The Gerhart Project collects DNA results from any male whose surname is Gerhart-Gerhard-Gerhardt-Gearheart-Gayheart or any other variant spelling of the ancient name (gari > ger, meaning “spear”; and hard, meaning “hard / strong / brave” -- see Wikipedia). Based on its derivation, it is likely that there is no close relationship among many of people who hold the name. Nevertheless, the goal of the project is to collect project participants into related groups mainly for the purpose of assisting genealogists and family historians with the identification of related families.