Surname Gerth - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Unraveling the Gerth Lineage: A Journey of Unexpected Ancestral Discoveries with iGENEA DNA Test
After utilizing the innovative DNA test from iGENEA, I discovered unexpected insights into my Gerth lineage. From Celtic roots to seafaring ancients and a lineage of artists, each revelation changed my perception about myself, influencing my understanding of my inherited traits.
F. Gerth
read moreGerth: What does the surname Gerth mean?
The last name Gerth is of German origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the given name Gerhart, which is derived from the Old High German words ger (meaning “spear”) and hard (“strong”, “hardy”, “severe”, or “bold”). Combined, these two words create the meaning “Spear-strong”.
In the Middle Ages, people often took last names that described characteristics or aspects of their personality. In this case, Gerth was likely taken as a last name by someone who wanted to demonstrate their courage, strength, and bravery.
The surname Gerth is most common in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, though it is also found in Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary. The spelling might vary from place to place, with other versions of the name being Gerrys, Gehrt, Göhrt, Gehrts, Gerts, Geerds, Gerdts, Gherts, and Gehratts.
The name is not particularly common in the United States, though there are scattered families with the name in most states. Those with this last name are likely to be descended from German immigrants who came to America in the 1700s or 1800s in search of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisGerth: Where does the name Gerth come from?
The last name Gerth is often associated with Germany, where it is the 15th most common surname. It is also common among people of German descent in the United States and other countries around the world, including Brazil, Australia, and Canada.
In Germany, the name Gerth is thought to date back to the 8th century and is derived from the medieval German language. The name is derived from the root word, “Geruth”, meaning “inheritance” or “right of inheritance”. It was usually found among families with noble backgrounds who enjoyed privileges such as noble titles and landholdings. Many of these families can trace their ancestry to the Middle Ages or Imperial Germany.
In the United States, the name Gerth was brought here by Dutch and German immigrants in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. At that time, German last names were standardized by the American government, resulting in spelling variations like “Gertz”, “Garth”, and “Garth”. German settlers were concentrated mainly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Texas. Today, the highest concentration of people with the last name Gerth is in Wisconsin.
In Australia, the last name is more commonly spelt Garth, and it is thought this is due to the large influx of British settlers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The name is not terribly common in Australia, but it can be found in New South Wales and Victoria.
In Brazil, Gerth is spelt “Gerthe” and the family is thought to have migrated there from Germany. Some trace their heritage from Germany via Uruguay, where it is also common.
Overall, the last name Gerth is most common in countries with populations of German descent, although its spelling can vary significantly depending on the country.
Variations of the surname Gerth
The surname Gerth is an ancient German name that was derived from the occupational name gereht, which meant somebody who supervised, cut, or peeled the hay in the meadows. The modern spellings of the surname Gerth vary depending on the geographical area and include Gerth, Garth, Gert, Gerd, Gerdt, Gerte, Görge, Gercke, and many more.
The surname Gerth is found in many English and German speaking countries, as well as some parts of Scandinavia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In English-speaking countries, variants of the surname Gerth include Garth, Gert, Gertz, Gerd, Garthaus, Gerdt, Gerdts, Gercke, and Gerte.
In Germany, variants of the surname Gerth include Görge, Görger, Garthe, Gehre, Gehrts, Gerhardt, Gerkens, Gerkins, Gerken, Gowehrs, Giesen, Gerdes, Gehrling, Gerding, Grützmacher, Klatt, and Grothe.
In Scandinavia, variants of the surname Gerth include Gert, Gertzen, Gertzén, Gertsen, Gärtzén, Gärd, Gier, Gerigen, Gierog, and Gägel. In Belgian and Dutch countries, the variants of the surname Gerth include Gerards, Gerardsen, Gervais, Gerver, Garvers, Garvè, Garvens, and Gaven.
No matter the spelling or origin, the surname Gerth remains a distinct Germanic surname which can be traced back to a common Germanic ancestor from the medieval 12th century.
Famous people with the name Gerth
- Christian Gerth: Professional bodybuilder and world record holder in the bench press.
- Mel Gerth: American soccer player who played for the New York Cosmos
- Esther Gerth: American television actress, best known for appearing in the adventure series T.H.E. Cat as Raven.
- Tyler Gerth: American Major League Soccer goalkeeper.
- Clay Horace Gerth: United States Representative from Iowa
- Joram Gerth: Dutch artist, sculptor and architect
- Hermann Gerth: German biologist and politician.
- Karl Lunde Gerth: German-Norwegian painter, tile engraver, lithographer and illustrator.
- Eric Gerth: American film producer, director and screenwriter.
- Max Gerth: German physiologist who made meaningful contributions to the field of embryology.
- Max Gerthoffer: German rower who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.
- Bruce Gerth: American professional baseball player.
- Fritz Gerth: German politician and author.
- Gladys Gerth: Canadian suffragist and civil servant.
- Michael Gerth: German football coach who has been in charge of numerous clubs in Germany and Switzerland.
- Johann Gerth: German production designer and art director.
- Wilfrid Stephen Gerth: Canadian lawyer and politician.
- Lothar Gerth: Austrian-born American composer.
- Heinrich Gerth: German photographer and lithographer.
- Bill M. Gerth: American politician and Democratic member of the Kansas House of Representatives.