Find out how popular the last name Geras is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Geras.

Geras, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Geras surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Geras in America

Geras is the 120187th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Geras surname appeared 144 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Geras.

We can also compare 2010 data for Geras to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Geras

The surname GERAS is believed to have originated in ancient Greece, with roots dating back to the 5th century BCE. The name is derived from the Greek word "geras," which means "old age" or "reverence for the elderly." This suggests that the name may have initially been bestowed upon those who were highly respected elders or sages within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GERAS can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. In his work "The Republic," Plato mentions a character named Geras, who is described as an elderly and wise man. This reference provides insight into the historical significance of the name and its association with wisdom and veneration.

During the Byzantine era, the name GERAS appeared in various administrative records and manuscripts, indicating its continued use among Greek populations. In the 12th century, a notable figure named Geras Palaiologos held a prominent position in the Byzantine court, serving as a high-ranking official under the Palaiologos dynasty.

As the Greek diaspora spread throughout the Mediterranean region and beyond, the name GERAS traveled with them. In the 16th century, a merchant named Georgios GERAS is recorded as having established trade routes between the Greek islands and the Italian city-states, contributing to the cultural and economic exchange of the era.

Another individual of note was Theodoros GERAS, a Greek scholar and philosopher who lived from 1705 to 1784. He was known for his works on classical Greek literature and his contributions to the preservation of ancient texts during the tumultuous times of the Ottoman occupation of Greece.

In the 19th century, a prominent figure named Alexandros GERAS (1823-1896) emerged as a leader in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. He commanded rebel forces and played a crucial role in the struggle for Greek autonomy, further solidifying the name's association with bravery and patriotism.

The name GERAS has also been found in various place names and toponyms throughout Greece, such as the village of Gera in the Peloponnese region, suggesting a long-standing connection between the surname and specific geographic locations.

While the surname GERAS may not be as widely prevalent today as it once was, its historical roots and associations with wisdom, respect, and valor have left an indelible mark on Greek culture and heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Geras

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Geras.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Geras was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Geras has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Geras was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Geras, please contact us.

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