Surname Geertsma - Meaning and Origin

Geertsma: What does the surname Geertsma mean?

The last name Geertsma is of Dutch origin, and is likely derived from a combination of two Dutch words, "geert" and "sma". Geert is an old-fashioned Dutch word for "rooster," and sma signifies "strict," meaning that the bearer of this name may have been known for their stern and disciplined demeanor.

In culture, Geertsma was also used to indicate a profession. Historically, people who bore this surname were from farming families and were often butchers. In other cases, the name was used to describe a person who was a miller, an activity that was also considered a symbol of strength and discipline.

Today, the Geertsma surname remains quite common in the Netherlands. Geertsma is a patronymic name, meaning that it is derived from the first name of one's father or ancestor. Geertsma is the 24th most common surname in the Netherlands, and can occasionally be found in other parts of Western Europe as well.

The Geertsma surname is a reminder that the Dutch culture is steeped in tradition, and that Dutch people value discipline and hard work. Historically, the old-fashioned Dutch word "geert" has been used to symbolize the strength and grit of the hardworking individuals throughout Holland. The name has been passed down through generations of Dutch people who have always worked hard in order to maintain their livelihood.

Geertsma: Where does the name Geertsma come from?

The last name Geertsma is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the father's first name. Thus, the surname literally means "son of Geert", with "Geert" being a popular Dutch given name in the past.

Today, the Geertsma surname is found throughout the Netherlands. From the north coast to the south, the surname is most common in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland, Flevoland, and Utrecht.

The Geertsma surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, including Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. It would appear that European migration patterns have helped spread the Geertsma name over the last few centuries.

In fact, the surname can be found all over the world today, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Latin America, to name a few. The Commonwealth countries in particular seem to have quite a few Geertsmas.

Ultimately, the surname Geertsma is derived from an old Dutch given name. Although it is most common in the Netherlands, over time it has spread around the world, particularly to areas populated by Dutch settlers. Today, the surname can be found in many different countries, including the Netherlands, but also many others.

Variations of the surname Geertsma

Geertsma is a Dutch surname of habitational origin, having been derived from place names beginning with the element “Geert” (farmstead). Variations and alternate spellings of the surname Geertsma include the Dutch Gerretsma, Gerritsma, Gerritsme, Gerritzma, and Gerritzme, as well as variants such as Geertsema, Geertsme, Geertz, Geertzema, Geertzme, Gertsma, Gertsme, Gortzma, and Grutsma. It is noteworthy that while some of the variants begin with the letter G, many begin with the letter J, as in the Dutch Jacobsema, Jacobsma, Jacobzma, Jacobzme, Jakobsma, Jakobzma, Jansema, and Jansma.

The Dutch habitation surnames are typically derived from a placename near a person’s ancestral home. This type of name could be a hamlet, village, town, or farmstead. It is likely that these variants of Geertsma are derived from places with similar names, although in some cases the exact origin is not known. In addition, the endings of these variants may reflect the Dutch word for “farm” as evident in the -sma and -me endings.

The surname Geertsma has also been established in countries outside of The Netherlands; the surnames Gerretsma and Jacobsma, for instance, have seen a presence in Germany in some areas. Those with the surname Geertsma can trace their family lineage back to Europe in the 16th century. In addition, some of the variants remain common in other parts of Europe, such as in Sweden, Belgium, and France.

Famous people with the name Geertsma

• Pieter Geertsma: Dutch theologian and church historian from the early twentieth century
• Jan Geertsma: Dutch jurist, diplomat, and professor associated with the University of Groningen
• Peter Geertsma: Dutch politician and an architect of the 2005 Constitution of the Netherlands
• Hilbrand Geertsma: Dutch organist and conductor, known for his Secondary Modern School Choir
• Renate Geertsma: Dutch political scientist and specialist in European integration
• Fries Geertsma: Dutch painter and graphic artist
• Tom Geertsma: Dutch film director, best known for his 2016 film Highrise
• Tûke Geertsma: Frisian writer, essayist, poet, and playwright
• Doede Geertsma: Dutch actor and singer, known for his roles in movies like In Holland staat een Huis (2013) and 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016).
• Jelle Geertsma: Dutch singer-songwriter and guitarist, known for his diverse folk/blues-style Americana music

Other surnames

GeertsGeertsema