Surname Geear - Meaning and Origin
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Geear: What does the surname Geear mean?
The last name Geear has Germanic origins and is believed to have been used to describe a person who lived near or in a marsh or swamp. It was used as a descriptive surname to signify where a person lived and provide easy identification of a family or individual person.
The origin of this surname is most likely derived from Lowe German where the word ‘gee’ means, ‘in the marsh’ and ‘are’ meaning, ‘the one’ or ‘that place’. This combination ‘gee-are’ is phonetically similar to the surname ‘Geear’.
In olden times, names of places were also used as descriptive surnames so it’s possible that the surname could also be associated with a specific place name that had marsh or swamp nearby.
As with many surnames of Germanic origin, those bearing the name Geear would have looked to find new homes across the continent. Many of these families could be found in England, the Netherlands, and America throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
Today the surname Geear is not very common however it is still used in certain countries including Austria and Germany. Those with the surname still living in the areas where they originated are likely to have more Germanic roots that the other countries in which the surname can be found.
Order DNA origin analysisGeear: Where does the name Geear come from?
The surname Geear is relatively uncommon today, though records can still be found in a few countries over the world. The most concentrated concentration of the name is found in the United States, particularly in states like Kentucky, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Outside the US, the most common locations for this name to be found include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany.
In the US, Geear is most popular in the South. Almost all the records of people with this surname are found in the states of Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas. A good portion of these are records of individuals in the military. The earliest records of people with the surname go back to the eighteen hundreds, when individuals with the surname immigrated from England to America.
Outside of the US, the surname Geear is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Germany. In the UK, records indicate the strongest concentration of the name in great cities such as London and Manchester. Records from the last century show that there are still individuals in Germany with the surname Geear, mostly in the western part of the country especially in and around the city of Dusseldorf.
Although not particularly common, the surname Geear still has some presence around the world today. In the US, it is concentrated mostly in the South, but individuals can also be found in the UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Geear
The surnames Geear and Gear are variants of the same origin. Both spellings are found in England, Ireland, and the United States. The Geear spelling is thought to originate in England, while Gear is found in Ireland and America.
The earliest recorded spelling of the surname Gear was found in the year 1066 in the Domesday Book of England, which listed Robert Godric as having the name Gear. The modern Geear spelling does not appear in records until the 16th century.
The Geear surname is derived from the Old English word gearwe, which means "gardener" or "cultivator". The Gear surname, on the other hand, is derived from the Old Irish name O’Gadhra which is derived from the word “gadar,” meaning fierce.
An alternate spelling of Geear is Gier. This variant is thought to originate in both Germany and Scotland. Other derivative surnames of the same origin include Gär, Gehr, Gehehr, Gehre, and Gehrke.
The Gear and Geear surnames have many derivatives that are found in many countries including Germany, Ireland, Scotland, England, and the United States. Many spelling variants, both modern and traditional, exist of these two surnames.
Famous people with the name Geear
- Rob Geear: American actor who has appeared in films such as Red 2 and Epic Movie.
- Keith Gear: American actor who has appeared in various tv shows including NCIS: Los Angeles and Parks and Recreation.
- Marc Geear: British music producer who has worked with artists such as The Script and Robbie Williams.
- Oliver Geear: American painter whose work has been exhibited in New York, Toronto, and Tokyo.
- Peter Geear: Canadian illustrator who has created artwork for multiple comic books, novels, and magazines.
- Sarah Geear: Canadian photographer and creative director who has been commissioned by National Geographic and The New York Times.
- Sue Geear: British costume designer who has worked on the films Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
- Deborah Geear: American author who has written multiple books for young readers.
- David Geear: American musician and composer who has released several albums and EPs.
- Alexandra Geear: Canadian ballerina who has performed with various ballet companies throughout the United States and Canada.