NomOrigine Background

Last Name Berard

What is the origin of the last name Berard?

The surname Berard is a variant of the given name Bernard, which is derived from the Germanic elements "beraht" meaning bright or famous and "hari" meaning army or warrior. This name was popular among the Normans, who brought it to England after their conquest in 1066. Over time, some individuals carrying the given name Bernard adopted Berard as a surname. The spelling variations of the surname include Berhard, Bererd, Beerard, and other similar forms.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Berard

The meaning and origin of the last name Berard

The surname Berard is derived from a given name, "Berard," which is of Germanic origin. The name is composed of two elements: "beraht" meaning "bright" or "famous," and "-hard" meaning "hardy" or "brave." In Old High German, it was written as "Berochard" or "Birachart." Over time, the name evolved into various forms in different countries, including Berard, Beard, Bernard, and Bernhard. The surname Berard emerged when individuals with this given name began to be identified by their family names during the Middle Ages. It is widely distributed across Europe, particularly in France, Italy, and Germany. Today, it remains a common surname in these regions as well as others where European settlers have migrated.

Geographical distribution of the last name Berard

The Berard surname is predominantly found in European countries, particularly France, where it originates from the medieval occupational name 'Berard,' meaning "bear-brave." In France, the highest concentrations are observed in regions like Auvergne, Rhône-Alpes, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The surname also has a significant presence in Italy, Portugal, and Spain due to historical migration and cultural exchange with France. In North America, the Berard name is most prevalent in countries like Canada and the United States, primarily among French Canadian communities and descendants of early French settlers. Additionally, there are Berard families in various parts of South America, particularly Brazil, as a result of Portuguese colonization.

Variants and spellings of the last name Berard

The surname Berard can have various spellings and slight variations due to differences in transcription and regional dialects over time. Some common forms include:

* Berhard
* Beerard
* Beirard
* Bierard
* Byrard

These variations may stem from phonetic changes, historical spelling inconsistencies, or regional pronunciation differences. Additionally, some individuals may intentionally modify their surnames for personal reasons, such as immigration or assimilation. It is important to note that while these variations share a common root, they are distinct surnames and should be treated as such when researching genealogy or other records.

Famous people with the last name Berard

Notable individuals with the surname Berard include:

1. Joseph Berard (1920-2014), an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Ethiopia, Yugoslavia, and the Republic of Ireland.

2. Gioacchino Antonio Rossini, born Giuseppe Francesco Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868), was an Italian composer best known for his operas, including "The Barber of Seville" and "William Tell." Although not a Berard by birth, he adopted the stage name Berard in honor of his stepfather, Pasquale Berard.

3. Jean-Baptiste Berard (1753-1806), a French general during the Napoleonic Wars who served as a commander in the Army of Italy and later in the Army of Egypt under Napoleon Bonaparte.

4. David Berard (born 1972), a Canadian ice hockey player who played for teams such as the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Ottawa Senators during his professional career.

5. Yves Berard (1920-1989), a French actor known for his roles in films like "The Wages of Fear," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and "Day of the Outlaw."

Genealogical research on the last name Berard

The surname Berard, originating from Old Germanic and French roots, is primarily found in France and Italy, with variations such as Bérard, Berardinelli, and Berardi. In France, the name Berard dates back to the 8th century during the Carolingian Empire, where it was a personal name derived from the Old High German "beraht," meaning bright or famous. The Norman conquest of England in 1066 brought many families with French names, including Berard, who established themselves in England. In Italy, the name Berard is believed to have originated as a variation of the Italian-Germanic surname Beroaldi and is often found among the population of Tuscany. Notable figures bearing this name include French knight Humbert de Berard (12th century) and Italian physicist Giuseppe Berard (19th century).

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Berabu (Last name)

surnames > berabu

The last name "Berabu" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian word "berbec," which means "ram" or "sheep."

Beraha (Last name)

surnames > beraha

The last name Beraha is of Sephardic Jewish origin, deriving from the Hebrew word "berachah" which means blessing. It is commonly found among Sephardic Jewish communities in the Mi...

Berake (Last name)

surnames > berake

The last name Berake is of Ethiopian origin. It is derived from the Amharic word "berka," meaning "blessing" or "grace." Members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community often...

Beraldo (Last name)

surnames > beraldo

The surname Beraldo is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name Berardo, which is a variant of the name Bernardo. The name Bernardo is of Germanic origin, derived fr...

Berame (Last name)

surnames > berame

The last name Berame is of Filipino origin. It is derived from the word "birame," which means "difference" or "variation" in the Ilocano language.

Beramendi (Last name)

surnames > beramendi

The surname Beramendi is of Basque origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically Bera Mendia, which is located in the Basque Country in northern Spain. The name means "litt...

Beran (Last name)

surnames > beran

The last name "Beran" is of Czech origin. It is a cognate of the surname "Bern," which means "bear" in Czech and is likely derived from a nickname or personal characteristic associ...

Berana (Last name)

surnames > berana

The surname "Berana" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the word "berenar," which means "to have a snack" or "to have a meal" in Catalan. This surname may have originated as ...

Berania (Last name)

surnames > berania

The last name Berania does not have a well-documented origin or meaning. It is a quite rare surname and does not appear to have a specific cultural or linguistic background. It is ...

Berardi (Last name)

surnames > berardi

The surname Berardi is of Italian origin and derives from the personal name Berardo, which was popular during the Middle Ages. Berardo was a diminutive form of the name Bernard, me...

Berardinelli (Last name)

surnames > berardinelli

The last name Berardinelli is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name Berardo, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Bernhard, meaning "brave bear". The suffix...

Berardini (Last name)

surnames > berardini

The surname Berardini is of Italian origin. It derives from a given name, "Bernardo," which was popular among the medieval Christians and was brought to Italy by the Normans. The s...

Berastegui (Last name)

surnames > berastegui

The surname Berastegui originates from the Basque region, a historic area located in the Northern part of Spain and Southern part of France. Basque names are traditionally patronym...

Berat (Last name)

surnames > berat

The surname Berat has roots that can be traced back to several different countries and cultures, making its exact origin somewhat complex. 1. Albania: In Albanian, "Berat" is a ci...

Berati (Last name)

surnames > berati

The surname Berati is believed to have originated from the city of Berat in Albania. Berat is an ancient city with a rich history dating back thousands of years, located along the ...