NameCensus.

UK surname

Garde

French surname meaning "guard" or "watchman".

In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Garde surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 125, ranked #26,827, down from #24,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Islington, Tameside and Bracknell Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Garde is 127 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 95.3%.

1881 census count

64

Ranked #24,561

Modern count

125

2016, ranked #26,827

Peak year

1999

127 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Garde had 64 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016, ranked #26,827.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 86 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Garde surname distribution map

The map shows where the Garde surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Garde surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Garde over time

The 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 40 #26,118
1861 historical 66 #25,487
1881 historical 64 #24,561
1891 historical 52 #30,061
1901 historical 86 #24,508
1911 historical 85 #24,322
1997 modern 120 #24,158
1998 modern 120 #24,793
1999 modern 127 #24,125
2000 modern 126 #24,220
2001 modern 120 #24,615
2002 modern 125 #24,492
2003 modern 120 #24,909
2004 modern 124 #24,559
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 103 #27,785
2007 modern 105 #27,868
2008 modern 109 #27,533
2009 modern 114 #27,363
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 117 #27,334
2012 modern 104 #29,543
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 117 #28,109
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 125 #26,827

Geography

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Where Gardes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Islington, Tameside, Bracknell Forest, West Lancashire and Derbyshire Dales. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Islington 008 Islington
2 Tameside 025 Tameside
3 Bracknell Forest 015 Bracknell Forest
4 West Lancashire 007 West Lancashire
5 Derbyshire Dales 001 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

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First names often paired with Garde

These lists show first names that appear often with the Garde surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Garde

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Garde, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Garde surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Garde household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Garde is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Garde is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Garde falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Garde is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Garde, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Garde

The surname Garde is of French origin, traced back to the medieval period in France. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "garde," meaning "guard" or "watchman." This surname was likely adopted by individuals who held occupations related to guarding or protecting, such as soldiers, watchmen, or sentries.

In its earliest form, the surname was often spelled as "Guarde" or "Warde," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and regional dialects across different parts of France. The name can be found in historical records and documents dating back to the 13th century, although its precise origins remain uncertain.

One notable early reference to the surname Garde can be found in the "Livre des Bourgeois de Reims" (Book of the Burghers of Reims), a medieval register of citizens in the city of Reims, France. This document, compiled in the 14th century, includes several mentions of individuals bearing the surname Garde.

Among the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Garde was Jean Garde, a French military officer who served under King Charles VI in the late 14th century. Another early bearer of the name was Guillaume Garde, a merchant and landowner from the city of Toulouse, who lived in the 15th century.

In the 16th century, the surname Garde gained prominence through the works of the French poet and writer, Maurice Scève (1501-1564), who was known for his poetic works and his association with the literary circle of Lyon.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent various transformations and adaptations. In England, for instance, the name evolved into the variants "Guard" and "Warden," reflecting its connection to the concept of guarding or protecting.

Over the centuries, several notable figures have borne the surname Garde, including:

1. Jean-Antoine Garde (1670-1740), a French architect and designer known for his work on the Palace of Versailles. 2. François-Xavier Garde (1758-1826), a French military officer who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. 3. Antoine-Léon Garde (1804-1877), a French engraver and painter known for his etchings and lithographs. 4. Auguste Garde (1880-1964), a French politician and former Minister of Education. 5. Henri Garde (1910-1997), a French writer and journalist who covered World War II and wrote several novels and non-fiction works.

While the surname Garde has its roots in France, it has since dispersed across various regions and countries, with bearers of the name contributing to various fields, including art, literature, politics, and military endeavors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Garde families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Garde surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Hampshire leads with 13 Gardes recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.34x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 13 8.34x
Channel Islands 11 48.80x
Devon 11 6.95x
Cheshire 8 4.76x
Lancashire 8 0.89x
Middlesex 4 0.53x
Glamorgan 3 2.26x
Gloucestershire 3 2.01x
Staffordshire 3 1.17x
Sutherland 3 51.28x
Angus 2 2.84x
Buckinghamshire 2 4.35x
Royal Navy 2 22.05x
Surrey 2 0.54x
Isle of Man 1 7.08x
Sussex 1 0.78x
Wiltshire 1 1.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Owen in Channel Islands leads with 11 Gardes recorded in 1881 and an index of 1864.41x.

Place Total Index
St Owen 11 1864.41x
Tranmere 7 113.45x
Newton St Cyres 6 2727.27x
Portsea 6 19.63x
Havant 5 632.91x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 27.89x
Cheltenham 3 26.06x
Eccleshall 3 309.28x
Hockworthy 3 3750.00x
Swansea Town 3 27.62x
Golspie 2 487.80x
Kensington London 2 4.73x
Royal Navy 2 25.81x
Shenley Church End 2 4000.00x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 13.06x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 5.07x
Christchurch 1 29.59x
Clyne 1 212.77x
Dartmouth Townstall 1 153.85x
Dundee 1 3.80x
Hailsham 1 128.21x
Islington London 1 1.36x
Liff Benvie 1 9.35x
Litherland 1 52.91x
Liverpool 1 1.82x
Mere 1 131.58x
Onchan 1 24.57x
Portsmouth 1 27.86x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 1 51.81x
St George Hanover Square 1 7.46x
Stoke Damerel 1 9.03x
Toxteth Park 1 3.27x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Garde surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 7
Margaret 5
Ellen 3
Fanny 3
Jane 3
Jessie 3
Alice 2
Emma 2
Harriet 2
A.E.P. 1
Bella 1
Caroline 1
Dorcas 1
Eleanor 1
Frances 1
Ida 1
Isabella 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Rhoda 1
Rose 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Garde surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 4
Robert 3
Frederick 2
Thomas 2
Walter 2
William 2
Clayton 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Henry 1
Joseph 1
Mich. 1
Michael 1
Ph. 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Stuart 1

FAQ

Garde surname: questions and answers

How common was the Garde surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Garde surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Garde surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 125 in 2016. That gives Garde a modern rank of #26,827.

What does the Garde surname mean?

French surname meaning "guard" or "watchman".

What does the Garde map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Garde bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.