Surname Pickyard - Meaning and Origin
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Pickyard: What does the surname Pickyard mean?
The last name Pickyard is a rare English surname of uncertain origin, though some sources suggest it could be a variant of the Old French name "Picquard", which may derive from the word "pic", meaning "pointed". It is believed to have first appeared in records as far back as the 13th century, but its exact etymology remains unknown. Its earliest surviving records come from Suffolk, England, where William Pickyard was recorded in 1276.
In the centuries since, the name has spread to other parts of the British Isles, as well as to parts of Europe, Australia, and the United States. Although the given name Pickyard is fairly common, its use as a last name is less so.
The main meaning of the word "pickyard" now is a type of farm, usually a piece of land attached to a larger farm that is used for grazing, housing poultry or other animals, or accepting itinerant workers. Its use as a surname is likely derived from this, indicating a person from or associated with a pickyard, or who worked in one.
As a surname, the name Pickyard can bring to mind associations with traditional English rural life, the importance of small businesses, and theAppreciation recognition of hard work. Given its rarity, those bearing the name are naturally proud of its heritage and history.
Order DNA origin analysisPickyard: Where does the name Pickyard come from?
The Pickyard surname is fairly common in England, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and the United States. In England, the surname is found mainly in the North-West of the country, particularly in the Lancashire area and in South Wales. In Ireland, it is known to be most concentrated in County Antrim, with occasional records of it in counties Dublin and Wexford. In Australia, the surname is mainly found in the states of Victoria and Queensland, with a growing presence in New South Wales. In Canada, there are records of Pickyards in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. In the United States, the name is seen mostly in the midwest and the east coast, as well as in Texas and California.
The Pickyard surname is believed to have first originated in England, with records of the name appearing in the early 1500s. The name is derived from the Old English term “picgeard”, which references a location of land around a castle or fortress. Over time, the spelling of the surname was changed to “Pickyard”. It is thought to have been brought to Ireland during the plantations in the late 1600s, and it was likely brought to Australia and the United States during migrations in the 1800s.
Variations of the surname Pickyard
The surname Pickyard is believed to have Germanic origins and is thought to be derived from the personal name Picket or Piccard, which was very common in Europe during the Middle Ages and up until the 17th century.
Variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include Pickard, Pickert, Pixard, Pixart, Pykard, Picket, Pyckert, Piccard, Pikard, Pikert, Pycard, and Pikardt.
Pickard is a spelling variant believed to have originated in Ireland and was prominent in Ulster where it was thought to be an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Phickey. The name translates roughly as 'son of the devotee of St Patrick' and is related to the name Gilpatrick.
Pickert is a form of the surname found mainly in central and eastern Germany and is thought to be a variant of Pikard. The form Picket is thought to be a corrupted version of Piccard that was mainly found in northern Germany and Holland.
Pykard and Pycard are two variants believed to have originated in Hungary and Poland, respectively. They are both derived from forms of the first name Piotrek which is a variant of Peter. Men with the surname Pykard and Pycard were once found mainly in the Osaka and Fukushima regions of Japan where they migrated during the Edo period.
Pixard and Pixart are two rare French surnames derived from a form of the given name Piccard.
Other spelling variants of the surname include Pikardt and Piccord. Pikardt is a rare variant believed to be of Swedish origin and Piccord is thought to be an English mutation of the given name Piccardus.
Famous people with the name Pickyard
- Noel Pickyard: Australia-born British racing driver who invented the 'Pickyard Line’ method for rounding corners, and who raced in Formula 3 and the 24 Hours of Spa.
- Paddy Pickyard: Ireland-born rock musician and songwriter, who has performed with groups such as Donal Lunny, The Saw Doctors and The Corrs, and has released several solo albums, singles and EPs.
- Les Pickyard: Canadian musician, songwriter and producer, best known for his work on the films 'One Magic Christmas' and 'Princess of the Universe'.
- Henry Pickyard: British architect and painter, who has designed projects for Harrods and the National Computer Centre.
- Prudence Pickyard: English fashion designer and entrepreneur, who created her own brand of luxury accessories and footwear in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Michael Pickyard: Australian photographer, curator and critic, who has written and lectured extensively on the history of art in Australia.
- Bill Pickyard: Jamaican record producer and composer, known for his work with reggae acts such as Third World and Sugar Minott.
- Abigail Pickyard: British film actress, best known for her roles in the Harry Potter series.
- Warren Pickyard: Canadian singer-songwriter who has released two studio albums and several singles.
- Ryan Pickyard: English composer and conductor, who has released several albums of neo-classical and electro-acoustic music.