Surname McCoard - Meaning and Origin
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McCoard: What does the surname McCoard mean?
The surname McCoard is believed to be of Scottish origin. It is derived from the personal name Mac Gord, which itself derives from Mac Gille gord, meaning "son of the servant of the lance-bearer".
In Scotland, lance-bearers were men of noble birth who fought alongside the king or chief and were responsible for bearing and preparing his weapon, typically a lance (a long spear). The hereditary name was passed down through history, eventually evolving into McCoard.
The surname McCoard is common in the USA, particularly in the Southern states, and is known to be a variant of the surname McCord (both have the same meaning). The surname is also found across the Atlantic in Scotland. Wherever the surname is found, it is associated with a long and distinguished lineage, as the bearers of the name are the descendants of a noble family.
The most famous bearer of the name McCoard is undoubtedly the American gospel and r&b singer/songwriter Arthur "Big Boy" McCoard. While he sadly passed away in 2020, his distinct and memorable performance style has left a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
Overall, the surname McCoard is an honorable one and is associated with a history of courage and bravery. Those who bear the name can take pride in knowing that their family come from a distinguished lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCoard: Where does the name McCoard come from?
The last name McCoard is most often found in the United States, primarily in the southeast. It is most commonly associated with Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee. The McCoards are a distinct family, with roots in Scotland and Ireland. The family's migrations to the US began in the late 1700s, with most McCoards settling in the south.
The surname McCoard is particularly prominent in the rural areas of the American South. Records show that the McCoard name is most common in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. It also appears regularly in the name of small businesses throughout the region, often attached to general stores, bakeries, and farms.
Today, McCoard descendants are found in all parts of the United States. However, the family's traditional home remains the rural parts of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The McCoard name has also spread further, taking hold in Illinois, North Carolina, and even Hawaii.
Many McCoards still gather in the American south for family reunions—a tradition that dates back to the early 1800s. Here members of the extended family come together to share stories, swap recipes, and take pride in their heritage.
The McCoard name continues to be alive and well in the United States, particularly among southerners of Scots-Irish or Irish heritage. Although it may be more difficult to find in some areas, it persists as a reminder of the family's proud and long history in America.
Variations of the surname McCoard
McCoard is a variant of the surname MacCord/Maccord/M'Cord or MacCorde/Maccorde/M'Corde. It is also sometimes spelled McCoarde/Mccoorde.
The surname MacCord/Maccord/M'Cord is believed to have originated in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The surname is derived from the Irish-Gaelic surname Mac Cuaird. It is believed to have come from the cuaird, meaning ‘guard’ or ‘custodian’. It was an occupational surname for one who was employed as a guard or custodian.
The MacCord/Maccord/M'Cord surname has numerous variants throughout Ireland, including MacCord/Maccord/M'Cord, McCard/Mccard/M'Card, MacCerd/Maccerd/M'Cerd, MacChard/Macchard/M'Chard and MacCaird/Maccaird/M'Caird.
In Scotland, the variants of MacCord/Maccord/M'Cord are mainly McCoard/Mccoard, McCoarde/Mccoorde, MacCaward/Maccaward/M'Caward, MacCawrd/Maccawrd/M'Cawrd and MacCord/Maccord/M'Cord.
Overall, the variants and spellings of the surname McCoard are numerous, but they all ultimately come from the same origins in Scotland and Ireland.
Famous people with the name McCoard
- David McCoard: an Irish footballer who played in the League of Ireland First Division.
- Ryan McCoard: a Canadian actor who appeared in small roles on multiple TV shows and films including “Once Upon a Time” and “Supernatural”.
- Shane McCoard: an American country music singer-songwriter whose album Turning Pages took home the Independent Music Award for Country Album of the Year.
- Tonya McCoard: an actor in independent films and web series such as “Search Party” and “Sketchup”.
- Christopher McCoard: an English sound engineer, with credits being on “Robot Chicken” and “Black Mirror”.
- Sean McCoard: an Irish-American actor who had a recurring role on “House of Lies”.
- Rhys McCoard: an Australian musician who recently released his debut album entitled “Golden Daze”.
- John McCoard: an American director known for making shorts such “Elephant in the Room” and “A Short Trip in Time”.
- Eamonn McCoard: an Irish actor appearing in a variety of TV shows and films including “Love/Hate” and “Loving Mailmen”.
- Brianna McCoard: an American YouTuber and vlogger known for her comedic and informative videos.