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

Gerner, 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 Gerner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gerner in America

Gerner is the 15938th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gerner surname appeared 1,823 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Gerner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gerner 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 Gerner

The surname Gerner has its origins in Germany, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old German word "gernaro," which means "hunter" or "trapper." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to individuals who worked as hunters or trappers, earning their living from the forests and wilderness.

During the Middle Ages, the Gerner name was primarily concentrated in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony, where many families bearing this surname lived and worked. Some historical records, such as parish registers and town chronicles, mention individuals with the Gerner name from as early as the 1300s.

One notable early reference to the Gerner name can be found in the Heidelberg Manuscript, a collection of medieval German literature dating back to the 14th century. The manuscript includes a mention of a character named "Gerner der Jäger," which translates to "Gerner the Hunter," further supporting the connection between the name and the profession of hunting.

The earliest recorded bearer of the Gerner surname was Hans Gerner, born around 1420 in the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in modern-day Bavaria. He is mentioned in local records as a skilled hunter and trapper, providing game for the nobility and wealthy merchants of the region.

Another noteworthy figure was Anna Gerner, born in 1538 in the village of Lichtenfels, Saxony. She was a respected herbalist and healer, renowned for her knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional remedies. Her legacy lived on through the generations, with many Gerner descendants following in her footsteps as practitioners of folk medicine.

In the 17th century, the Gerner name gained prominence in the city of Leipzig, where Johann Gerner (1620-1694) established a successful printing and publishing business. His descendants continued the family trade, with the Gerner Printing House becoming one of the most respected in the region.

During the 19th century, Theodor Gerner (1805-1878), a German philosopher and educator, made significant contributions to the field of education. Born in Dresden, he advocated for progressive teaching methods and the importance of hands-on learning, influencing educational reforms in Germany and beyond.

Throughout history, the Gerner surname has been associated with various professions, from hunters and trappers to artisans, scholars, and entrepreneurs. While the name may have originated from humble beginnings, its bearers have left their mark across different fields, contributing to the rich tapestry of German cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gerner

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

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 Gerner 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 Gerner 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 Gerner was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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