Surname Gerlicher - Meaning and Origin

Gerlicher: What does the surname Gerlicher mean?

The last name Gerlicher originates from Germanic territories. It is derived from two separate elements, “ger” meaning “spear”, and “licher” which means “noble”. Taken together, the name Gerlicher indicates an individual from noble stock, or someone who had a propensity for being armed with a spear.

The early history of the Gerlicher surname dates back to the 13th century in what is now modern-day Germany and Austria. In the Middle Ages, there were several prominent families with the Gerlicher name found in a variety of regions across the German-speaking world. These families were typically powerful members of society and a few even held courtier status for a time.

Today, the Gerlicher name exists as a single heritage among the European nations. It is most commonly found among the population of Germany and Austria, but can also exist among the populations of other European countries. The Gerlicher name is still known for its association with nobility and people of high social standing. Nonetheless, it is a highly venerated surname and carries a certain level of respect wherever it is encountered.

Gerlicher: Where does the name Gerlicher come from?

The last name Gerlicher is a German last name that is still common in Germany today. This name likely originated from a region in Germany known as Rhineland-Palatinate. This region is located in the western portion of the country and was originally part of the Bavarian homeland. The name likely originated from the family of Gerlacher who lived in this area.

The name Gerlicher is still popular in Germany today, as it appears on the list of the top 200 popular surnames in the country. The name is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg. Other states such as Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony also show high levels of the last name.

Included in the list of people with the Gerlicher surname are notable figures in German history such as members of the German royal family, though the name is also quite common among everyday citizens in Germany.

Outside of Germany, the Gerlicher surname has spread to other countries such as The United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The name is ranked as 21745 in the US, and those bearing the surname trace their immigrant ancestors who came to America between the nine and twentieth centuries, primarily from Germany and Austria. In Canada, it is ranked as the 43848th most common name, making it less common than in Germany or the US.

Though the name is not as common outside of Germany as it is inside the country, it is still used in other German-speaking nations as well as those countries where German immigrants settled.

In short, the surname Gerlicher is still common in Germany today and is found throughout Europe and in other countries where German immigrants have settled.

Variations of the surname Gerlicher

The surname Gerlicher is a German occupational or topographic surname derived from the Middle High German name “gerlich” meaning “wooded area” or “forest”.

Variants of the name include Gerelich, Gärlich, Garlich, Görlich, Görlitz, Garalich, Greralich, and Jorlicher. Various spellings also appeared, including Gerlich, Gerlichu, Gerelick, Gorelich, Gierlich, Gialich, Gerluke, Garlik, Garlick, Gewralich, and Girlich.

The surname also has a few alternate surnames of the same origin. These alternate surnames include Garlinger, Gehrlich, Gerlitz, Girling, Gurlich, and Kirklich.

In addition, many variants of Gerlicher appear as a Jewish surname, often spelled Gorlier or Gerlauer. These variants arose from further alternate surnames, such as Gorliner, Garlin, and Gehrlin.

Generally, when used as a surname, Gerlicher may refer to someone from a wooded or forested area. However, due to its widespread use, some individuals with the name may be unrelated in origin. It is worth noting that these alternate spells and surnames carry the same meaning and origin as the Gerlicher surname.

Famous people with the name Gerlicher

• Gertrude Gerlicher: German sculptress
• Andras L Gerlicher: Hungarian film director
• Serge Gerlicher: French comedy actor
• Arem Gerlicher: Israeli designer
• Leonard Gerlicher: Canadian electrical engineer
• Judy Gerlicher: Pulitzer-nominated American journalist
• Joseph Gerlicher: French photographer
• Rolf Gerlicher: German banker and financial advisor
• Leopold Gerlicher: Austrian lawyer and public official
• Robert Gerlicher: American Air Force colonel
• Suzanne Gerlicher: German native and World War II prisoner of war
• Harold Gerlicher: American football player
• Katia Gerlicher: Belgian puppet designer
• Udo Gerlicher: German computer music producer
• Gudrun Gerlicher: German radio producer
• Lauren Gerlicher: American advocate and social worker
• Liz Gerlicher: American television writer and producer
• John 'JG' Gerlicher: American singer-songwriter
• Jacob Gerlicher: German-born American entrepreneur
• Oliphant Gerlicher: American politician
• Joseph Gerlicher Jr.: American marketer
• Walther Gerlicher: German zoologist
• Helmut H. Gerlicher: German physician and politician

Other surnames

Gerlich