Surname Gerritsma - Meaning and Origin
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Gerritsma: What does the surname Gerritsma mean?
The last name Gerritsma is derived from the Dutch given name Gerrit, which is derived from the Germanic name 'Gerhard'. The name is composed of two elements, 'ger' which means 'spear' and 'hard' which means 'strong'. Together they produce the meaning of a strong or brave spearman.
The name likely originated as a surname used to refer to someone who was related to or came from a family with strong military heritage. It may have also been used to describe someone who had a strong personality, or was known for bravely defending their homeland or family.
Gerritsma is a very old and common name that has been used in Europe for centuries. It is most common in the Netherlands, however it is also found in Germany, Denmark, and other Germanic countries.
Although the spelling of Gerritsma is mostly standard, other variations of the name exist, such as Gerritsman and Gerritsema. These variations are common throughout Europe and can be used to research the ancestral locations of individuals with this surname.
No matter the exact spelling, the Gerritsma family is outwardly proud of their rich and varied heritage, and will continue to pass down the stories and traditions of their ancestors for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisGerritsma: Where does the name Gerritsma come from?
The last name Gerritsma is most commonly found in the Netherlands today. It is a Dutch surname and is most commonly found in the Dutch provinces of Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe. According to the telephone directory in the Netherlands, there are over 800 people with the last name of Gerritsma in the Netherlands.
Gerritsma is derived from a German personal name composed of the elements ger meaning “spear” or “hostile” and rid or rud meaning “power” or “glory”. The name was commonly used in Northwestern Germany, specifically in Oldenburg and East Frisia.
The Gerritsma surname may be found in other areas of the world, such as North America and Europe. In North America, the surname is most common in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta. In Europe, the Netherlands remains the most common, but there are small pockets of the name found in Belgium and Germany, as well.
It is interesting to note that many Gerritsma people can trace their heritage back to the late 1600s-1700s. There were many members of the family that immigrated around this time to Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Overall, the surname Gerritsma remains relatively common today in several provinces of the Netherlands, as well as in small numbers in other regions of the world including North America and Europe.
Variations of the surname Gerritsma
The surname Gerritsma is derived from the Dutch given name "Gerrit," which also comes in the alternate spelling Gerhard. This surname can be found in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and other countries where Dutch emigrants resettled.
Variations of the Gerritsma surname include Gerritse, Gerrits, Gerritzen, Gerritsz, Gerritsmae, Gerritson, Geralts, Gerbians, Gerritzenaar, Gerritts, and Geraerts.
In the U.S. and Canada, Gerritsma can be written as Gerrits and Gerrema. In other parts of the world, it can be spelled as Gerritt, Gerritz, and Gerratts.
For those who trace their ancestry to the Dutch province of Friesland, the surname is often written as Gerritsma with a double "m.”
Some related surnames include Gerritts, Geerts, Geraerts, Gerrants, Gerretsen, and Geertsma.
The Gerritsma surname is ultimately derived from the given name Gerhard -- a Germanic name meaning “strong warrior.” This name, in its various spelling forms, is still in use today, although it is often shortened to its nicknames such as Gerry, Jerry, and Gert.
Famous people with the name Gerritsma
- Willem Gerritsma: Willem Gerritsma is a Dutch politician and lawyer who currently holds several important governmental posts. From 2017 till 2019, he served as State Secretary for Defense. He also chaired the Daniël den Hoed Foundation, an organization responsible for the management and care of hospitalized cancer patients, and the Air Rescue Service of the Netherlands.
- Joop Gerritsma: Joop Gerritsma is a Dutch entrepreneur and former CEO of KPN, the largest telecommunications and IT services provider in the Netherlands. As CEO of KPN, he steered the company during the telecommunications boom of the 1990s and was a key figure in the further development of modern telecoms and IT services.
- Paul Gerritsma: Paul Gerritsma is a Dutch soccer player who has had a long career in professional club soccer. He played for several major clubs, including Go Ahead Eagles and FC Groningen, and was part of the squad for the Dutch national squad during the 1998 World Cup in France.
- Seerp Gerritsma: Seerp Gerritsma is a Dutch theologian, teacher and writer. He is best known for his works on Dutch Protestantism, and his writings on the history of the historical Jesus have gained him a lot of recognition.
- Henk Gerritsma: Henk Gerritsma is a Dutch actor and voice actor best known for his roles in popular television programs such as “Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden,” “Aspe,” and “Toren C.” He has been a part of the Dutch entertainment industry since the late 1980s.