Surname Dugard - Meaning and Origin

Dugard: What does the surname Dugard mean?

The surname Dugard is of French origin and it is predominantly found in regions of France and Quebec. The name is believed to be a combination of two French words, "Du", which means "of the" or "from" and "gard" which means "garden" or "yard". Thus, Dugard may mean "from the garden" or "from the yard". It could have been adopted by or assigned to individuals who lived near or worked in a garden or yard. It is also speculated that the name might be occupational, referring to someone who was a gardener or yard keeper. Like many surnames, it would have been used to distinguish persons in a small community where many people had the same first names. Please note that the exact interpretation can differ based on regional dialect and historical usage.

Dugard: Where does the name Dugard come from?

Dugard is a French surname deriving from "du gard", which translates to "of the guard". It could also have been a geographical name for someone who lived near a watchtower or fortress, which in Old French is "gard". The surname has variations in spelling, such as Dugard, Duggard, and Duggard. During migration, names were often anglicized leading to such variations.

The Dugard surname is not particularly common today in France due to shift in French naming culture that led it to lose its prominence. It is more common in English-speaking countries such as the United States and England, where descendants of French immigrants have carried it on. However, even in these countries, Dugard is not among the most common surnames.

Individuals with the Dugard surname have been spotted across Canada as well, perhaps as a result of French and English settlers moving to the area. Famous figures with this surname include Jaycee Dugard, an American author and kidnap survivor, and Brie Dugard, an American athlete. As of today, the surname is sprinkled in several countries around the world; however, it's not concentrated in any specific geographic location.

Variations of the surname Dugard

The surname Dugard is of Norman origin, deriving from the personal name Dougal, which means "dark stranger." Variants of the surname Dugard include Dugart, Duggard, Duggart, Dougard, Douggard, and Douggart. The surname can also be spelled as Dugardt, Dugardin, Dugardo, and Dugardi.

There are also similar surnames that may indicate a common origin or relationship. These include Du Gard, DeGard, DuGarde, DeGarde, and DuGardin. The surnames Gardin, Gardon and Gardo might also be variations, or they may have evolved separately.

The surname Dugard is likely to have been introduced into England during the Norman Conquest in 1066, like many other Norman names. Historical records for this surname can be found across different regions in England, particularly in areas where Normans settled.

Surname variants such as Douggard and Douggart are especially found in Scotland, likely introduced by Norman settlers moving into the region, indicating a possible Scottish variation of the surname.

Keep in mind that spelling variations of the surname Dugard within the same family are common due to the phonetic nature of medieval spelling systems, where the spelling of names often changed with each document recorded.

Famous people with the name Dugard

• Jaycee Dugard: An American author who survived being kidnapped at a young age and held captive for 18 years.
• Martin Dugard: An American author most known for his works of non-fiction, often partnering with famous TV host Bill O'Reilly for history-based publications.
• Terry Dugard: An Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
• Pierre Dugard: A French soccer goalkeeper who played in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Renée Dugard: An accomplished French cross-country skier, who made considerable impact in the mid-1970s.
• Philippe Dugard: A French actor who performed in 19th-century French plays.
• Laure Dugard A French contemporary artist known for her abstract work.
• Roger Dugard: A former English speedway rider who competed in the 1960s.
• Chris Dugard: The son of Roger Dugard, also a renowned English speedway rider.
• William Dugard: A 17th-century English printer and schoolmaster.

Other surnames

Dugar