Surname Gernke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gernke: What does the surname Gernke mean?
The last name Gernke is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Gernot, which is a German form of Gerard. The name is derived from the Germanic elements "geri" meaning "spear" and "hardu" meaning "hard." It was also a name used by Germanic and Old French settlers in Medieval England.
Historically, Gernke was likely to be a nickname or occupational surname for a skilled spear maker, or someone who was exceptionally brave in battle. This would have been a common name among warriors at the time, and would have indicated strength and bravery.
The Gernke surname is usually found in northern Germany, especially in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and lower Saxony. It is also found in areas that were formerly German, such as areas of Poland and Russia that used to have sizeable German populations. It can also be found in countries where many Germans settled, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In recent years, Gernke has not been a popular name in Germany and is relatively rare. However, the Gernke surname is still found in many countries around the world, often associated with the same Germanic origins and associated strength and bravery.
Order DNA origin analysisGernke: Where does the name Gernke come from?
The surname Gernke is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is estimated that approximately 8,000 people bear the surname. It is thought to have originated in West Prussia and is thought to be derived from the German word “Gernken,” meaning “to grumble.” The name can be found in records as early as the 16th century, when the surname was found among segment of the German nobility. It also appears in records from other countries including Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia, where some of the earliest Gernke emigrants settled in the 1700s.
The surname may also be found in record in other peripheral German-speaking regions such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, the Gernke surname has been known to appear in the United States, where it was introduced by German immigrants who settled there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As of the most recent census, there are over 1,000 people with the Gernke surname in the United States.
This surname can also be found in other countries, albeit to a lesser degree. According to one source, there are approximately 200 Gernkes living in the United Kingdom and Canada, and a few hundred more in Australia, South America, and other areas of Europe.
Variations of the surname Gernke
Gernke is a surname of German origin, and is found throughout Europe. The most common variants of the name are Gernke, Garnke, Gernae, Garnae, Gerna, Garna, Gernke and Garnke. It is also sometimes spelled as Gamke, Gernbecke, Gernbec, Gernbeck, Gernbeckers and Gernbacher.
In Austria, the most common variant is Gernke, while in Germany it is Gernke and Gernae. In Poland, the forms are usually Gernke and Garnke, while in the Czech Republic the forms are Gernae and Garnke. In Slovakia the variants are usually Gernae and Garnae. In the Netherlands the variants are Gernke and its Dutch spelling Gernke. In the United States and Canada, the variants are generally Gernke, Gernbeck, Gernbecke, and Gernbachers.
In Finland, the forms are usually Gernke and Generke, while in Sweden the form is usually Gernke as well, and in the Netherlands, Gernke and its Dutch spelling Gernke are the most common variants.
In Latin America, many Latinized versions of Gernke exist, with the most common being Germanki, Germank and Gernki.
In East Central Europe, the variants are usually Gernke, Gernae and Garnke.
In addition to the variants, there are also some surnames that have similar spellings and meanings such as Jarnik, Gerniy, Garinak, Gairenke, Gerniak, Gernau, Germain, and Gernhoff.
Overall, there are numerous variants and spellings of the Gernke surname that exist throughout Europe and across the world today.
Famous people with the name Gernke
- Adam Gernke: Actor, Voice Actor, and Writer
- Patricia Gernke: Writer
- Mark Gernke: Actor
- Oron Gernke: Artist
- Jerry Gernke: Professional Basketball Player
- Jaime Gernke: Professional Golfer
- Janice Gernke: Professional Dancer
- Stephen Gernke: Musician
- Megan Gernke: Professional Figure Skater
- Bob Gernke: Basketball Coach
- Carolyne Gernke: Model, Actress, and Singer
- Mar la Gernke: TV and Film Producer
- Timothy Gernke: Television Broadcasting Director
- Janice Gernke:Chef
- William Gernke: Writer, Publisher, and Entrepreneur
- Doreen Gernke: Founder and CEO of a Nonprofit Organisation