Surname Gierlichs - Meaning and Origin

Gierlichs: What does the surname Gierlichs mean?

The surname Gierlichs (also spelt Gerlichs or Gerlachs) is an occupational surname of Germanic origin. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word ‘giralo’ meaning ‘spear’ or ‘lance’, and was likely an occupational name used to describe a maker or user of such weapons. Gierlichs could also have been used to describe a person with a spear-like character or bearing.

The earliest documented use of the name is found in 13th century East Germany, where it was recorded in reference to a cavalry lance called the Gierlich. This suggests that several generations of the same extended family may have held the name to denote their craftsmanship or family tradition of wielding spears.

The name is still popular today across Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of the German-speaking world, and has had some notable bearers including the German conceptual artist Joseph Beuys and the German astronomer Johann Tobias Gierlichs.

Today, the name Gierlichs is perhaps most known for its use in the 2019 film Jojo Rabbit, as the surname of the protagonist's friend Elsa, based on the real-life German Jewish teenager Elsa Sorauer who lived in Nazi Germany.

Gierlichs: Where does the name Gierlichs come from?

The last name Gierlichs is most commonly found today in Germany. It is a German surname derived from the personal name ‘Girald’, which was introduced in Germany during medieval times. The Gierlichs family name is an ancient one, having been found in records as far back as 1281. It is most commonly found in western states such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.

The Gierlichs family is said to have originated in the city of Worms in the Rhineland-Palatinate, an area in western Germany near the iconic Rhine river. Records also show that the Gierlichs family were weavers in several German towns in the Middle Ages. This indicates that they were a successful and unique family, with a long standing history and a well-established background in German society.

Today, the Gierlichs surname could be found scattered across Germany, but mainly in the Rhineland-Palatinate and part of the former Prussian provinces. There are also some small traces of the family name in Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg. In the last few decades, some members of the Gierlichs family have migrated to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, making it a global family name today.

Variations of the surname Gierlichs

The surname Gierlichs is German in origin and can be found in countries all around the globe. Gierlichs is but one variant spelling for the same family name and there are several other forms of this surname. Commonly seen spellings of Gierlichs include: Gerlich, Gierlich, Girlich, Gerlach, Gierlach, Gerlichs, Gierlichs, Gyrlich, Gierlichshausen, and Gierlichshofen.

The existence of this surname dates back several centuries. It has been observed that this surname is most commonly found in the area of southwest Germany, where it has been noted with a considerable frequency since the 13th century. It is also found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Gierlichs is a patronymic surname with derivations of a German first name where the ending “-lich” is based on the Latin word “liber” meaning “free.” The prefix “Ger-” was a traditional Germanic first name and originally meant “spear” or “lance.” Alternately, the prefix “Gir-” as in “Girlich” could derive from “Gero,” a Germanic first name which meant “bold.”

The variants of the Gierlichs surname substantiate that it is an old and well established surname with origins in Germany. Many people who have Gierlichs in their family tree may not be aware of its German origin. Regardless, it has been passed down for generations and is likely to continue to be an enduring family name.

Famous people with the name Gierlichs

• Paul Gierlichs: German classical philologist, translator and editor of medieval texts.
• Klaus-Peter Gierlichs: German physicist, specializing in solid state and surface physics.
• Andre Gierlichs: German international Master chess player.
• Antoinette Gierlichs: Dutch rower who won multiple gold medals at the World Rowing Championships.
• Marius Gierlichs: German professional footballer who played for various clubs in Germany and Belgium.
• Jana Gierlichs: German television presenter, actress and comedian.
• Theo Gierlichs: Belgian soccer player, most notably for Club Brugge.
• Katarzyna Gierlichs: Polish historian focused on Polish-German relations.
• Georg Gierlichs: German sculptor and figurative artist.
• Frank Gierlichs: Belgian film actor.

Other surnames

Gierlich