Surname Gierhards - Meaning and Origin

Gierhards: What does the surname Gierhards mean?

The last name Gierhards is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German words gieren meaning ‘to turn’ and hart meaning ‘hard.’ Thus, the name Gierhards literally translates to the meaning ‘hard turner.’

Gierhards is a patronymic surname, which is a surname that is derived from the name of a father or ancestor. The surname likely originated from an ancestor with such a profession, where someone with this name would have likely been involved in a task that required them to ‘turn’ something ‘hard’ - referring to the act of a skilled tradesman such as a wheelwright, blacksmith, potter or carpenter.

The Gierhards surname is considered to be one of the oldest surnames in Germany. It first appeared in the province of Bremen in the 12th century, with the earliest recorded instance of the surname being Heinricus Gerards de Bristole, who was a witness to a document in 1222. Since then, the name has branched out into other German speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Greater Prussia.

Today, the name Gierhards is still fairly common in Germany and is also present in Germany-oriented communities across the world, especially USA and Australia. Those with the surname Gierhards can be proud to call a long Flix of craftspeople and skilled artisans spanning centuries their ancestors.

Gierhards: Where does the name Gierhards come from?

The last name Gierhards is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. The variant form 'Gierards' is also found mainly in these two countries. This last name likely dates back to medieval times in Germany, and subsequent migrations to the Netherlands.

The Gierhards last name likely originated as an occupational name, as it is derived from the Middle High German word 'gerhart' meaning 'strong hearted'. It is believed to have initially been used as an occupational name to identify people involved in animal husbandry.

In Germany, the name can mainly be found in Schleswig-Holstein, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessische, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin. The Netherlands has much lower numbers and is mostly concentrated in the provinces of Overijssel, Gelderland, Drenthe, Zeeland, and Utrecht. The name is also present in different parts of the United States, typically in cities with large Dutch and German immigrant populations.

The last name Gierhards is present in the United States today in the form of first or last names. It is a patronymic surname, meaning that it is derived from the given name of an ancestor, such as a father, grandfather, or elder ancestor. It is found in cities such as Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Overall, the last name Gierhards is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. With the influx of immigrant populations in the US, it is also found in various cities across the country.

Variations of the surname Gierhards

Gierhards is a common surname that has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Gerhards is the most common variant of the surname, which is derived from the German name Gierhard, which is itself derived from the Germanic name Gerhard. Other variants of Gierhards include Garhards, Gehards, Gerards, Gerardson, and Gehrardt.

Other variants of the same origin include Giere, Geier, and Geyer. These surnames share the same root: the German word “gier”, meaning an eagle or hawk. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was a hawk or eagle hunter.

Variants of the surname have also developed as immigration patterns shifted over time. Giere is a Dutch variant, whilst Geyer is a Czech variant. Gierach and Gierachowski are Polish variants derived from the German root, whilst Garhard is an English variant.

Giersdorf is another variant of the surname that can have multiple origins. It may be derived from the German word “gier”, making it a variant of Gierhards. However, it may also be derived from the words “gier” plus “dorf”, meaning “grazing land”. In this case, Giersdorf suggests that the bearer of the surname either lived in a village or was associated with one.

Overall, Gierhards has a wide range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Most of these variants are either Germanic or derived from other European languages, reflecting the diverse immigration patterns of the past.

Famous people with the name Gierhards

• David Gierhards: German professional race car driver
• Sam Gierhards: American stuntman and stunt coordinator
• Norbert Gierhards: German former professional football player
• Elliott Gierhards: American professional table tennis player
• Johannes Gierhards: German sculptor and teacher
• Johan Gierhards: Dutch composer
• Mike Gierhards: American sculptor
• Scott Gierhards: American former professional basketball player
• Peter Gierhards: American professional wrestler
• Pascal Gierhards: German professional soccer player
• Joost Gierhards: Dutch advocate of green energy and electric cars
• Patrick Gierhards: German former professional footballer
• Ernest Gierhards:American former professional baseball player
• Karl Gierhards: German music producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist
• Henry Gierhards: American stage and television actor
• Ralf Gierhards: German composer and conductor
• Marc Gierhards: Belgian musician
• Benjamin Gierhards: German musician
• Ben Gierhards: American artist
• Jonah Gierhards: German writer and filmmaker

Other surnames

GierhardGierhardtGierhartz