Surname Gehrkens - Meaning and Origin

Gehrkens: What does the surname Gehrkens mean?

The last name Gehrkens is thought to be of German origin, and can be divided up into two words, “Gehr” and “kens”. The former likely comes from the Germanic surname “Göhrke,” while the latter is derived from the Middle High German word “ken.” As such, the name likely means “Göhrke’s child” or “descendant of Göhrke”.

Göhrke is an obscure Germanic name composed of two elements. The first is “Göhr,” and its origin comes from the Old Germanic names “Goero” or “Gaira,” with the latter likely translating to “spear.” The second element is “ke,” a Middle High German word meaning “child.”

There is not much known about the Gehrkens family, but it is thought to have originated in the 12th century in Germany. Over time, people began to settle in other parts of Europe, with the Gehrkens name primarily found in the regions of England, the Netherlands, and France.

In the modern day, the Gehrkens family is quite widely spread, likely due to various migrations and emigrations throughout the centuries. It’s most common in the United States, but can also be found in Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Gehrkens: Where does the name Gehrkens come from?

The last name Gehrkens is most commonly found in Germany today. It can also be found to a lesser extent in several other European countries including, but not limited to, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden. The earliest mention of this name can be found in records dating back to the 13th century.

Gehrkens is the 9th most common surname in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and is particularly prominent in the west of that region. It is also one of the top 100 surnames found in the Netherlands, located to the north of Germany. It ranks high in Utrecht, the country's most populous province.

Within Germany, Gehrkens is a fairly common name in small towns and rural areas. While the surname is not as frequently seen in large cities, such as Berlin or Frankfurt, it can be found in more rural areas as well as some parts of the Ruhr region in the west.

Though it is uncertain exactly where the Gehrkens family originated, it is believed that it was first found in the Dutch province of Friesland. The name is thought to have come from the Frisian words 'gher' or 'gar', meaning to hoe or dig, and 'kens', meaning cattle. This could indicate that the family was once involved in agriculture or livestock activities.

The family name Gehrkens could have been in use for over 700 years, making it one of the oldest and most widely-spread surnames of European origin.

Variations of the surname Gehrkens

The surnames Gehrkens and Gehricke both originate from the Ancient Germanic name "Gerhard," meaning "brave spear" or "spear carrier." This name is believed to have been popularized throughout Europe by the medieval crusades and knighting ceremonies. Initially, the name was spelled "Gerhard," and it was later adapted to various dialects and cultures, eventually finding its way to the Netherlands as Gehrkens and Gehricke.

Gehrkens is the standardized spelling for the surname. It has several alternative spellings, including Gehricke, Gerkens, Gehrings, Gearkens, Gearings, Gerricks, Gering, Gerarde, Geerdes, and Geerlings.

In addition to the different spellings of the same name, there are several distinct surnames related to the name Gehrkens. Two of these surnames are Gerken and Gericke, both of which are believed to have stemmed from the same ancient root. Other related surnames include Gerlock, Gerreck, and Gryken.

Gehrkens is a common surname among Dutch-Americans, as well as Germans that have migrated to the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. The surname can also be found in areas of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Regardless of spelling or origin, Gehrkens is a surname originating from the Medieval Germanic name Gerhard. Although many spellings can be found throughout Europe and the Americas, there is no definite origin for any particular spelling of the name. Even with the various surname spellings, the Gehrkens family remains linked by its common ancestry.

Famous people with the name Gehrkens

• Karen Gehrkens: Karen Gehrkens is the daughter of a former US ambassador to Mexico, John Gehrkens. She has been a successful businesswoman and is currently the Global Technology Practice Chair at Dentons, the world's largest law firm.
• Athena Gehrkens: Athena Gehrkens is an American architect and the founder of Thomas Gehrkens, an architecture firm.
• Peter Gehrkens: Peter Gehrkens is an avid piano player and composer from San Diego. He has had over twelve albums published and his music has been performed by renowned orchestras.
• John Gehrkens: John Gehrkens is former US Ambassador to Mexico and former National Security Advisor to President George H.W. Bush. He is currently a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
• Johann Gehrkens: Johann Gehrkens is a German composer and pianist. He is best known for his works for Symphony Orchestra, cello, and piano.
• Ulrich Gehrkens: Ulrich Gehrkens is a German art historian and collector. He has written numerous books about twentieth century art and is the founder of KulturSinde, a research center for art and culture in Berlin.
• Thomas Gehrkens: Thomas Gehrkens is an American architect. He is the founder of the architecture firm Thomas Gehrkens.
• Edoardo Gehrkens: Edoardo Gehrkens is an Italian-American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Gehrkens Enterprises, a conglomerate of Italian companies including wineries, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.
• Helmut Gehrkens: Helmut Gehrkens is a German economist and professor. He is currently a professor of economic history at the University of Freiburg in Germany.
• Regine Gehrkens: Regine Gehrkens is a German actor. She is best known for her work in the television series "Deutschland 83" and the films "Au Revoir Là-Haut" and "Das weiße Band".

Other surnames

GehrkeGehrken