Surname Hennard - Meaning and Origin

Hennard: What does the surname Hennard mean?

The surname Hennard is a habitational name which indicates that the initial bearer came from a place, usually a village, named Hennard or similar. This place name originates from several places across France, such as Hénar in the Indre-et-Loire, an Hennard in the Alpes-Maritimes, and Hénard in the Deux-Sèvres, as well as Henard in both the Ain and Isère departments.

The place name itself is derived from the Germanic personal name formed with the elements ‘haim’ (home) and ‘hard’ (hard, strong, brave), composed originally of the elements ‘heimo’ (home) and ‘hart’ (hard); it is an instance of a widespread religious formation. It was most likely first borne by a Christianized continental Germanic settler in the Early Middle Ages.

The surname Hennard is found primarily in France, Italy, Belgium, and the German-speaking countries. Australia and New Zealand have a small number of records as well, suggesting that some of the surname's bearers have recently emigrated from Europe.

Hennard: Where does the name Hennard come from?

The last name Hennard is most common today in France. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, Hennard is the 7,769th most common surname in France and can be found mostly in the Northeastern part of the country. It is also found in many parts of Europe, particularly in Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany.

The surname originated in Normandy, a region of Northern France, and has been used since the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French “hennart,” a variation of “hanaud,” which means “little john.” Though the name is generally considered to have been adopted as occupational names, there is no clear indication of exactly which profession it originated from.

According to the French genealogical website base-genealogique, Hennard is most commonly found in the departments of Pas-de-Calais, Nord, Aisne, Oise, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle and Rhône. It is also found in other countries in Europe, with a particularly strong presence in Belgium due to the large French population. Furthermore, the name has spread to places like the United States and Canada, with many members of the Hennard family having traveled to North America or having been born in the new world.

Variations of the surname Hennard

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hennard include Henrard, Henerd, Hennart, Hennar, Hennerd, Henerd, Hennerd, Henrir, Hennard, Hennerard, and the patronymics Hennardsson and Hennardsdatter.

The origin of the surname is likely Germanic, with the accident of 'Hen' meaning home and 'hard' meaning hardy or strong. The surname likely originated as an occupational surname, derived from a profession such as a blacksmith or master builder, who lived and worked in a particular setting or house. Later, the surname could have also become a locational surname, with a family situated in a particular place or dwelling.

The patronymic forms Hennardsson and Hennardsdatter are a result of Scandinavian naming practices, where a surname or patronymic is formed by taking the first element of a father or mother's name, and turning it into a surname according to the language.

The spelling of the original surname may have changed over time. Germanic spellings may have been altered according to how they are spoken in other countries, such as France and the Netherlands. Additionally, those with this surname may have had to standardize their spelling in order to more easily enter school or obtain membership to certain organizations.

Finally, there may be other variations of the surname that are not related to it, but sound similar. These may be variations of other surnames, which may have been substituted for the correct surname due to various mistakes in record-keeping.

Famous people with the name Hennard

• Philippe Hennard: French actor, filmmaker, and photographer.
• Frank Hennard: British actor with over twenty years of stage and television acting experience.
• Alain Hennard: French cinematographer and film director.
• Ottorino Hennard: Italian doctor, teacher, and humanist writer.
• Angelica Hennard: French artist and illustrator, known for her work in fashion illustrations.
• Prescillia Hennard: French fashion model.
• Stéphane Hennard: French guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work with the band Pearl Jam.
• Yves Hennard: French equestrian show jumper. 9 .Eugene Hennard: American composer and musician.
• Jacques Hennard: French musicologist and professor.
• Philippe Hennard Pereiro: Spanish football midfielder.
• Robert Hennard: American World War II pilot who received the highest award for valor in combat, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
• Loraine Hennard: French retired volleyball player.
• Mar KL Hennard: Dutch pop-rock singer, songwriter, and author.
• Robert Hennard Jr.: American professional basketball player.

Other surnames

Hennarty