Geirbjörg

This name derives from the Old High German “Gerburg,” composed of two elements: the “*gaizaz” (a spear, pike, javelin) plus “*berganą / *burgz” (to take care, to preserve, to protect, to save, to help, to rescue / fortification, stronghold, fortified city, castle). 1) Gerberga (8th century) was the wife of Carloman I, King of the Franks, and sister-in-law of Charlemagne. Her flight to the Lombard kingdom of Desiderius following Carloman’s death precipitated the last Franco-Lombard conflict and the end of the independent kingdom of the Lombards in 774. 2) Gerberga of Saxony was a member of the Ottonian dynasty and a descendant of Charlemagne. 3) Gerberge of Lorraine (~935–978) was the daughter of Giselbert, Duke of Lorraine, and Gerberga of Saxony. She was a descendant of Charlemagne through both her parents.