Surname Gerharz - Meaning and Origin
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Gerharz: What does the surname Gerharz mean?
The last name Gerharz is derived from the Germanic language and is a form of the surname Gerhard. One of its earliest records is found in a manuscript from July 1358 C.E. The name is derived from the Germanic words 'ger', meaning spear, and 'hard', meaning strong. This indicates either someone who was strong and valiant in battle or someone who was an expert armourer, specializing in making spears and other weapons.
Gerharz may also have derived from the Hebrew name of Gershom, which is formed from the elements ger, meaning 'stranger', and sham, meaning 'there' or 'name'. This interpretation points to a sojourner in new lands, or a family that had been relocated from one place to another.
Whoever the family was, it appears that 'Gerharz' was an apt name for them. It could refer to a person or family that was hardworking, brave, and steadfast in difficult times, and sign of their strength and resilience. It could also signify a family of travellers who had seen many places, adapting to different cultures and customs, overcoming trials and emerging triumphant. It's a reminder of the power of the human spirit, no matter the origin or affliction.
Order DNA origin analysisGerharz: Where does the name Gerharz come from?
The last name Gerharz is most commonly found in Germany, though it is not as widely used as some other German surnames. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The name is an occupational name, taken from the activities of its first bearers centuries ago; it comes from the Germanic elements ger ‘spear’ and hartz ‘hard’.
Most of the people who carry the name today live in German-speaking nations, though it also occurs in other countries where people of German descent have settled. It is not especially common today, but it can be found throughout the German-speaking region of Europe. A few descendants of the earliest settlers have also emigrated to the United States and Canada.
for instance, new york city, for example, the records of st. Patrick's old cathedral parish contain a marriage between mathias gerhard and magdalena hensel, both of whom were born in germany. Later, another catholic parish church in new york city, st. mary's old cathedral, recorded the baptism of their son john gerhard in 1845.
Modern day records have traces of the Gerharz name in countries ranging from the United States to Australia. It has a lasting presence in Germany in particular but can be found elsewhere in the world.
Variations of the surname Gerharz
Gerharz is a German surname derived from the name Garhard or Gerhard. It is a patronymic name derived from the Germanic personal name Gerhard which means Brave or Strong Spear. The variants and spellings of the name Gerharz include Gerhard, Gerhart, Gerhardt, and Garhardt. Other variants may also include Gearhart, Garhart, Garhardus, Garherdt, and Gerharz.
The hyphenated version of the name Gerharz is commonly found as Ger-Harz and Ger-Harzt. This is seen in some areas as a way to combine both spellings of Gerhard and Harz, which is a region in Germany. Along with the German form of the name also exists an Austrian form of the name, Ger Hart.
Variants of the name from other origins include Gerards (Dutch), Jergins (Polish), and Gherhard (Italian). Alternate surnames such as Gerhartz, Gergen, and Ghirardi are related to the Gerharz surname as well.
Modern iterations of Gerharz include Gerhards, Garhartz, Gerhartz, Garhartt, Jerhard, Jerhartz, and Jerhartt. Many of these have German origins and derive from a similar name meaning.
The historical variations of the name Gerharz tend to reflect different regions’ particular cultures and language, making the surname an important part of genealogical research. It can be difficult to trace a family’s surname line if there are variations due to changes in immigration over time. By searching for these different surnames, it is possible to uncover the origins and history of a family name.
Famous people with the name Gerharz
- Katharina Gerharz: German diver who participated in the 2012 London Olympics
- Clara Gerharz: German TV actress
- Diana Gerharz: German researcher in the field of occupational health
- Werner Gerharz: German philosopher and professor
- Ella Gerharz: German businesswoman and corporate leader
- Ellen Gerharz: German artist specializing in glass art
- Bernhard Gerharz: German physicist and astrophysicist
- Boris Gerharz: German professional soccer player
- Alexander Gerharz: German entrepreneur and investor
- Olaf Gerharz: German clarinetist and composer
- Henning Gerharz: German chemist and professor
- Wolfgang Gerharz: German businessman and entrepreneur
- Andreas Gerharz: German footballer and manager
- Sascha Gerharz: German radio presenter and DJ
- Ludwig Gerharz: German information theorist and mathematician
- Ingrid Gerharz: German actress
- Holger Gerharz: German musician and producer
- Frank Gerharz: German design engineer and professor
- Uwe Gerharz: German sports journalist
- Guenter Gerharz: German political scientist and professor
- Monika Gerharz: German sports reporter and TV presenter
- Joachim Gerharz: German archeologist and professor
- Christoph Gerharz: German financial consultant
- Connie Gerharz: German author and lecturer
- Ulla Gerharz: German painter and sculptor