Surname Girnat - Meaning and Origin

Girnat: What does the surname Girnat mean?

The last name Girnat is thought to be of Germanic, and possibly French, origin. The likely origin is a combination of the two, with the French word "grin" meaning "corn" and the German word "nard" meaning "valley". This suggests that the earliest prevalence of the name was in a valley known for its corn or grain production.

The name may also have evolved from the Old French word "guirnal", which means a "ground that is cultivated each year".

More recently, records of the last name Girnat have been found in the United States, Canada, and Germany. It is a relatively uncommon name, so there is no clear consensus over the meaning or origin of the name.

In the United States, the name is most frequently found in the states of Pennsylvania and South Carolina, as well as in the province of Alberta in Canada. It is possible that the word "Girnat" could have been derived from the Gaelic name "Girard", which means a "spear-bearer".

Whatever its origins, the last name Girnat is likely to have survived due to its rarity and the fact that not many people carry it today. This unusual last name could be the mark of a family that has been deeply rooted in the same area for centuries, and its mysterious derivation could be a clue to its history.

Girnat: Where does the name Girnat come from?

The Girnat surname is most commonly found in Eastern Europe today, particularly in countries such as Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, and Bulgaria. It is also found in Italy, where it is a variant of Girolamini.

The RU Soeurs Saint Gimpier, SR Girnat religious order was founded by Mgr. Francis Gaget Girnat in France in 1650 and later moved to Romania in 1673. This order still exists and hold charity works for the betterment of the community.

In Romania, the Girnat surname is much more widely spread than in other countries, especially in the Transylvanian city of Sfantu Gheorghe. It is believed to have originated from this city, where families with the name Girnat settled centuries ago.

The examples of surname Girnat can be also found in various historical documents across Europe, such as the “Roll of the Nobility of Transylvania” and the "Ramurilor Familii despre Căsătoriile din Romania" a book published in 1687, both outlined the genealogical relationships between the different families with the surname Girnat.

The Girnat last name can also be found in the United States, Canada and Australia, where people have emigrated from countries in Eastern Europe. Handwriting analysis also suggests that the family name may have been adapted from German/Swiss/Austrian/Jewish origins.

The surname Girnat is a unique one, allowing people to trace their roots and potential family connections back many centuries ago in Eastern Europe. While it may not be common in all countries today, those who do share the same name can relate to one another from having a shared history and culture.

Variations of the surname Girnat

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Girnat include Gernet, Giernat, Gairnet, Gairnot ,Gernatt, Garney and Gerney.

Girnat is a German and modern Jewish surname, derived from the town of Geren near Dresden in Saxony, Germany. It was first recorded in the 12th century, when a man named Geren was mentioned as a witness in a document from Neuenburg Castle.

Girnat is also an Americanized variation of the Jewish name Geren, which in turn is derived from the Yiddish name Geren. The original form of the name is from the Hebrew goren, meaning "neckerchief," which referred to the type of distinctive neckwear worn by Jewish men in Central and Eastern Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Gernet is one of the more common variants of Girnat. It is most likely derived from the German variation of the name, which is spelled Gernet. This spelling is also known to be used in France and other French-speaking countries.

Giernat is another common variant of Girnat. It is thought to be a Polish version of the name, as the ending of the name (nat) coincides with the common Polish surname endings. It is likely derived from the Polish version of the name, which is spelled Giernat.

Gairnot is a variant of Girnat that is most commonly seen in France. It is thought to come from the French version of the name, which is spelled Gairnot.

Gernatt and Garney are both variants of Girnat that appear in America, albeit in small numbers. It is thought that these spellings were brought to the United States by immigrants, possibly from Germany, Poland or France.

Gerney is another Americanized spelling of the surname Girnat. It is likely derived from the Yiddish version of the name, which is spelled Gerney.

In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Girnat include Gernet, Giernat, Gairnet, Gairnot, Gernatt, Garney and Gerney.

Famous people with the name Girnat

• Shyma Girnat: British film and television actor, best known for playing Marlowe on the BBC drama series Silent Witness.
• Daniël Girnat: Dutch racing cyclist, member of the UCI ProTeam Roompot–Charles, and famous for his 2017 stage victory in the Tour of Britain.
• Marshall Girnat: American independent filmmaker and co-founder of the film production company, Girnat Brothers Productions.
• Maxime Girnat: French journalist, photographer and videographer specializing in travel documentaries.
• Agata Girnat: Italian fashion designer, most famous for her collaborations with singer/songwriter Laura Pausini.
• Steeve Girnat: Canadian volleyball player, member of the Quebec Quidditch team Les Orphelins Loin and star player of the 2013 Canadian National Championship.
• Xandra Girnat: Mexican actress and activist, most known for her leading role in the film Don't Tell Anyone.
• Jean Philippe Girnat: French sculptor, renowned for his abstract stone sculptures and public works.
• Erik Girnat: Norwegian author and travel writer, famous for his books about sustainable travel and exploration.
• Violaine Girnat: Swiss political scientist and professor at University of Geneva, known for her groundbreaking research on the role of women in policy making.

Other surnames

Girnatis