Last Name Girard

Learn more about the origin of the last name Girard

The meaning and origin of the last name Girard

The surname Girard is of French origin, derived from the Old French personal name "Gerard," which itself is composed of the Germanic elements "gari" (spear) and "hard" (brave or hardy). Originally, it was a given name, but over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname in France. The first recorded use of the name Girard can be traced back to the 12th century in Normandy, where it became widespread among the nobility and peasantry alike. Throughout history, there have been notable figures bearing this surname, such as Étienne Girard de Saint-Amant (a French poet), and Jacques Girard (a French mathematician). Today, Girard is a relatively common surname in France, Canada, and the United States, particularly among those of French descent.

Geographical distribution of the last name Girard

The surname Girard is predominantly distributed across France and its French-speaking regions, with significant concentrations in Normandy, Brittany, Picardy, and the Ile-de-France region, which includes Paris. Historically, the name originated from these areas. Beyond France, the Girard surname is also found in various parts of North America, primarily in Quebec, Canada due to French colonization, as well as in Louisiana, USA, where a large number of Acadian refugees settled after being expelled from Nova Scotia (Acadie) in 1755. Smaller populations can be found in other countries with historical ties to France, such as Belgium, Switzerland, and the French West Indies (Guadeloupe, Martinique, etc.). The Girard surname has also spread globally through migration, particularly to countries like the United States, where it is most prevalent in Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Variants and spellings of the last name Girard

The surname Girard has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time and across different regions. Some common variations include Gerard, Geard, Jurard, Jurd, Jurat, Gird, Gyarde, Gyarde, Gyord, Gyorde, and Gyird. These variants may have slight differences in spelling based on regional pronunciations, or they may represent alternative transcriptions of the same name by different scribes or recording methods. Another variation is Guerard, which has a slightly different etymology but is phonetically similar to Girard. The name originates from France and is derived from the Germanic personal name Gisilhart, which means "people's spear" or "battle-hardy." It is also found in other parts of Europe and among French-speaking communities around the world.

Famous people with the last name Girard

Pierre-Simon Girard was a French mathematician and cryptographer who made significant contributions to number theory and cryptography in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is most famous for his work on Fermat's Last Theorem, which he correctly conjectured as unsolvable by elementary methods. Additionally, Jacques Girard, a Canadian-born statistician, has made significant contributions to the field of statistics, particularly in Bayesian analysis and decision theory. His works have been influential in the development of modern statistical methodologies and are widely used in various scientific fields. Lastly, Gilberto Teodoro Giráldez Girard was a Filipino politician who served as the 9th President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. He is known for leading the nation during the transition from the Marcos dictatorship to democracy and is widely admired for his efforts in restoring democratic governance.

Genealogical research on the last name Girard

The surname Girard is of French origin, derived from the Old French personal name Geiraut or Gerard, which means "spear bravery" or "rule of the spear." The name was brought to various regions of Europe during the medieval period by Normans and other French settlers. In France itself, the Girard family can be traced back to the 11th century, with the first recorded instance being Gervais Gerard in 1098.

As for its distribution, Girard is most prevalent in regions of France such as Normandy and Picardy. It is also common in Belgium, Canada (Quebec), the United States, especially Louisiana and New England, and various countries in South America due to French colonization and immigration waves. The Girard family has produced numerous notable figures throughout history, including statesmen, military leaders, artists, and scientists. The most famous include Jean-Baptiste Girard de Saint-Amant, a French poet, and John Peter Girard, an American lawyer and politician who served as the Attorney General of Louisiana in the 19th century.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Girard"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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 : 11 June 2025