Gerber

Gerber is a German occupational surname meaning "tanner, leather dresser," derived from the Old High German garawen meaning "to prepare." The name refers to someone who tanned animal hides into leather, a crucial craft in medieval Europe.

The German noun Gerber directly translates to "tanner," and the related word gerben means "to tan." Variants of the surname include Garb, Garber, Garver, Gerver, and Kerper. These forms evolved regionally in German-speaking areas.

A notable bearer is Niklaus Gerber (1850–1914), a Swiss dairy chemist and industrialist who developed the Gerber method for determining fat content in milk and invented the Gerber tube, a device used in dairy testing. The surname is also associated with the Gerber Products Company, founded in 1927 by Frank Gerber in Fremont, Michigan, USA, which became synonymous with baby food.

Distinct from the occupational name, Gerber is also a census-designated place in Tehama County, California, United States.

• Meaning: Tanner, leather dresser
• Origin: German, from Old High German garawen
• Type: Occupational surname
• Usage regions: Germany, Switzerland, United States (via immigration)