Gerst Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

Facts About the Surname Gerst

1. The surname Gerst is of German origin.
2. The name Gerst is derived from the Middle High German word "gerste," which means "barley." It is likely that the surname originally denoted someone who cultivated or traded barley.
3. The spelling variations of the surname Gerst can include Gersh, Gersht, Girst, and Gierst, among others.
4. The surname Gerst is not very common and is relatively rare compared to other German surnames.
5. The Gerst family name can be found in various parts of Germany, including Bavaria, Saxony, and Hesse.
6. There are several notable individuals with the surname Gerst, including Alexander Gerst, a German astronaut who flew with the European Space Agency, and David Gerst, a German-born American photographer.
7. The meaning of the surname Gerst is not limited to agriculture. It can also signify traits related to barley, such as strength, resilience, or abundance.
8. The coat of arms associated with the Gerst surname typically features a blue shield with golden barley ears and a golden crown above them.
9. Variations of the Gerst surname can be found in other languages, such as Gérard and Gerstl in French and Gerste in Dutch.
10. The Gerst surname has spread beyond Germany, and individuals with this surname can be found in other countries, including the United States, Argentina, and Israel.

Famous People With the Surname Gerst

1. Reid Gerst - an American astronaut who flew on two Space Shuttle missions.
2. Jessica Gerst - an American figure skater who competed at the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
3. Brian Gerst - a former American football player who played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League.
4. Max Gerst - a German actor and television presenter known for his role in the TV series "Lindenstraße."
5. Michael Gerst - a German football player who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs in the Bundesliga.
6. Stefan Gerst - a German photographer and artist known for his experimental and surrealistic works.
7. Thomas Gerst - an Austrian painter and sculptor known for his abstract and expressionistic art.
8. David Gerst - an American lawyer and legal scholar who specializes in intellectual property law.
9. Patricia Gerst - an American actress who appeared in various television shows and films during the 1980s and 1990s.
10. George Gerst - an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Gerst Brewing Company.

All People Whose Last Name is "Gerst"