Surname Gerling - Meaning and Origin

Reconfiguring Ancestral Understanding: A DNA Journey Unveils Unexpected Roots

After undertaking a DNA test at iGENEA, I learned my Gerling lineage, formerly believed to be solely German, was more diverse than I ever imagined. With significant Scandinavian influences, including a surprising connection to the indigenous Sami people, my understanding of my ancestry has significantly expanded, leading me to reassess my identity.

O. Gerling

Gerling: What does the surname Gerling mean?

The last name Gerling originates from Germany and is derived from the German term 'Göhrling', which literally translates to mean 'village' (Göhr) 'man' (ling). This could refer to a person from a particular village, possibly a smallholder or a freeman. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the Middle High German word 'Görel', meaning a 'helper'. It is also possible that it is derived from the German word 'Göhr', meaning an individual with high, strong paths.

The Gerling surname is known to have been in use in the mid to late Middle Ages, and in some form had been in use since the 12th century in the region around Cologne and Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle). As with many German surnames, other variants such as Gorling, Garling, and Gehrling are also found in this area.

The Gerling surname has spread throughout the world and is particularly associated with German descent. Families with this surname can be found in Australia, Canada, the United States, and other countries where families have emigrated from Germany. Many people of Jewish descent have also adopted this surname from non-Jewish German backgrounds.

Overall, the Gerling surname is a unique name with a long history in Germany’s past. It continues to be handed down through Germanic families, and serves to connect them to their roots.

Gerling: Where does the name Gerling come from?

The last name Gerling is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. It is thought to be a Low German (or 'Plattdeutsch') surname, related to the English word 'girl' and the German word 'Mädchen'.

There are records of some Gerling families in the Netherlands and early immigrants to America with this surname. The most prominent German families with this name originated in the North Rhine province, in particular in town of Lünen and surrounding area.

In the United States, the name is more common in states with high populations of German-Americans, such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The states that have a higher frequency of the last name are Ohio, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.

At present, the name is relatively uncommon in the United States. Loosely estimated, there could be around 1,000 people with the last name in the US currently. However, it is more common in Germany with an estimated 24,000 people bearing the name.

There are a few possible origin stories for the name Gerling. It could be derived from the Old German word ‘ger’, meaning ‘spear’, or it could be from the German words ‘geler’ or ‘geller’ meaning ‘yeller’, referring to someone with yellow hair.

The name Gerling can also be traced back to the Middle Ages, with mentions in German manuscripts as early as 1199. Despite its rich history, the name remains relatively uncommon today, with the last name Gerling remaining concentrated in the German-speaking world.

Variations of the surname Gerling

The surname Gerling is of German origin. It was primarily found in Hannover and derived from the German word "Göhring" meaning "seller of precious stones." Variations of this surname include Gerlinger, Geringer, Göhring, Goehring and Gehrman. These different spellings are a result of vowel changes in the German language or errors that arose from transcription from one language to another. Additionally, the 'ers' at the end of the Gerling spelling was often dropped or replaced with a 's', resulting in other variants such as Garling and Garlings. Variants in England and Wales include Girling and Jarlings.

The name Gerling was taken to other countries during the 19th century, when people emigrated for political or economic reasons. In the United States, several thousand Gerlings settled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois. The 1930 US census of German-origin surnames records Gerling as the eighth most common name in the USA.

Variations of the Gerling surname are found in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. In Australia, which from 1848-1859 saw a large influx of immigrants, the spelling of Gerling had some altered variations such as Gorling, Gorlin, Gowell and Guilin. There, the most common spelling is Girling. Similarly, in South Africa some variations are Garlick, Garlic, Garlach, Galick and Gilcick.

Overall, it is clear that Gerling, and its variants, spellings and surnames are all of the same origin, with the diversity of spellings being a result of linguistic alterations and transcription errors across different countries during the emigration of many people with that particular surname.

Famous people with the name Gerling

• Felix Gerling: A German racing driver, active from 1996 to 2006.
• Walter Gerling: A German concert organist and composer of sacred music, active during the mid-twentieth century.
• Katie Gerling: An American musician, active since the early 2000s.
• Jenny Gerling: An American folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, active since the mid-1990s.
• Graeme Gerling: A British musician most famous for his work in the band Gallon Drunk, active since the late 1980s.
• Carl Gerling: An Austrian composer of orchestral music, active since the early 1960s.
• Wesley Gerling: An American actor, active since the early 2000s.
• Gerlinde Gerling: An Austrian pianist, active since the early 1990s.
• Ingolf Gerling: A German journalist and writer, active since the early 2000s.
• Luise Gerling: A German singer and music therapist, active since the early 2000s.
• Hans Gerling: A German businessman, active during the 1920s.
• Karl Gerling: A German economist, active during the mid-twentieth century.
• Uwe Gerling: An Austrian photographer, active since the 1980s.
• David Gerling: An American composer, active since the late 1970s
• Kurt Gerling: A German mathematician, active during the mid-twentieth century.
• Harald Gerling: A German violinist and conductor, active since the late 1990s.
• Peter Gerling: A German lawyer, active since the late 1970s.
• Sabine Gerling: A German designer, active since the mid-1990s.
• Christine Gerling: A German-born American artist, active since the early 2000s.
• Ingeborg Gerling: A German-born British sculptor and draughtsman, active during the mid-twentieth century.

Other surnames

GerlichGerlicherGerligGerlingsGerlis