Surname Gerken - Meaning and Origin
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Rediscovering Ancestral Roots: A Journey through iGENEA DNA Test and Gerken Lineage
From traditional family narratives to unraveling unexpected Viking connections, iGENEA’s DNA analysis profoundly impacts my understanding of my Gerken ancestry, shaping a deeper appreciation for the rich, multifaceted lineage that contributes to who I am today.
P. Gerken
read moreGerken: What does the surname Gerken mean?
The last name Gerken is of German origin and known to be a surname derived from the personal name "Geran". It can be translated literally to mean “spearman” or figuratively as “spear of God”, which could refer either to a warrior's strength or to a divinely-inspired leader.
Gerken is not a very common surname. The U.S. Census Bureau recorded only 96 individuals with the name in the 2000 census. As of 2016, the last name is located mostly in Germany, particularly in communities of Central Germany and the Baltic Sea.
The Gerken family can trace its lineage back hundreds of years and includes some notable names. Johann Gerken, a 16th-century German scholar and author, is considered the progenitor of the Gerken family. Other Gerkens include Hermann and Catherina Gerken, who both immigrated to the United States from Germany in the mid-1800s and eventually gave rise to many descendants down the line.
The modern-day Gerkens are generally described as hardworking and ambitious, with many members of the family dedicating their time and energy to advancing social change in whatever ways they can. They’re also known for having deep ties to their German heritage, and many are active in cultural organizations or organizations that preserve German history.
Overall, the Gerken name represents a proud and compassionate heritage of strength, ambition, and dedication.
Order DNA origin analysisGerken: Where does the name Gerken come from?
The last name Gerken is a relatively rare name today, however it was once common in certain regions of Germany. It most commonly originated in the states of Mecklenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony. In these particular regions, the name was mainly found on the Holstein peninsula.
Today, the name Gerken is most frequently seen in the town of Varel in the district of Friesland, located in the German state Lower Saxony. Other places where Gerken is common today included New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and other parts of the United States.
Historically, the name was very popular amongst farmers and fishermen in Northern Germany, most likely because the land was mostly flat, coastal, and marsh-like. The first settlers of the name in the United States were Henry Gerken from Friesland, Germany in 1864 and Herman Gerken from Varel, Germany in 1891.
The most populous area for the Gerken name is now located in the United States, however it is still relatively rare compared to other popular surnames. The name is still found in Germany as well, particularly in the coastal areas such as in Varel and the town of Wilhelmshaven in the southern part of the district of Friesland.
Variations of the surname Gerken
Gerken is a German surname of patronymic origin, derived from the given name Gerke, which in turn is a form of the name Gerard. It is also a Friesian given name, possibly derived from the Old Germanic name “Gerhard”.
The variants, alternative spellings, and other surnames of the same origin as Gerken include:
Gerken/Garcken/Gercken/Gerking: These are variant spellings of the surname Gerken.
Gerchen/Gerchen/Gerchan: Alternate spellings found in records from Friesland.
Garke/Garken/Garcker: These are alternate spellings of the surname found in records from East Prussia.
Garck: This spelling is commonly found in records from Schleswig-Holstein.
Gergar/Gerger/Gergerich/Gergerig: These are alternate spellings of the surname found in records from Mecklenburg.
Gokken/Goeken: These are Dutch variants of the surname Gerken.
Gierking/Gierkink/Gierken: These are Dutch variants of the surname.
Other related surnames include Gark rapt, Gerkens, Geck, Gering, Gerking, Gerkink, Gerstenberg, Karkamp, Kirkpatrick, and Korken.
Famous people with the name Gerken
- Kevin Gerken: American former professional baseball player who played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and Baltimore Orioles.
- Joe Gerken: American professional basketball player who played for the Canton Charge in the NBA G League.
- Karl Gerken: Award-winning German television presenter, best known for his shows on the ZDF network.
- Kiki Gerken: Dutch professional volleyball player who annually competed with the Dutch team in the European Volleyball Championships.
- Rolf Gerken: German motorcycle racer who won numerous German and European Championship titles in the 1950s.
- Tena Gerken: American golden-globe nominated actress who starred in films such as “The Abyss,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Beyond The Sea.”
- Jeff Gerken: American free-style wrestler who competed in the 1984 & 1988 Olympic Games and was a two-time AAU National Champion.
- Derek Gerken: Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing in the KHL for HC Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
- David Gerken: English footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for League Two club Exeter City.
- Harry Gerken: American martial artist who has competed in various Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts tournaments worldwide.