Surname Geercke - Meaning and Origin

Geercke: What does the surname Geercke mean?

The last name Geercke is a German name, derived from the Middle High German work gerke, meaning a “hurdle”. The use of this name likely originated as an occupational name to describe an individual who worked with hurdles, which was an important element of construction, both militarily and agriculturally.

The earliest recorded instances of this name date back to the 1600s in the area of Brandenburg, a historical German region located on the east side of the Elbe River. It is believed that those bearing the name Geercke were likely of lower to middle class standings before the Industrial Revolution, as the name was used to identify individuals who were associated with specific trades and crafts.

Over time, those with the name migrated to other parts of Germany, as well as to the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe. There are many variations to the spelling of this name, including Gerke, Gercke, Geerke, Gierke, and Gercken.

Today, those with the Geercke surname are proud of their lineage and their historical connection to the difficulty and labor associated with making hurdles. Despite all the changes in the world since the 1600s, the name Geercke is still carried with pride by many families worldwide.

Geercke: Where does the name Geercke come from?

The last name Geercke is most commonly found in Germany today. It likely originated from one of the numerous German states such as Prussia or Saxony. It could have been derived from a Germanic personal name (such as 'Gerick'), or from a place name related to the Old High German word 'gari' meaning 'spear'.

The name is still recorded in Germany in areas surrounding large cities, such as Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. As of 2019, the United States had approximately 164 people with the last name Geercke, with most living in the Midwest, Northeast and Midwest, concentrated around Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Many Geerckes have also emigrated to Canada, England and Australia.

The Geercke name has evolved over time. For example, the 19th century immigration to America saw some anglicization of the form, leading to variants such as Garke or Gerke. On the other hand, some branches in Germany still keep the original spelling of Geercke.

In general, the Geercke name is typically associated with large parts of Germany as well as Smaller parts of Europe, America and Canada. As such, it is likely to remain fairly common around the world for a long time.

Variations of the surname Geercke

Geercke is an old German and Dutch surname. It is most commonly found in Germany, The Netherlands, and the United States. The variants of the Geercke surname are Gercken, Gerken, Gerckes, Gerkes, and Gercke.

The Dutch spelling of Geercke is Gercken, with the accepted variants being Gerkes and Gerken. It is most commonly found in the provinces of Gelderland, Limburg, Overijssel, and Noord Holland.

In the United States, the variant spellings of Geercke are Gercke, Gerckes, Gercken, Gerken, and Gerkes. It is most commonly found in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The Geercke surname is of German origin, although a few Dutch branches have adopted the name. The surname is thought to have originated from the personal name Ger or Gerhard, which was derived from the Germanic elements “ger” meaning spear and “hard” meaning hardy or brave.

The surnames and spellings of the same origin for Geercke include Gercken, Gerken, Gerckes, Gerkes, and Gercke.

Famous people with the name Geercke

• Bernd Geercke: Former professional tennis player and coach.
• Anne Geercke: Retired German athlete who specialized in 100 metres and 200 metres.
• Johann Geercke: German Lutheran hymnwriter, author and pastor.
• Sophie Geercke: German stage actress.
• Tobias Geercke: German television host best known for his work on the weekly sports program “Bundesliga Kick-off”.
• Laura Geercke: German track athlete who specialized in the 400 metres, 800 metres and 1500 metres.
• Henning Geercke: Actor most recognized for his film roles in “The Captain” (2017) and “Eyes of Winter” (2018).
• Ray Geercke: Professional soccer player who competed in the German Bundesliga from 1982-85.
• Flannery Geercke: Stage actress who made her Broadway debut in John Guare’s “Chamber Music” in 1977.
• Sam Geercke: Actor and stuntman best known for his appearances in “X-Men: First Class” (2011) and the TV series “Grey’s Anatomy” (2014).
• Tanja Geercke: German theatre director and actress.
• Axel Geercke: German sports trainer, physical therapist, and author of the book “Trainings MVP 3.0”.
• Stefan Geercke: German actor, best known for his work in “Tatort” (1972) and “Der Pfeifer von Salzburg” (1976).
• Sabine Geercke: German sculptor, mainly known for her abstract bronze sculptures.
• Amelie Geercke: German voice actress, known for her roles in “Die fantastischen Vier” (1997) and “Die Eiserne Faust” (2015).

Other surnames

Geercken