts of the world, most notably Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The Gierhard surname is associated with intelligence, creativity, and ambition and is a wonderful way to keep track of one's family history. To this day, the Gierhard family is respected and admired for its history and dedication to its heritage.
Variations of the surname Gierhard
The surname Gierhard is derived from the Germanic personal name Gero, which is composed of the elements ger, meaning “spear,” and hard, meaning “brave” or “strong.” This name was popularized in the medieval period and has since evolved to include a number of variants and spellings.
In Germany, the most common spelling of the name is Gerhard. Other German variants include Gehrhardt, Gerhardt, Gehrart, and Gehrer. In Austria, variants include Gerhardt, Gerhardter, Gehrhard, and Gehrhardter. In Switzerland, the most common variant is Gerhart and other spellings include Gehrhart, Gehrharter, Gehrhaart, Geoerhart, and Gierhart.
The surname also has numerous variants in other European countries, such as Girohardi in Italy, Gerardi in Spain, Giraud in France, Giraldi in Portugal, Girardi in Hungary, and Gieront in Poland.
In the U.S., the most common variants of Gierhard are Gerhard, Gerhardt, and Gierhart. Less common variants include Girard, Girardi, Jirard, Jirardi, Garhard, Garhardt, Wayrard, and Wayrardi.
Surnames derived from Gierhard include Garabedian, Gehrke, Jerge, Jerger, and Girardot. The surname has also been anglicized to sound more English, leading to the creation of names such as Gerret, Gerretts, Gerrard, Girard, Gerardot, Garrard, Girar, and Giraud.
Famous people with the name Gierhard
- Natalie Gierhard: An Australian athlete and model who is best known for competing in Miss Universe Australia 2018.
- Lisa Gierhard: German TV and film actress.
- Daisy Gierhard: British contemporary artist and curator who studied at the Ruskin School of Art and graduated with an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins.
- Paul Gierhard: An Austrian sculpter who is largely associated with Art Deco styles.
- S. H. Gierhard: An American early 20th century painter and children's book illustrator.
- Kurt Gierhard: A German-born graphic designer, best known for his posters, prints, and book covers.
- Wolfgang Gierhard: A German violinist, ... violinist, and a founding member of German String Quartet.
- Carl Gierhard: An Austrian architect and urban planner who worked on the Austria Bauplan.
- Friedrich Gierhard: A German sculptor and woodcarver from the 19th century.
- Hans Gierhard: An Austrian actor who has appeared in several films.