Geary

Geary is an English surname derived from a Norman given name, itself a short form of Germanic names beginning with the element ger meaning "spear". The name likely originated as a nickname for a warrior or someone associated with spears. It is related to the root name Gero and shares variants in English such as Garey, Garry, and Gary. In German, cognate surnames include Gehrig, Gehring, and Gerig.

Notable individuals with the unrelated given name Geary include Geary Eppley (1895–1978), an American university administrator and track and field coach; Geary Gravel (born 1951), an American science fiction author; Geary Higgins, an American politician from Virginia; and Geary Hobson (born 1941), a Cherokee scholar and writer. The surname Geary has been borne by figures such as John Geary (1819–1873), an American politician and Union general.

As a surname, Geary is primarily found in English-speaking countries, reflecting Norman influence after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its concentration in regions like Yorkshire and Staffordshire suggests early medieval roots in those areas.

• Meaning: Derived from Germanic element ger (spear)
• Type: Surname
• Origin: Norman / Germanic
• Usage: English
• Variants: Garey, Garry, Gary
• Related surnames: Gehrig, Gehring, Gerig