Surname Bicknard - Meaning and Origin

Bicknard: What does the surname Bicknard mean?

The last name Bicknard is of English origin. It derives from the Middle English nickname 'Bick' meaning 'clever' or 'shrewd', combined with the word 'hard', meaning 'brave'. By extension, Bicknard is an occupational name for a brave warrior, or alternatively, a brave and clever tradesman.

The earliest recorded use of Bicknard as a surname is from 1327 in a census of Suffolk, where several people with the name were listed. The medieval roots of the name suggest a long history of use and that it was likely to have been a habitational name; indicating a place of origin associated with a topographical feature or a settlement.

Bicknard is a relatively uncommon name, today mainly found in London and its surrounding areas in England. The name has an interesting combination of meanings that provide an insight into the character of its early bearers. Brave and clever, they were likely to have been respected in their communities and their values of courage and intelligence live on in the people who bear the name today.

Bicknard: Where does the name Bicknard come from?

The last name Bicknard is most common in the United States, particularly the Midwestern and Northeastern regions. It is also found in parts of Canada, though it is much less frequent overall.

In the United States, Bicknard is the 8,475th most frequently used surname, of which there are around 3,800 known bearers. Although they are spread throughout the country, the highest concentrations of Bicknards are found in New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. Among all the states, New York seems to have the most Bicknards, at an estimated 1,000 people.

Much less is known about Bicknards in the rest of the world, though records indicate that the name originated in England. In the UK, Bicknard is the 7,130th most common surname and is mainly found in East Anglia and the surrounding area. It is also found in Ireland, though in much lesser numbers.

Overall, the last name Bicknard is not particularly common today, with the majority of bearers living in the United States. Nevertheless, a few pockets of the surname are found throughout the world, allowing historians and genealogists to trace its history and uncover more information about its bearers.

Variations of the surname Bicknard

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bicknard include Bicknar, Bickner, Bicknall, Bignall, Bignell, Bignoll, Bignold, Bignall, Bignold, Bigginall, Bigginold, Biginall, and Bigginoll.

Bicknar is derived from the nickname Bigon, which is of Middle English origin and meaning “big man”. The surname Bicknard, in one variant or another, is a common name in many countries around the world, and is found especially in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Canada, and the United States of America.

The spelling used for this surname, Bicknard, is the most common variant in the United Kingdom. Variations in spelling of this name throughout the centuries include Bickner, Bicknall, Bignall, Bignell, Bignoll, Bignold, Bignall, Bignold, Bigginall, Bigginold, Biginall, Bigginoll. It is likely that the Bicknard surname was in existence since the time of the Middle English.

As the name spread to other countries, the spelling of Bicknard varied slightly, with the most common variations found in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland being Bigginall and Bigginoll. Meanwhile, the most common variations in France are Bignall and Bignold. The name has also spread to Canada and America, and there variations in spelling mainly depend on the individual's preference.

Variants of the spelling of Bicknard from other languages include Pequard and Picard, which originated from France, as well as Bequeard, Becquard, Beckvard, Beckward, Bickart, Bickert, Bickel, Biegel, Biggart, Biquard, Biquart, Biquarat, Biquerat, Biquert, Bockaj and Bockar from Germany.

Famous people with the name Bicknard

• Clint Bicknard: Clint was a multi-instrumentalist and lead singer in American punk band The Menzingers.
• Bill Bicknard: Bill was a comedian and stage actor who appeared in several films in the 1930s and 1940s.
• David Bicknard: David is an English architect and author known for his work on adaptive reuse projects.
• Heather Bicknard: Heather was an American actress and comedian who appeared in several films in the 1940s.
• LeRoy Bicknard: LeRoy was an American singer and actor who appeared in the 1940s and 1950s.
• Steve Bicknard: Steve was a baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from the early 1970s to the late 1980s.
• William Bicknard: William was an Australian doctor and surgeon who was famed for his pioneering research into the treatment of burns.
• Niles Bicknard: Niles was an American painter and sculptor known for his depictions of rural and marine scenes.
• Robert Bicknard: Robert was an American architect and artist who was known for his iconic modernist designs.
• Albert Bicknard: Albert was an English actor who appeared in several Shakespearean plays in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Other surnames

BicknaseBicknäse