Surname Gierard - Meaning and Origin

Gierard: What does the surname Gierard mean?

The last name Gierard is of French origin and means 'son of Gerald'. This surname was likely first used as a patronymic name which was derived from a nickname of the personal name Gerald, which itself is derived from an Old French variant of the given name Gerard.

Gerald originally derived from the Germanic given name ‘Gerhold’, composed of the elements 'geri′ meaning ‘spear’ and ‘walt’ meaning ‘rule’. In France, Gerald eventually became modified to the form Géraud and hence to the modern-day name Gerard. Over time, the last name Gierard would become more widespread as families with it spread from their ancient homeland in France to other countries or regions where the French language was spoken and the surname was adopted.

The cartoons of Gierard's have appeared in magazines, comic books, newspapers and other publications over the last century. Some famous authors that share the last name Gierard include Gérard de Nerval, a French poet, essayist, journalist and translator; Gérard Depardieu, a French actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur; and Gérard Mordillat, a French journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and film director.

Gierard: Where does the name Gierard come from?

The last name Gierard is most commonly found today in France, particularly in the area surrounding the cities of Paris and Lille. According to French genealogical records, the last name Gierard first appeared in this region during the 1600s and has since become somewhat widespread, especially in the northeast.

In addition to France, Gierard can be found in other countries as well. There is a notable presence in Belgium, with Gierard families living in the Flemish and Walloon regions. This surname can also be found, albeit with much less frequency, in North America, particularly in the United States. In the U.S., Gierard is historically associated with several states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Missouri.

Many Gierard families are also located in Scotland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. In Australia, several families can be found in the states of Victoria and Tasmania. It is speculated that some of the Gierard families living in these countries are actually descendants of French Huguenots who immigrated to these nations in order to escape religious persecution.

All in all, current research indicates that the last name Gierard is most commonly associated with France, with families living in other countries being descendants of French immigrants.

Variations of the surname Gierard

Gierard is an uncommon but well known surname found mostly in France, Poland and some other parts of Europe. It is thought to be derived either from the Germanic personal name Gerard, meaning spear or hard, or from the Old French ger, meaning a small spear or javelin.

Variants of the surname include Girard, Gerard, Gerhard, Gerhardt, Gerar, Gérar, Gierat, Géruit, Géron, Gérot, Geron, Gerot, Guerard, Gírardós, Giergoś, Gerod, Girar and Giraud.

The different spellings and surnames are a result of the cultural and linguistic differences across different regions. For example, in France, the surname can also be spelt Giraud or Guerard. In the Polish and U.K. versions of the surname, the final letter is often spelt 'd' as in Gerhard or Gerhardt, however in French it may be spelt ‘t’ as in Géroit.

There are also some different spelling variations which have been derived over time, based on how the name was pronounced in the different dialects across the different regions. Some of these include Gieroś, Gerardos, Géroth, Géret, and Géru.

Overall, Gierard is an interesting and relatively uncommon surname, with strong historical ties to France, Poland and some other parts of Europe. Variants, spellings and other surnames related to this name make it a popular choice for those looking to trace their ancestry or explore their family’s European roots.

Famous people with the name Gierard

• Bernard Gierard: Former French Olympic fencer and winner of the 1967 French national sabre championship.
• Dick Gerard: American actor who is best known for his role in the movie Child's Play.
• Frank Gierard: Former American professional baseball player who played in the major leagues from 1896 to 1904.
• George Gierard: British Army officer who played an important role during WWI.
• Joe Gierard: American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1960 to 1972.
• John Gierard: American screenwriter who wrote for several TV shows including “Law & Order”, “The Practice” and “Boston Legal”.
• Joseph Gierard: American sports announcer and former NFL quarterback who is the voice of the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Margaret Gierard: Artist and painter who has exhibited her works in galleries around the world.
• Patrick Gierard: Former mayor of Traralgon, Victoria, Australia.
• Peter Gierard: American independent rock musician and producer known for his work with the bands My Brightest Diamond and Yeasayer.

Other surnames

GieratGierathGieraths