Geering

The surname Geering is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "gering," which meant "the young of a fish." This suggests that the name may have initially been used as a nickname or occupation descriptor for someone who worked with fish or lived near a body of water.

Records show that the name Geering can be traced back to the late 12th century in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Kent, Surrey, and Essex. One of the earliest known mentions of the name is in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1195, where a person named Radulfus Gering is listed.

The Hundred Rolls of 1273 also contain references to individuals with the surname Geering, such as Walter Gering from Oxfordshire and Reginald Gering from Buckinghamshire. These records provide valuable insights into the geographic distribution of the name during the Middle Ages.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various spellings, including Geryng, Gering, and Gerynge. One notable figure from this period is John Gering, a scholar born in the village of Gering in Yorkshire around 1350. He later became the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1398.

Another prominent individual with this surname was Sir William Geering (1461-1544), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Kent. He served as the Sheriff of Kent in 1523 and was knighted by King Henry VIII in 1544.

During the 16th century, the name Geering was also associated with several place names, such as Gering in Nottinghamshire and Geering in Essex. This further reinforces the connection between the surname and geographic locations.

In the 17th century, one notable figure was Sir Thomas Geering (1595-1673), an English politician and landowner from Lincolnshire. He served as a Member of Parliament for Lincolnshire in the Long Parliament during the English Civil War.

The 18th century saw the rise of Edward Geering (1703-1773), a renowned English clockmaker from London. His clocks and timepieces were highly sought after and can still be found in various museums and private collections.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Geering continued to be present in various parts of England, with individuals from different walks of life carrying this name. While the exact origin and meaning may have evolved over time, the surname Geering remains a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames and their fascinating histories.