Geraert

Geraert is a given name and surname of Dutch and Flemish origin. As a given name, it is an older variant of Gerard, derived from the Germanic elements gēr (spear) and hard (brave, hardy). The spelling Geraert reflects medieval Dutch and Frisian orthography, where endings such as -aert or -aart are common.

In historical records of the Low Countries, Geraert appears as a first name and later as a patronymic surname. In its surname form, it often appears as Geraerts or occasionally Geraert, indicating descent from an ancestor named Geraert or Gerard. The surname remains most common in Belgium, particularly in Flemish-speaking regions, and to a lesser extent in the Netherlands. Modern usage tends to favor the variant Geraerts as a stable family name, while the given-name form Geraert is comparatively uncommon today.

Variants and related names include Gerrit, Geert, Geerts, Gerard, and the related surname Geraerts. These forms share the same roots and have developed distinct spellings in different Flemish and Dutch communities.

Notable bearers: The name appears in historical and genealogical records of the Low Countries, but there are no widely recognized international figures universally associated with the name Geraert.

See also: Geraerts, Gerard, Geert, Gerrit.