Surname Gephardt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gephardt: What does the surname Gephardt mean?
The surname Gephardt is of German origin but its exact meaning is uncertain as it is largely considered a patronymic surname. Patronymic surnames are based on the first name of the father and are different from most common western family names today which are generally based on some geographical locality or hereditary occupation. The closest translation from German could be "gift of the strong" or "grace of power" with 'Geb-' possibly relating to "gift" or "grace" and '-hardt' to "strong" or "hardy." Nevertheless, original meanings of surnames often evolve over centuries and its current meanings can be unrelated to the original sense. Notable people with this surname include American politician Richard Gephardt.
Order DNA origin analysisGephardt: Where does the name Gephardt come from?
The last name Gephardt is of German origin. The name is derived from the Old High German "gebhardt" which is composed of the elements "geba" meaning "gift" and "hart" meaning "hardy", "brave", or "strong". Essentially, the name means "brave gift" or "strong gift".
Although the exact region in Germany where the name first originated is unclear, it was likely common in various parts of the country given the usual distribution of surnames. Today, the Gephardt surname is not particularly common. It can still be found in Germany and has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration. In the United States, for instance, one of the best-known individuals with this name is Richard Gephardt, a former congressman from Missouri and a leading figure in the Democratic Party. Despite this, it remains a relatively uncommon surname.
Variations of the surname Gephardt
The surname Gephardt is of German origin. Variants generally occur with a change in geography or language hence the surname can be spelt differently or it can be translated. Here are some possible variations and similar surnames:
1. Gebhardt - A common variant of the surname in Germany, it's likely the original spelling prior to translation.
2. Geppard - A variant observed among Americans of German ancestry, likely due to changes in pronunciation by English speakers.
3. Gephart - Another variant, possibly due to phonetic spelling based on English pronunciation.
4. Gephard - This spelling might occur due to a mistranslation or misspelling.
5. Gebhard - A simpler version without the 't' ending. This variation is common among German-speaking people.
6. Jephardt - This variant might be observed in areas where the 'J' is pronounced as 'G' such as in some Scandinavian countries.
7. Gepheart - Characterized by an extra 'e', this version might be a result of incorrect transcription.
8. Gebhart - A distinct form of the surname more commonly found in Austria.
9. Albright - An English translation of the surname. In German, 'Gebhardt' is believed to mean 'bright pledge/brave', which is similar to the meaning of 'Albright'.
Famous people with the name Gephardt
- Richard Gephardt: An American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Missouri from 1977 to 2005. He was also the House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995 and the House Minority Leader from 1995 to 2003. Gephardt was a Democratic presidential candidate in 1988 and 2004.
- Matt Gephardt: The son of Richard Gephardt, Matt is a consumer advocate and investigative reporter for KTVX Channel 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Chrissy Gephardt: The daughter of Richard Gephardt, she is known for being one of the first openly lesbian women whose parent ran for President. She’s an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Kate Gephardt: A filmmaker who is also the daughter of Richard Gephardt. She is known for her work on "American Dreams", "The Real World: Philadelphia", and "Senior Week".
- Jane Gephardt: Wife of Richard Gephardt and well known for her public appearances during her husband's political campaigns. These Gephardts are known primarily for their roles in politics, journalism, film, and social advocacy.