Surname Gearhardt - Meaning and Origin

Gearhardt: What does the surname Gearhardt mean?

The last name Gearhardt is of German origin and has two different potential meanings. It could be derived from the Middle High German ger meaning “spear” and hart meaning “hard”, making it an occupational name for a maker of spears. Alternatively, it could derive from a nickname meaning “braveheart” due to the combination of ger and hart, and would have been bestowed upon someone of warrior-like character.

The surname first appears in records from the 13th century, when a certain Hartman der Garehart was recorded living in Regensburg, Germany. Later, in 1517, records show that Hans Juncker of Gareharts lived in Bremen, Germany. By 1640, one branch of the Gearhardt family had migrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania.

Throughout its history, the name Gearhardt has been found all over the world, from Germany to the United States and beyond. Today, the name serves as a reminder of the strength and courage of those who held it. It stands as an emblem of the bravery and fortitude of past generations who have overcome adversity throughout the centuries.

Gearhardt: Where does the name Gearhardt come from?

The last name Gearhardt is most commonly found in the United States today. It is thought to have originated in Germany, but has also been found in Denmark, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the highest concentrations of Gearhardts can be found in the states of Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Illinois.

In the late 1800s, most Gearhardts in the United States originated in Wisconsin, with a sizable number in Iowa. By 1900, Gearhardts had spread throughout Midwestern states, with many eventually settling in Texas, Nebraska, and Illinois.

Presently, Gearhardts are scattered throughout the United States. Iowa still has the highest density of reported Gearhardt heritage. Smaller numbers exist in other states throughout the country, but most Gearhardts are found in the states of Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Illinois.

Research suggests that the last name Gearhardt may be a variation of the name "Göhre" or "Göhri" from Germany. Variations of this name can be found across the United States and Europe. While Gearhardt is not a common name, it is likely that if one were to trace the family tree far enough, there would be connections to other Gearhardts across the globe.

Variations of the surname Gearhardt

The Gearhardt surname is believed to have derived from a Germanic personal name "Gerard," which can often be spelled as "Gerhard, Gerhart, Garret, Garrett, Garard, Garret, Garretts, Garretson, Garrets, Garrat, Garrit, Garreth, Geary, Geraty, Gerraty, Gerrity, Jarratt, Jarritt, Jarrette, Jarrott, Jerrett, Jerrott, Garratt and Garrott." This surname is then typically found with various spelling variants because of the diversity of national languages and dialects in which the name was used.

Gearhardt is a variant spelling of the German name Gerhard, which was found in many medieval documents. It is believed to have come from the Germanic personal name, Gerard, meaning "brave with the spear." Variants such as Gerhard, Gerhardt and Garret can be found as early as the 12th century in Germany.

Gearhardt is rarely found as a surname today, but its variants are more common, such as Gerhard, Gerhardt, Gerhart, Garrard, Garretts, Jarrott, Garrett, Gerardo, Geary, Gerraty, and Garrit. Some of these variants have been given asconcised forms of the original last name in different countries that used similar versions of the name. For example, Gerardot is a more commonly found surname in France and Spain, while Gerret is found in Germany.

In the United States, the most popular variant forms of Gearhardt are Garretts, Garretson, Jarratt, Jarrott, and Gerardo. The name is also found in other countries, including Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, and other European countries.

Famous people with the name Gearhardt

• Carrie Gearhardt: Award-winning educational television producer.
• Carl Gearhardt: German entomologist who made the first scientific collections of butterflies and moths in Alaska.
• Richard Gearhardt: American actor who is best known for his roles in the television series The Addams Family.
• Cynthia Gearhardt: American screenwriter, author and producer.
• Joy Gearhardt: American Actress and Producer who has appeared in a number of films including Office Space and Superbad.
• Kelsey Gearhardt: American actress best known for her roles in the film The King of Kong and the TV series Entourage.
• Alan Gearhardt: American philosopher who is best known for his writing on the philosophy of sport and leisure.
• Thomas Gearhardt: American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives and in the Connecticut Senate.
• Robert Gearhardt: American neuroscientist and professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Peter Gearhardt: American entrepreneur who founded the company MobileNow, which developed mobile payment systems.

Other surnames

Gearhard