Surname Geers - Meaning and Origin
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Geers: What does the surname Geers mean?
The last name Geers is an anglicized Dutch name. It is derived from the Dutch personal name "Gery" which is a short form of "Gerald". It is believed that the surname Geers first arose in the regions of the Low Countries, now known as Belgium and the Netherlands, sometime in the early 1500s.
The surname Geers is an occupational last name referring to a tiler or roofer. It is derived from the Dutch word "geer" which means "tile". This reflects that the original bearers of this surname were individuals who worked with tiles as a profession. It could also be used to describe someone who lived in a house with tiles on its roof. Over time, the name evolved to reflect the surname of either the tiler or anyone associated with that profession.
Today, the surname Geers is widely distributed throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Australia, the US, and other parts of the English speaking world. It is most prevalent in the Netherlands where the spelling is typically "Geers". In countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, the spelling of the surname may vary, with the most common being "Geer".
The meaning of the last name Geers is reflective of the origins of the name and the profession of the individuals who carried it. As a result, this last name can be seen as a representation of the accomplishments and hard work of its bearers throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisGeers: Where does the name Geers come from?
The last name Geers is most commonly found in the northern and western regions of Germany, as well as in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. This is due to the fact that, historically, the name is of Germanic origin. The surname is one of the oldest surnames recorded in Germany, with records dating back to 1221, and could even have been in use since the early middle ages.
Across the rest of Europe, the Geers name is less common. But, there are a few pockets of populations that use the name, such as a few in Switzerland, Spain and Italy.
In the United States, the last name Geers is much less common, with most population being descendants of German immigrants. It can be found scattered amongst the US population, with states such as California and New York having the most concentrated populations.
There are even fewer instances of the name Geers in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, with very few families bearing the name. Similarly, in Africa and Latin America there are fewer Geers populations, but there are a few families that bear the last name.
No matter where you find it, the last name Geers is a rare and distinguished one.
Variations of the surname Geers
The surname Geers has a plethora of variants, spellings, and surnames from the same origin. These include Gusse, Gaerer, Guspius, Gaus, Gause, Guser, Güsse, Güser, Güse, Güsser, Gaertner, Gaers, Gaerse, Gäertner, and Gärse.
Gaus is the oldest variant of the Geers surname and is a diminutive form of the name Gaugard. It is likely derived from the Middle High German word "gwahsen," which means "to perform with strength and bravery." Gaerer likely derives from the Middle High German word "gwah," meaning "powerful/fierce."
Guser is a common variant of Geers, and has a variety of spellings depending on the region the name is found in. It is derived from the Middle High German word "gesür," which means "guide/leader."
Gusse is the Dutch language version of the surname, and likely derives from the Old Dutch word "gōs," meaning "stubborn." The variants Gaertner and Gäertner are derived from the occupation of being a gardener in German.
Gaers and Gaerse likely stem from the Middle High German word "gwahser," which means "guard/sentry." Similarly, Gärse likely derives from the Middle High German word "gwahsen," meaning "to perform with strength and courage." Guspius and Güsse are two other Scandanavian variants, and are derived from the Old Norse word "gúpn," meaning "grudging/stingy."
In summary, the surname Geers has numerous variants, spellsings, and surnames from the same origin. These include Gusse, Gaerer, Guspius, Gaus, Gause, Guser, Güsse, Güser, Güse, Güsser, Gaertner, Gaers, Gaerse, Gäertner, and Gärse.
Famous people with the name Geers
- Thomas Geers: Professional cyclist and winner of numerous Belgian National Championships.
- Evert Geers: Dutch professional cyclist, participant in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
- Alexander Geers: German pianist who has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Berlin’s Konzerthaus.
- Oscar Geers: Belgian artist, known for his sculptures and bronze sculptures.
- Maria Magdalena Geers: Dutch painter and cartoonist, known for her artworks that feature human anatomy.
- Christiaan Geers: Belgian actor and director, best known for his roles in television films such as Van Gogh, his Family and The Letter.
- Nico Geers: Belgian music producer and sound engineer, most noted for his work with artists like L.A.U., Carla Bley, Norah Jones, and Billy Joel.
- Armin Geers: Swiss-German businessman and entrepreneur, founder and CEO of the architectural design firm G Design.
- Karla Geers: Dutch author and illustrator, best known for her children’s books about animals.
- Tobias Geers: German soccer player, played in the Bundesliga and various international leagues.