UK surname
A variant of the French surname Gerard, derived from the Germanic name Gerard meaning "strong with a spear".
In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Garard surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #22,617 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Garard is 140 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.8%.
1881 census count
77
Ranked #22,617
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1861
140 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Garard surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Garard surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 102 | #16,933 |
| 1861 | historical | 140 | #16,169 |
| 1881 | historical | 77 | #22,617 |
| 1891 | historical | 100 | #24,045 |
| 1901 | historical | 86 | #24,508 |
| 1911 | historical | 70 | #25,853 |
| 1997 | modern | 36 | #34,071 |
| 1998 | modern | 35 | #34,344 |
| 1999 | modern | 36 | #34,323 |
| 2000 | modern | 35 | #34,420 |
| 2001 | modern | 33 | #34,436 |
| 2002 | modern | 37 | #34,390 |
| 2003 | modern | 30 | #35,046 |
| 2004 | modern | 31 | #35,105 |
| 2005 | modern | 32 | #35,191 |
| 2006 | modern | 31 | #35,467 |
| 2007 | modern | 32 | #35,530 |
| 2008 | modern | 30 | #35,736 |
| 2009 | modern | 31 | #35,794 |
| 2010 | modern | 31 | #35,906 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 27 | #36,102 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 26 | #36,244 |
| 2015 | modern | 26 | #36,228 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood, London parishes, St Pancras and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abinger, Ockley, Wotton with Oakwood | Surrey |
| 2 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Garard surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Garard, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Garard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Garard household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Garard is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Garard is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Garard, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Garard has its origins in France, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "garer," which means "to protect" or "to guard." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who worked as a protector or a guard.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Garard can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Garardus, who held estates in Hertfordshire.
In the 12th century, a notable individual named Garard de Camville was a prominent Norman nobleman and one of the leading barons during the reign of King Henry II. He held significant lands and played a pivotal role in the political affairs of the time.
During the 13th century, the name Garard was also found in various records and manuscripts across France and England. For instance, a knight named Garard de Furnes was mentioned in the annals of the Hundred Years' War for his valiant service in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
The name Garard has also been associated with several place names, such as Gerardmer, a town in the Vosges region of France, and Gérardmer, a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of northeastern France. These place names likely derived from individuals named Garard who held land or influence in those areas.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname Garard. One such individual was Jean Garard (1564-1624), a French theologian and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of metaphysics and ethics. Another prominent figure was Pierre Garard (1583-1644), a French mathematician and astronomer who worked on improving methods for calculating planetary orbits.
In the 18th century, Jacques Garard (1712-1787) was a renowned French architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Palais de Justice in Paris. Additionally, Louis Garard (1756-1821) was a celebrated French painter known for his historical and mythological scenes.
The name Garard also found its way into literature, with the French novelist Émile Garard (1812-1885) being a notable figure. His works explored themes of love, social issues, and the human condition, and he was widely acclaimed during his lifetime.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Garard surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 21 Garards recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Surrey | 21 | 5.81x |
| Middlesex | 16 | 2.16x |
| Buckinghamshire | 10 | 22.32x |
| Hampshire | 5 | 3.29x |
| Kent | 5 | 1.98x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.45x |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 5.74x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.54x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 1.76x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.80x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.61x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.69x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.01x |
| Sussex | 1 | 0.80x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Iver in Buckinghamshire leads with 10 Garards recorded in 1881 and an index of 1724.14x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Iver | 10 | 1724.14x |
| Lambeth | 10 | 15.47x |
| St Pancras London | 9 | 15.09x |
| Ockley | 6 | 3750.00x |
| Erith | 4 | 160.64x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 9.71x |
| Lockwood | 4 | 151.52x |
| Peterborough | 4 | 79.21x |
| West Derby | 4 | 15.55x |
| Yateley | 4 | 1379.31x |
| Capel | 3 | 882.35x |
| Diss | 2 | 204.08x |
| Hackney London | 2 | 4.81x |
| Berkeley Alkington | 1 | 909.09x |
| Inveresk | 1 | 37.17x |
| Lewisham | 1 | 7.42x |
| Newport | 1 | 121.95x |
| Preston On Hill | 1 | 714.29x |
| Reading St Giles | 1 | 18.32x |
| Richmond | 1 | 19.76x |
| Southwark Christchurch | 1 | 28.82x |
| Uxbridge | 1 | 117.65x |
| Worth | 1 | 109.89x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Garard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Garard surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Garard households.
FAQ
In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Garard surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Garard a modern rank of #36,392.
A variant of the French surname Gerard, derived from the Germanic name Gerard meaning "strong with a spear".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Garard bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.