Geraardt

Geraardt is a surname of Dutch and Flemish origin. It is relatively uncommon and appears in historical and contemporary records in the Low Countries.

Origins and variations: The name most likely derives from the given name Gerard (also Gerardus, Geert) with a patronymic or diminutive suffix. Medieval spellings include Geraert, Geraardt, and Geraard, reflecting regional orthography in Dutch and Flemish communities. The form geraardt may occur as a further variant in some records.

Geographic distribution: In Belgium, families bearing the name have been noted in East Flanders and surrounding areas; in the Netherlands, occurrences have been recorded in several provinces, with concentrations in historical urban centers. The surname is primarily found in genealogical and parish records rather than as a widespread, widely recognized contemporary surname.

Usage and context: Gerraardt/Geraardt-type spellings often appear in archival materials from the late Middle Ages onward, illustrating typical patronymic formation patterns in Dutch-speaking regions. Modern instances are sporadic and typically traceable to family lineages rather than to prominent public figures or institutions.

See also: Gerard (given name); Geraerts, a related Dutch/Flemish surname; Geraardsbergen, a city in East Flanders whose name shares the root.