Gerhardt
Last name Gerhardt - emmigrated to U.S. in 1740 from Palatinate region in Germany. My question is racial origen of that name - my family claims it is a German Jewish name - I think it is a name that is simply German and our ancestors were Lutherans or Quakers. We can't find evidence before emigration, however.
Replies
Gerhardt is definitely German, though it may also be borne by Jews just like many other German names. You'll find the etymology at http://www.ancestry.com/facts/gerhardt-name-meaning.ashx.
Thanks, I knew the meaning of the name - just hoped someone knew something more. Thanks so much anyway.
If your ancestors emigrated from the Palatinate in the early 18th century they may have been Protestant refugees. I know some made their way to Ireland during that period.
There's a short note on Palatine ancestry here -
http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/palatines/index.shtml
and some name lists here -
http://www.fortklock.com/names.htm
The surname Gerhardt occurs on a couple of the lists.
http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/palatines/index.shtml
and some name lists here -
http://www.fortklock.com/names.htm
The surname Gerhardt occurs on a couple of the lists.
Thanks a bunch!!