Gere
An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly derived from the Old English "gær" meaning spear or javelin.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 994 Americans carry the last name Gere. That puts it at #28,215 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.29 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 344,823 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gere surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
994
1 in 344,823
Census rank
#28,215
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
848
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 848 bearers of the surname Gere in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.29 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 28215th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gere, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Black (2.7%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gere
The surname GERE originated in France during the early Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old French word "gerre," which means "quarrel" or "dispute." This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a nickname to someone with a quarrelsome or contentious nature.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GERE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and resources in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. It is listed as "Gere," suggesting that the name had already made its way across the English Channel by the 11th century.
During the 13th century, the name GERE appeared in various records in the county of Northamptonshire, England. In 1273, a Robert Gere was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls, which were administrative records compiled for King Edward I.
The name GERE was also found in France during this period, with variations such as "Gerre" and "Guerre." In 1292, a Jean Gerre was recorded in the tax rolls of the city of Paris.
One of the earliest known individuals with the surname GERE was John Gere, who was born in Groton, Suffolk, England, in the late 15th century. He was a prominent landowner and played a role in local affairs.
Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Gere, who lived in the 16th century and served as a member of Parliament for the county of Norfolk, England. He was a wealthy landowner and played a significant role in the local community.
In the 17th century, the GERE surname was found in various parts of England, including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. One notable individual was Richard Gere, a wealthy merchant who lived in the city of Bristol in the late 1600s.
During the 18th century, the name GERE was also present in Scotland, with records indicating individuals with this surname living in the lowlands and around Edinburgh.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname GERE was the American actor Richard Gere, born in 1949. He is known for his roles in numerous Hollywood films, including "Pretty Woman" and "Chicago."
While the name GERE has its origins in France and has been present in England for centuries, it has also been found in other parts of Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, where it has taken on various spellings and variations over time.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gere
Among Census respondents with the surname Gere, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Black (2.7%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Gere bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Gere surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.3%
- Black or African American2.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.2%
- Two or more races1.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gere surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #28,215 | #28,215 | 0.0% |
| Count | 848 | 848 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gere bearers went from 848 to 848 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #28,215 to #28,215.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gere
FAQ
Gere surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gere?
The surname Gere holds position #28,215 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 994 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.29 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gere surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gere, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.3%. The next largest groups are Black (2.7%) and Hispanic (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.