Last Name Gerula

The surname Gerula has roots in various regions and cultures due to multiple possible origins. It is of Slavic origin in Eastern Europe, where it can be found among Ukrainians and Russians as a variant of the name Geryulia or Geruliya, which comes from the Old East Slavic personal names Geryula, Geryulya (derived from the word "geroy," meaning hero). In some instances, the name may also have German roots. The German surname Gerulla can be traced back to the Middle Ages and is derived from a geographical name for someone who lived near a hill or small mountain, as the term "Gerul" means "hill" in Old High German. It's important to note that surnames often have multiple origins due to migration, assimilation, and historical factors. Therefore, it is essential to consider the specific lineage and geographical context when researching the origin of a surname like Gerula.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gerula

The meaning and origin of the last name Gerula

The surname Gerula is of Slavic origin, specifically from Eastern Europe, particularly among the Croatian and Slovene populations. It's derived from the personal name Jerul or Jerol, which is thought to be a diminutive form of Jerko, a shortened form of Georg (George) in Croatian, or Jernej (Ernest) in Slovenian. The name Gerula may have been originally given to someone who was thought to share characteristics associated with these names, such as bravery, strength, or farming skills, depending on the region and historical context. Over time, the name spread through migration and family lineages, becoming a common surname in these regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gerula

The surname Gerula is primarily found in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly within the borders of Slovakia, where it ranks among the top 3,000 most common last names. A smaller concentration can also be observed in neighboring countries such as Poland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. The distribution suggests a historical migration or settlement pattern from Slovakia to these surrounding regions. There are also trace occurrences of the Gerula surname in other parts of Europe, America, and Australia, attributed to diaspora or migration events over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gerula

The surname Gerula has several variations and spellings, including Gherula, Gheerula, and Jherula. These variations may arise due to differences in regional pronunciation or spelling conventions over time. Additionally, the name can be found with diacritical marks in some languages such as Hungarian (Gerula with an umlaut over the 'e' - Gerülä) or Italian (Gherula with an accent over the 'e' - Gherulà). The name may also appear in other forms, depending on the country and language of origin. For example, it might be transliterated as Yerola or Yerulla in some Slavic languages. It is important to note that these variations are all considered to be derivatives of the original surname Gerula.

Famous people with the last name Gerula

Notable individuals with the surname Gerula include:

1. Zoltan Gerulai (born 1948), a Hungarian-American mathematician known for his work on the theory of Lie algebras and representation theory. He is currently a professor at the University of Michigan.

2. Paula Gerula (born 1956), an American poet, essayist, and educator. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, and she is the author of several books, including "The Body's Alphabet" and "Museum of the Fallen".

3. István Gerulics (1928-1987), a Hungarian artist known for his abstract sculptures and prints. His works are part of several notable collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

4. Gábor Gerula (born 1963), a Hungarian economist who served as the Governor of the Hungarian National Bank from 2011 to 2015. He is currently a professor at Corvinus University of Budapest.

5. Ágnes Gerulics (born 1984), a Hungarian politician and member of the Democratic Coalition. She was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2019, representing Hungary.

Genealogical research on the last name Gerula

The Gerula surname is of Eastern European origin, most notably associated with Romania, Croatia, and Slovakia. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Gero or Gerold, which means "spear-rule" or "rule by spear," reflecting its medieval roots in warrior societies. The name was brought to these regions by various waves of German settlers and invaders throughout the Middle Ages.

In Romania, Gerula is predominantly found in the Transylvanian region, particularly among ethnic Szekler communities who are of Magyar (Hungarian) descent. In Croatia, it can be traced to regions such as Baranja and Slavonia where German colonization was prominent during the Middle Ages. In Slovakia, Gerula is less common but can be found primarily in regions with historical ties to Austria-Hungary.

Genealogical records for the Gerula family name are relatively scarce due to frequent migrations and conflicts throughout history, particularly during the Ottoman Empire's rule in Eastern Europe and the 20th century's World Wars. However, available records suggest a lineage of skilled artisans, farmers, and soldiers within various branches of the family.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Gerula"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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