Surname Girard - Meaning and Origin

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F. Girard

Girard: What does the surname Girard mean?

The last name Girard is of French origin and is derived from the Germanic personal name, Gerard, composed of the elements "gér" or "gār," meaning spear, and "hard," meaning hardy, brave, or strong. Thus, the name Girard roughly translates to "strong or brave with a spear." The name was popular among the Normans and was brought to England during the Norman conquest in the 11th century, from where it spread also to Ireland and Scotland. As a surname, it became hereditary over time, passed down through generations. Today, individuals with the last name Girard can be found worldwide, though it remains most common in French-speaking countries and regions.

Girard: Where does the name Girard come from?

The last name Girard is of French origin. It comes from the old French personal name “Girard”, derived from the Germanic personal name 'Gerald', composed of the elements 'geri' or 'gari' meaning spear and 'hard' meaning hardy, brave, strong. As a surname, it could refer to a brave or strong spear-wielder. The surname travelled to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Today, Girard is common in many countries with a French-speaking population, such as France, Canada (especially in Quebec), and parts of Belgium and Switzerland. Also, due to historical emigration patterns, this surname can be found in the United States, particularly in areas with significant French influence like Louisiana.

Variations of the surname Girard

The surname Girard has various spellings and variants. Generally, these variations are due to regional differences and adaptations over time. Some of these include Gerard, Gerrard, Giraud, Girod, Girault, and Girardin. Some versions of the surname, such as Gerardi and Di Gerardo, can be found in Italian surnames as it means "son of Gerard." Meanwhile, in French, the spellings Gérard, Giraudet, Girardeau, Girardot, and Girarde are fairly common.

Northern European versions of the surname include Gerritsen, Gerrits, and Gerritse in Dutch, and Gerrity, Gerrish, and Gerrets in English. The Spanish version is often spelled as Gerardo. The surname also appears in Catalonia as Giralt.

Lowercase prefixes like "de," "le," and "du" were often attached to the surname (like De Girard, Le Gerard) to denote a family's area of origin or residence.

Going by profession, Girard also developed occupational derivations like Girardeau (baker) and Girardet (little Gerard). There may also be Jewish derivatives of the surname, such as Gerardi, as Gerard is used in very diverse cultures.

It's also worth noting that Girard may share common ancestry with surnames derived from the same root name, Gerard, which means "spear-hard."

Famous people with the name Girard

• Steve Girard: A former professional boxer from Canada.
• Jean-Baptiste Girard: A noted French military figure of the early 19th century.
• Frédéric Antonin Girard: A prominent French dentist.
• Sue Hendrickson and François Girard: Renowned Canadian film directors.
• Gilbert Girard: A successful American writer.
• Stephen Girard: One of the wealthiest people in the US during the 19th century; he was a banker, philanthropist, and slave trader.
• Antonia Girard Baehler: A Swiss painter and printmaker.
• Reggie Girard: An actor known for "The Models" and "Alf's Button Afloat".
• Pierre-Simon Girard: A French engineer and physicist.
• Jean-Baptiste Girard (priest): A controversial French priest.
• Tom Girard: A well-known music journalist.
• Éva Janikovszky and Alain Girard: Famous authors.
• Laurent Girard (musician): French musician known as "Melodium".
• Medard Girard: Swiss rower who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Wayne Girard: A former professional baseball player.
• André Girard (French Resistance): A leader in French Resistance during WWII.
• André Girard (painter): A French painter and poster artist.
• Gaétan Girard: A Canadian politician.
• Lisa Girard: An American musician, singer and composer.
• René Girard: A French historian, literary critic, and philosopher of social science.

Other surnames

GirardiGirardinGirardsGirardy