GEAR

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Gear

Gear is a British surname of Old English origin, deriving from the word 'gearu' which means 'ready' or 'prepared'. The name likely originated as a nickname for someone who was perceived as being prompt or efficient in their actions.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Gear date back to the medieval period in England. Variants of the name, such as 'Geare' and 'Gere', have also been documented in historical records.

Individuals bearing the surname Gear can be found throughout the United Kingdom and in former British colonies such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. The name has spread to various parts of the world due to migration and colonial expansion.

Notable individuals with the surname Gear include British actor and television presenter Matthew Gear, who gained fame for his roles in popular TV dramas.

Today, the surname Gear continues to be passed down through generations, serving as a link to the ancestral heritage of those who bear the name.

There are approximately 1,806 people named Gear in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,580th most common surname in Britain. Around 28 in a million people in Britain are named Gear.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Alan
Andrew
Christopher
Daniel
David
James
John
Michael
Peter
Robert
Stephen

Female

Angela
Catherine
Christine
Deborah
Elizabeth
Helen
Jacqueline
Karen
Linda
Margaret
Mary
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.