Gerdes
Encyclopedia
Gerdes is a surname
of German origin. It is a patronymic name, ie. it comes from "son of Gerhard
". When around 1800 the Prussian government under French occupation decided to fix the surnames, the contemporary "son of Gerhard" had to keep his name. In Ostfriesland, the law was ignored until at least 1811.
derived from the name "Gerd", short for Gerard, meaning "hard spear", or from the Norse goddess Gerd
(meaning "Gerd's protection"), wife of Freyr and protectress of the home yard
and garden
, from which she also derives her name as a personification of the garden/yard.
Family name
A family name is a type of surname and part of a person's name indicating the family to which the person belongs. The use of family names is widespread in cultures around the world...
of German origin. It is a patronymic name, ie. it comes from "son of Gerhard
Gerhard
Gerhard is the professional name of Canadian artist known for the elaborately detailed background illustrations in the comics series Cerebus the Aardvark.-Biography:...
". When around 1800 the Prussian government under French occupation decided to fix the surnames, the contemporary "son of Gerhard" had to keep his name. In Ostfriesland, the law was ignored until at least 1811.
Origin
Ge(e)rdes is a patronymicPatronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
derived from the name "Gerd", short for Gerard, meaning "hard spear", or from the Norse goddess Gerd
Gerd
In Norse mythology, Gerðr is a jötunn, goddess, and the wife of the god Freyr. Gerðr is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources; the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson; and in the poetry of skalds...
(meaning "Gerd's protection"), wife of Freyr and protectress of the home yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
and garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
, from which she also derives her name as a personification of the garden/yard.
People
- Herbert GerdesHerbert GerdesHerbert Gerdes directed the films Erbkrank , Alles Leben ist Kampf , Was du Ererbt , Schuld oder Schein , and Das Große Geheimnis ....
, German director. - Hans-Peter Geerdes, lead singer of the German band ScooterScooter (band)Scooter are a German hard dance band founded in Hamburg, who have sold over 25 million records and earned over 80 gold and platinum awards. Scooter are considered the most successful single-record German act with 23 top ten hits. The band is currently composed of members H.P. Baxxter, Rick J....
. - Eckhard GerdesEckhard GerdesEckhard Gerdes is an American novelist and editor. He earned his MFA in creative writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.He is the author of twelve novels:* Projections [1986, Depth Charge Press]...
, American author. - Eduard Gerdes, Dutch lyric writer and author.