Surname Garard - Meaning and Origin
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Garard: What does the surname Garard mean?
The last name Garard is a French surname that originated during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the given name Gerard, which is of Germanic origin and comes from the element ‘gar’ or ‘gari’, meaning ‘spear’.
People with the surname Garard likely originated in the province of Picardy in northern France. In the Middle Ages, this region was heavily populated by the Celts, who had a culture of hunting and warfare. These Celts viewed the spear as a symbol of strength, courage, and honour, and the name Garard likely reflects this.
Those bearing the name Garard may have also taken religious inspiration from Saint Gerard, an 11th-century Benedictine monk from Picardy who is known for his work in promoting devotion to the Virgin Mary. It is thought that many people with the surname adopted it in honour of him.
The surname then spread to other parts of Europe and even to the Americas via immigration. Today, there are likely many people with the last name Garard who can trace their ancestry back to Picardy, as well as many immigrants and their descendants who adopted the name following their relocation.
Order DNA origin analysisGarard: Where does the name Garard come from?
The surname Garard is thought to have originated from the French phrase "le garde", which translates to "the guard" or "the watchman". It is associated with the Middle Ages and is most prevalent in France today. Historically, the name was typically found in the province of Normandy in northwestern France.
Garard is still quite common throughout France today, particularly in Brittany and Normandy. In Brittany, the name is primary centered around the cities of Brest, Vannes, and Quimper. The name is found in lesser numbers in the French-speaking regions of Switzerland and Canada, as well as parts of the United States.
In the US, the name can be found today largely in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Iowa, and Georgia. It is also quite common in certain corners of California. In Louisiana, in particular, the name is not only found among the French speaking Cajun population, but is also quite popular among the Creole population.
In other countries, the name Garard is still present in smaller numbers. In the UK, it is primarily found in south-western England and south Wales, though these populations are quite small. In Australia, the surname is also present albeit in lesser numbers.
Variations of the surname Garard
Garard is a French surname derived from the personal name Gerard, which is itself derived from the Germanic elements ger, meaning "spear," and hard, meaning "brave" or "hardy." Variants and alternate spellings of the surname Garard include Gerhard, Gerard, Garret, Garratt, Garrod, Garroth, Garrard, Gerarde, Garood, Garath, and Garreth. These names are all derived from the same origin and are variations of the same surname.
Other surnames that are related to the name Garard may also include Gearing, Garber, Gear, Garrey, and Garridge. These surnames are more distantly related to the surname Garard and may have been formed from different origins.
In France, the surname Garard is quite common and may be found in many regions of the country. In the United States, it is less common, though it may still be found in some areas such as Louisiana. The surname is also found in other parts of the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
Overall, the surname Garard is quite versatile and has a range of different variants, spellings, and surnames related to its origin. It is most commonly found in France, though it is also found in other parts of the world as well.
Famous people with the name Garard
- Lucy Gard: British actress
- Remy Gardener: world-renowned motorcycle racer
- Craig Gardner: English Footballer
- Pierre Garand: Canadian-American arms designer
- Joseph Garard: former French Prime Minister
- Lou Garard: American baseball player
- Robert Garard: Canadian diplomat
- George Garard: British actor
- Jacques Garard: French MotoGP Racer
- Alfie Garard: British songwriter and musician