Surname Geders - Meaning and Origin

Geders: What does the surname Geders mean?

The last name Geders is of German origin and is derived from the term “geder” which refers to a common pattern of horns and/or antlers in a central pattern. As a surname, Geders may have been created as a branding or distinguishing mark to distinguish an individual's herd of cattle or other goods from others.

Geders is mostly found in Dutch speaking areas of Europe, such as in The Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland, but is also known to exist in French, Irish, and other languages. The surname is fairly common but may also be found in some Scandinavian countries and in the United States.

Geders is a fairly uncommon name, so there is little information to be found about its origin and meaning. It has been speculated that the name might represent a person who hunted or kept wild animals. Another possible explanation could be that the name is related to someone who was involved in the craft of crafting horns or antlers, as this was a very important trade during the Middle Ages.

No matter what connection it may have, Geders is a unique last name and its ancestral roots will remain unknown until more research is done. The few existing theories suggest that the last name may represent a person who was associated with the craft of hunting or carving antlers or horns and it is likely that its origin has been kept a closely guarded secret for centuries.

Geders: Where does the name Geders come from?

The last name Geders is most commonly found in countries of central and western Europe, especially Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. This surname has its earliest known origins in Germany, with the earliest known record mentioning a Herman Gederens in the year 1248. In modern times, Geders is relatively rare, with most people bearing the surname either living in the countries of western and central Europe or with roots tracing back to those countries.

In Germany, the surname is most prevalent in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria, with the most concentrated population being in the Bavarian city of Augsburg. In Belgium, Geders is seen most commonly in the province of Limburg, as well as in the nearby provinces of Antwerp and Flanders. In Switzerland, the surname is most commonly found in the cantons of Basel-Country, Lucerne, Zurich, and Schaffhausen.

In the United States, the surname Geders is relatively uncommon. The U.S. Census of 2000 recorded a total of 52 respondents with the Geders surname, making up just 0.00017% of all Americans surveyed that year. The states with the most people with Geders as their last name were California, New York, and Illinois.

Variations of the surname Geders

The surname Geders is an occupational surname likely originating from the German name for a miller or mill worker (a Gedere or Gederer). This surname may be found in a variety of spellings and variants, often adaptations of the English or German language, depending on the speaker or writer's origin. Variants and spellings of the surname Geders include Geder, Gedera, Gederas, Gederer, Gederera, Gedereras, Gedras, Gedroes, Gedras, and Gedroes, as well as other similar spelling variants.

Additionally, the surname Geders has a variety of related surnames and alternative spellings, with the same basic origin, which can be seen when researching family histories. Some of the alternative names include Gaderer, Gieders, Goders, Gudders, Gedigans, and Gedley. While these surnames often hold similar meanings and derivations, some of them may also possess specific, unique origins within certain families.

In conclusion, the surname Geders has many variations and spellings, drawing from different language sources, as well as a variety of alternate surnames which are related to its origin. An upcoming family researcher should be aware of the large amount of variation in this surname and related surnames and be ready to explore the many possibilities which exist for uncovering the family’s history.

Famous people with the name Geders

• Stephan Gerdes: Stephan Gerdes is a German biathlete and cross-country skier. He has had an impressive career, having won the gold medal in the team relay event in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and three bronze medals at the World Championships.
• Ed Gerdes: Edward Gerdes is an American actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for producing the film ‘Nowhereland’ and for his role in the television series ‘The Drew Carey Show’.
• Evert Gerdes: Evert Gerdes is a Dutch professional cyclist. He has won the Dutch National Cyclo-cross Championships four times and won three UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup races.
• Pim Gerdes: Pim Gerdes is a Dutch professional cyclist. He is a two-time winner of both the Dutch National Cyclo-cross and National Mountain Bike Championships.
• Peter Gerdes: Peter Gerdes is an American artist, sculptor, freelance illustrator, and graphic designer. He has designed award-winning books for numerous publishers.
• Klaus Gerdes: Klaus Gerdes is a German film director and television producer. He directed the film ‘Der grosse Traum’ and has produced several television series, including ‘Tatort’.
• Henry Gerdes: Henry Gerdes was an American Major League Baseball player in the early 1900s. He also had a lengthy post-playing career as a coach for several minor league teams.
• Nick Gerdes: Former professional ice hockey player Nick Gerdes played in the NHL for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Mandy Gerdes: Mandy Gerdes is a German model and actress who has appeared in a number of films and television shows.
• Claudia Gerdes: Claudia Gerdes is a German ceramics artist who has exhibited her works internationally.

Other surnames

Geder