Surname Gerrard - Meaning and Origin

Gerrard: What does the surname Gerrard mean?

The last name Gerrard is an English patronymic surname meaning "son of Gerard or Gerald". It is of Old German origin and derived from the Germanic given name "Gerhard", meaning "brave spearman". Gerard was also an Old French name derived from "geri" meaning "spear".

Gerrard is mostly concentrated in Northern England, Yorkshire and Lancashire in particular. Gerrard is a popular surname in the United Kingdom, ranking as the 67th most common to date. It has also spread across Europe, appearing in Germany, France, and Italy in particular.

Gerrard is a noble name steeped in history. In the Norman Conquest of 1066, the surname was given to Englishman Stephen Gerrard, who had travelled from Normandy with Lord Acton, loyal to William the Conqueror.

The name Gerrard carries with it a certain level of prestige, as it has been in use for centuries and has numerous old family connections within the British Isles. Its origin of the "spearman" connotes a sense of honour and bravery, which has been reflected over the generations it has held. Overall, the name Gerrard is a meaningful one, and one that carries with it a strong sense of British history and nobility.

Gerrard: Where does the name Gerrard come from?

The last name Gerrard is most commonly seen in the United Kingdom. It has its roots in Ireland, likely originating from the Gaelic given name Gerragh, a derivative of the Latin meaning ‘brave one.’

Today, Gerrard is most heavily concentrated in the greater London area, particularly in cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham. It’s also scattered across other parts of England, especially in East Anglia, West Midlands, Merseyside, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester.

Outside of the UK, the last name Gerrard is probably most commonly seen in Australia. Migration records show a steady increase in the early 20th century of people bearing the surname Gerrard arriving in Australia from the UK.

The name is also present in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and South Africa, as well as other English speaking countries such as New Zealand and Ireland.

Despite its presence in these countries, Gerrard remains a relatively uncommon name. It is a personal surname that still holds a certain sense of elegance and prestige to it, particularly in Britain, and continues to evoke a spirit of grandeur and loyalty wherever it is found.

Variations of the surname Gerrard

The surname Gerrard is derived from a French word, Gerard, and is of Germanic origin. It is a patronymic name, derived from the personal name Gerard, which means "brave with the spear". Variants and spellings for the surname include Garret, Garrard, Gerrards, Gerrardt, Garratt, Garrit, Garrett, Garett and Garrat.

Surnames of the same origin as Gerrard, include Gerard, Jarrett, Girard and Giroud. Gerard is a common French name, meaning 'brave one with the spear', and is the root of the Gerrards surname. Jarrett is another spelling of Gerard which is popular in English-speaking countries. Girard is an alternative French spelling of the name, derived from the Visigoths. Giroud is a localized spelling and derivative of the name Gerard, and is found mainly in the South of France.

Other names from the same root as Gerrard include variants such as Gary, Garrick, Garridan, Garren, Garcia and Garrison. Gary is a common English spelling of the name, while Garrick and Garrison are derived from the German variations of the name Gerard. Garridan and Garren are alternate forms of the French version of the name, with Garren being most common in the South of France. Garcia is derived from the Spanish version of the name Gerard, and is generally found in the Iberian Peninsula.

In summary, Gerrards is a surname of Germanic and French origin, derived from the name Gerard. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Gary, Garrick, Garridan, Garren, Garcia, Garrison, Gerard, Jarrett, Girard, Seymour and Giroud.

Famous people with the name Gerrard

• Steven Gerrard- Former professional football player and current manager of Scottish club Rangers F.C.
• Peter Gerrard- English actor and model best known for his role in the British TV series "The Bill".
• William Gerrard- American actor and film producer best known for his role in the feature film "Witness to the Mob".
• Emily Gerrard- English singer, songwriter and composer.
• George A. Gerrard- American politician and the 35th Governor of Kansas in the 20th century.
• Lynne Gerrard- English photographer, model and actress best known for her photography in the film "The Killing Fields".
• Willard Gerrard- American football player in the NFL for the New York Jets in the 1970s.
• John Gerrard- Irish artist known for creating public art from a combination of sculptures, videos, and architectural structures.
• Peter Alexander Gerrard- A German-based tennis player.
• Shane Gerrard- Australian former rugby league player who played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Newcastle Knights, and the New South Wales Blues in the National Rugby League.

Other surnames

GerrackGerrards