| ![Show Contents]() Gerr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Germany
Etymology of GerrWhat does the name Gerr mean? The surname Gerr is a nickname surname; that is, it is derived from a nickname given to the original bearer. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demi-gods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans. The surname Gerr is derived from the Old German word "gir," which means "vulture." It was given to a person known for greedy, predatory ways. Early Origins of the Gerr familyThe surname Gerr was first found in Padeborn, in the ancient duchy of Saxony, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. As early as 1288 Johann Gyr appears in mediaeval feudal documents as county ruler in Warburg. As old as these documents may be, the name is also associated with families of ancient nobility in Austria and Franconia (later Hessen). Always prominent in social affairs, the name Geyer became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Early History of the Gerr familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gerr research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1490, 1525, 1665, 1685 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Gerr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gerr Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Geier, Geyer, Gayer, Gaier, Gire, Gyre, Geyre, Gayre, Geyr and many more. Early Notables of the Gerr familyAnother 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gerr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Gerr migration to the United States | + |
Gerr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Jacob Gerr, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 1
- Susanne Gerr, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1788 1
Gerr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Christopher Gerr, aged 28, who landed in Missouri in 1839 1
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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