Surname Girards - Meaning and Origin

Girards: What does the surname Girards mean?

The last name Girard is a patronymic surname derived from the given name “Girard”, a form of the Germanic name Gerhard. The name was first found in France, where the family was anciently seated and holds a family seat since very early times in the region of Brittany.

Girard means “brave spearman” or “hard spear” and is thought to be derived from the elements “geri”, meaning “spear”, and “hard/hardi”, referring to bravery or strength. This name has historically been associated with a variety of people, from either the nobility or those who were especially inspiring in battle.

The coat of arms associated with the name Girard features two red pole-axes, which signify strength and courage in battle. This motif is mirrored in the crest, which is a golden lion rampant. The Latin motto associated with the family is "Festina Lente", meaning hasten slowly, which fittingly reflects the family motto of being firm in their beliefs but steady in action.

The Girards have a long and illustrious history and have remained prominent throughout the centuries. From being respected members of the aristocracy during the Middle Ages to producing some of the country's most prominent government servants in modern times, the Girard legacy continues to shape the future of France and the world.

Girards: Where does the name Girards come from?

The last name Girards is most commonly found in France today, where it is estimated to be the 600th most common last name. It is particularly concentrated in the Haute-Garonne department in the region of Occitanie. However, as is typical with French surnames, it has spread from its homeland since the Middle Ages. It has since been exported to French-speaking countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, as well as many other parts of the world. In the United States, the most recent census recorded the surname Girards at 2,381 households, with the highest concentrations found in Louisiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. In Australia, Girards is estimated to be held by about 960 people, with the majority living in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Finally, in the United Kingdom, the last name is fairly uncommon, estimated to be held by just over 500 people.

Variations of the surname Girards

The surname Girards is most often spelled with the letter S at the end of the name but can also be spelled with a Z, Gyrard or Girard.

The variants of this surname range from Giraud, Girault, Girault, Girault, Gilard, Gueret, Courteaud, Gournay, and Gueret. Additionally, there are many variations on the spelling of the surname, including Guiraud, Girardot, Guerard, Gobaton, Gueraud, Guird, Gourd, Gourdais, Guerrat, Guerra, Guerre, Guerret, Guerrot, and Guerraud.

Those who have French heritage may find it interesting to note that the original form of the name, Girard, is believed to have come from the Old French word ‘ger,’ which means ‘spear.’ It is likely that the original holder of the name was a soldier, or the son of a soldier, who used a spear as his weapon on the battlefield.

In some cases, the name has evolved over time; Guiraud is a common variation in the south of France, while the form Girardot is more common in the north of the country. Additionally, there are many hyphenated forms of the name; one example is Girard-Gourdon, which can be found in several places in France.

Girards is a relatively common name in France and has spread to other parts of the world, including North America. As a result, there are various spellings and variants to be found in other countries; for example, in the United Kingdom, the spelling of the name is often Gird or Guird.

In summary, variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Girards include Giraud, Girault, Girault, Gilard, Gueret, Courteaud, Gournay, Guiraud, Girardot, Guerard, Gobaton, Gueraud, Guird, Gourd, Gourdais, Guerrat, Guerra, Guerre, Guerret, Guerrot, and Guerraud, and various hyphenated forms of the name.

Famous people with the name Girards

• Matthew Girards: Professional baseball player
• Kenneth Girards: Jazz saxophonist
• Stan Girard: Canadian animator
• Elle Girard: Canadian radio personality
• Laurent Girard: French politician
• Noémie Girard: Canadian actress and singer
• François Girard: Canadian filmmaker and television director
• Vera Girard: American actress
• Charlotte Girard: French photographer
• Cyril Girard: French pentathlete
• apostle Paul Girard: French Catholic clergyman
• Alfred Girard: French alpinist
• Salina Girard: American fashion designer
• Charles Girard: Belgian Olympic rower
• Janette Girard: American abstract painter
• Glenn Girard: Canadian former professional field lacrosse player
• Pierre Girard: French swimmer
• Louis-Philippe Girard: Canadian lawyer and judge
• Joseph Girard: French artist

Other surnames

GirardGirardiGirardinGirardy