Surname Gehrking - Meaning and Origin
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Gehrking: What does the surname Gehrking mean?
The last name Gehrking most likely originated as a German occupational surname derived from the Old High German word "gerochen," meaning "skilled in one's trade." It originally denoted the occupation of a professional craftsperson, which could have been a tailor, blacksmith, mason, or hatter. Traditionally members of this last name worked at a variety of trades, and so individuals are likely spread across generations with varying occupations.
Gehrking is thought to be a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally the name of a father's son. As a patronymic name, it is likely taken from a specific ancestor's first name, such as Geric or Gerit, which were both common names in Germany centuries ago. An alternative theory for the origin of this last name is that it originated as a topographic name since it may be a variation of the word "berg" which means hill in German.
Gehrking is a relatively rare surname, especially in North America. It is much more commonly found in Germany and other parts of Europe. Since the 1960s, the name has become more widespread, with its highest concentration being in the United States.
Overall, Gehrking is a German occupational surname that originated from either the Old High German word "gerochen," meaning "skilled in one's trade," or as a topographic name derived from the German word for hill. It was likely originally the patronymic name of the ancestor with either the first name Geric or Gerit. Today, Gehrking is most commonly found in the United States, but its highest concentration is still in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisGehrking: Where does the name Gehrking come from?
The last name Gehrking is most common in Germany today. According to the German Census of 2019, Gehrking is the 1,252nd most common German surname, meaning it is found in approximately 0.05 percent of the German population. The origin of the name is uncertain, though some speculate it is from a Low German word “gewinkel,” which means “slight corner.” Gehrking is also found in other countries across Europe, notably in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.
Most individuals with the Gehrking surname live in the United States. According to the 2020 US Census database, Gehrking is the 18,651st most common last name in the United States, indicating it is present in roughly 0.01 percent of the population. An analysis of the most recent US Census data reveals that the states with the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Gehrking are Virginia, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and New York. This data suggests that the majority of Gehrking's in the United States descend from immigrants primarily from Germany and northwestern Europe.
It is likely that many Gehrkings in the US today are related in some way. Records of the name dating back to colonial America suggest that several families of German and Dutch immigrants in the Pennsylvania area used the name. In other respects, though, the name may have spread far and wide among different families across the United States and Europe, as names tend to do.
Variations of the surname Gehrking
The surname Gehrking is a German patronymic name deriving from the personal name Gerhard meaning “brave spear.” It was also a popular name among Germanic princes. The variants of the surname include Gehring, Gehrke, Gehrkens, Gehrkingen, Gehrkensen, Gehrken, Grosserking, Gehrman, Gerken, Gerking, and Garke.
In some cases, the surname may have been altered by association with a place-name. For example, if a family originated in the German town of Giehr, the surname Girsch (or Giersch)may have become Gehring or Gehrke. Similarly, if the family resided in the town of Gerken, their surname may have become Gerken.
Spellings of the surname Gehrking include Gährken, Gehring, Gering, Gehrke, Gehrkens, Geringen, Gehrkensen, Gerken, Gerking, Garke, Gehrkingen, and Großerking.
In the United States, the surname is slightly more common than the original German form. The top five states with the highest population of Gehrking include California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New Jersey.
The Gehrking surname is considered a “frequent name” and is believed to have remained largely unchanged since its origin in middle-age Germany. It is still a widely used surname among families with Germanic origins.
Famous people with the name Gehrking
- Carl Gehrking: a well-known American physicist and aeronautical engineer, who worked on the supersonic transport, soaring, and space exploration programs.
- Werner Gehrking: a German illustrator, editorial cartoonist, and athlete.
- Jörg Gehrking: a German former ski jumper who competed at the Winter Olympics.
- Peter Gehrking: an American-born Swiss basketball player and coach.
- Nikita Gehrking: a Hollywood costume designer and fashion designer.
- Martin Gehrking: a German former ice hockey player.
- Christopher Gehrking: a Canadian international women's ice hockey forward.
- Uli Gehrking: an international rhythmic gymnast from Germany.
- Lothar Gehrking: a German civilized footballer.
- Charlotte Gehrking: a German rhythmic gymnast, Olympic medallist and three-time world champion.