Surname Bovard - Meaning and Origin
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Bovard: What does the surname Bovard mean?
Bovard is a surname of French origin. The exact meaning is not clear as it could be derived from various root words. One possibility, is that it could be a patronymic name meaning "son of Bovard," where 'Bovard' was once a personal name. Another possibility could be that the name is occupational in nature. In French, "bovine" means cow, and "garde" means guard, so "Bovard" could imply someone who guards cows, a cattle herder or a cowherd, which was a common occupation during the Middle Ages in France. Another interpretation could be that "Bovard" is a topographic surname for someone who lived by a cow pasture. However, these are just possibilities and the exact origin and meaning of the name Bovard may differ. Note also that the meaning of a surname can vary significantly based on regional and historical usage.
Order DNA origin analysisBovard: Where does the name Bovard come from?
The surname Bovard is of French origin. It is believed to be derived from the French word "bovard" which is a nickname for a clumsy or awkward person. The earliest recordings of this name suggest it may have originated from the medieval times in the region of Burgundy, an administrative territory in east-central France.
Although the surname remains French by ancestry, it has spread across the globe with significant populations in countries like the United States and Australia, largely due to migration. It is also found in Switzerland, possibly reflecting the close geographic and cultural ties between Switzerland and the French region of Burgundy. However, even with its spread, Bovard is not a common surname, which means it might not have a high concentration anywhere today. According to some databases, as of the early 21st century, there are a few hundred individuals with the last name Bovard in the United States, making it the country with the most people bearing this name. The dispersion of this name, however, means it is not particularly prevalent or common in any specific region or nation.
Variations of the surname Bovard
The surname Bovard has various origin stories. One theory suggests it comes from Bavaria in Germany, while another theory suggests it originates from a French nickname for a 'cowherd'. There are few direct variants of the surname, but similar sounding names or derivations include Bevard, Borgward, Bewvard, Beward, and Boavard.
Another common spelling variation is Bouvard, often found in French-speaking countries. Considering sounds, similar surnames of German or Swiss origin, like Boppard, might be related. However, the relations between these versions, as well as their specific appearances in genealogical timelines, must be explored through individual family research. Although all these variations may not be direct variants, these can certainly help in the search for ancestors especially in records with spelling errors or modified abbreviations.
Historically, it is common for names of this nature to have many different spellings due to the way that languages evolve and words are phonetically translated. That's why researching family lineages often requires looking under different spellings. In conclusion, while there aren't many direct variations of Bovard, there are similar names that may provide relevant information in an ancestral search.
Famous people with the name Bovard
- James Bovard: An American libertarian author and lecturer whose political commentary has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and many other outlets. He is known for widely influential books such as "The Farm Fiasco" and "Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty."
- Lon Bovard: A noted cinematographer and member of the American Society of Cinematographers. He worked on numerous films and TV series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "The Bionic Woman" and "Lady Sings the Blues."
- Audrey P. Bovard: The first woman to serve as superintendent of the Mount Vernon, Washington school system. She was influential in education reform in the 20th century.
- George Finley Bovard: The fourth president of the University of Southern California (USC) from 1903 to 1921. He played a key role in shaping USC's academic and institutional growth.
- Marion Bovard: The first administrative head and president of the University of Southern California. He is counted among prominent figures of higher education in California.
- Colbert Bovard: A former Scottish footballer who played as a center half.
- François Bovard: The Swiss pastor who wrote numerous religious works during the 20th century.
- Criss Bovard: The former Senior Director for United States Economic Sanctions at the National Security Council, a U.S. Government entity.