NameCensus.

UK surname

Gerard

A surname of French origin referring to a brave, strong, or hardy spearman.

In the 1881 census there were 488 people recorded with the Gerard surname, ranking it #6,898 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 660, ranked #8,078, down from #6,898 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St. Monance and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk and Scarborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gerard is 660 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 35.2%.

1881 census count

488

Ranked #6,898

Modern count

660

2016, ranked #8,078

Peak year

2016

660 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gerard had 488 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,898 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 660 in 2016, ranked #8,078.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 560 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gerard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gerard surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gerard 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 404 #5,991
1861 historical 465 #5,591
1881 historical 488 #6,898
1891 historical 560 #6,775
1901 historical 530 #7,728
1911 historical 491 #7,928
1997 modern 620 #7,967
1998 modern 611 #8,288
1999 modern 624 #8,215
2000 modern 603 #8,394
2001 modern 575 #8,530
2002 modern 598 #8,482
2003 modern 574 #8,581
2004 modern 555 #8,804
2005 modern 564 #8,641
2006 modern 565 #8,657
2007 modern 590 #8,464
2008 modern 602 #8,392
2009 modern 632 #8,252
2010 modern 648 #8,260
2011 modern 639 #8,269
2012 modern 639 #8,163
2013 modern 652 #8,204
2014 modern 650 #8,255
2015 modern 653 #8,165
2016 modern 660 #8,078

Geography

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Where Gerards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St. Monance, Toxteth Park and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newham, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Scarborough, Basildon and Leven West. 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 London parishes London 1
2 St. Monance Fife
3 London parishes London 3
4 Toxteth Park Lancashire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newham 030 Newham
2 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 004 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
3 Scarborough 005 Scarborough
4 Basildon 014 Basildon
5 Leven West Fife

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gerard

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gerard

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gerard, 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 Gerard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gerard 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Gerard is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gerard is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gerard falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gerard is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gerard

The surname GERARD originated in France during the medieval period. It is derived from the Germanic name Gerard, which means "strong with a spear." The name is believed to have first appeared in the region of Brittany in northwestern France.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname GERARD can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book lists several individuals with the name GERARD, including Gerard de Tornai, who held land in Lincolnshire, England.

During the Middle Ages, variations of the surname GERARD began to emerge, such as Geraud, Gerrard, and Gerhart. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and spelling conventions.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the surname GERARD was Girart de Roussillon, a legendary figure from the 8th century who was the Count of Vienne and a vassal of Charlemagne. Girart de Roussillon is the subject of an Old French chanson de geste (epic poem) written in the 12th century.

In the 13th century, a notable figure with the surname GERARD was Étienne de GERARD, a French architect and engineer who was involved in the construction of the Cathedral of Metz in northeastern France.

Another historical figure with the surname GERARD was John GERARD, an English botanist and herbalist who lived from 1545 to 1612. He is known for his contributions to the study of plants and his publication of The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes.

In the 17th century, there was Louis GERARD, a Flemish painter and engraver who was born in 1593 and died in 1665. He was known for his religious paintings and engravings.

During the 18th century, a notable individual with the surname GERARD was François GERARD, a French painter who was born in 1770 and died in 1837. He is best known for his portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte and members of the imperial family.

Throughout history, the surname GERARD has also been associated with various place names, such as Gerardmer, a town in the Vosges region of eastern France, and Gerardville, a village in Belgium.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gerard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gerard 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. Lancashire leads with 108 Gerards recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.83x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 108 1.83x
Middlesex 71 1.42x
Surrey 44 1.81x
Yorkshire 39 0.79x
Fife 32 10.84x
Channel Islands 23 15.57x
Derbyshire 19 2.43x
Aberdeenshire 15 3.25x
Cheshire 15 1.36x
Midlothian 14 2.10x
Somerset 13 1.62x
Flintshire 12 8.96x
Norfolk 11 1.44x
Nottinghamshire 10 1.49x
Angus 7 1.52x
Berwickshire 7 11.60x
Gloucestershire 7 0.72x
Kincardineshire 7 11.53x
Essex 6 0.61x
Wiltshire 5 1.13x
Caernarfonshire 4 1.98x
Devon 4 0.39x
Hampshire 4 0.39x
Kent 4 0.24x
Northumberland 4 0.54x
Perthshire 4 1.79x
Warwickshire 4 0.32x
Monmouthshire 3 0.83x
Cornwall 2 0.35x
Denbighshire 2 1.06x
Dorset 2 0.61x
Lanarkshire 2 0.12x
Sussex 2 0.24x
Ayrshire 1 0.27x
Glamorgan 1 0.12x
Leicestershire 1 0.18x
Shropshire 1 0.23x
Worcestershire 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Monance in Fife leads with 26 Gerards recorded in 1881 and an index of 738.64x.

Place Total Index
St Monance 26 738.64x
Liverpool 25 6.96x
Battersea 14 7.63x
Toxteth Park 14 6.99x
Lambeth 12 2.76x
North Meols 12 20.73x
Nether Hallam 11 16.46x
Melton Parva 10 1612.90x
St Asaph 10 375.94x
St Peter Port 10 36.60x
Cleckheaton 9 49.45x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 9 3.35x
Tissington 9 1428.57x
Claughton With Grange 8 159.68x
Nottingham St Mary 8 4.60x
Coldstream 7 160.18x
Hasland 7 88.16x
Islington London 7 1.45x
Kensington London 7 2.53x
St Marylebone London 6 2.25x
Walton On Hill 6 18.73x
West Ham 6 2.76x
Widnes 6 14.06x
Wortley In Bramley 6 15.34x
Chiswick 5 18.36x
Combe St Nicholas 5 257.73x
King Edward 5 93.99x
Parr 5 23.63x
St Martin 5 55.25x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 5 29.36x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 4 4.63x
Aspull 4 28.76x
Bangor 4 20.58x
Chelsea London 4 2.66x
Kilrenny 4 73.26x
Kimberworth 4 14.59x
Kinnoull 4 68.03x
Marykirk 4 160.00x
Newington 4 2.17x
Poplar London 4 4.25x
Rotherham 4 14.36x
Rotherhithe 4 6.49x
St Andrew Holborn London 4 18.54x
St George Hanover Square 4 4.55x
St Michaelinthe Vale 4 75.90x
St Pancras London 4 1.00x
Twerton 4 48.37x
West Derby 4 2.31x
Aberdeen Old Machar 3 3.11x
Aberystruth 3 9.45x
Arbroath 3 19.61x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 3.26x
Burtonwood 3 138.25x
Clotton Hoofield 3 517.24x
Dundee 3 1.74x
Ealing 3 6.73x
Elswick 3 5.07x
Hackney London 3 1.07x
Huyton With Roby 3 43.29x
Kinwarton 3 3000.00x
Mile End New Town London 3 30.46x
Ashton In Makerfield 2 11.88x
Atherton 2 9.29x
Barnes 2 19.47x
Cottingham 2 18.78x
Devizes St James 2 34.13x
Doncaster 2 5.54x
Fawley 2 61.73x
Great Bedwin 2 63.90x
Kintore 2 49.88x
Knutsford Nether 2 30.08x
Llanrwst 2 30.67x
Putney 2 8.80x
Radford 2 5.86x
Shoreditch London 2 0.93x
South Leith 2 2.66x
Southampton St Mary 2 3.11x
St Sampson 2 30.03x
Taunton St James 2 17.09x
Whitechapel London 2 4.07x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 22
Thomas 18
John 17
James 14
Joseph 11
Charles 7
George 7
Edward 6
Robert 6
Francis 5
Henry 5
Alfred 4
Arthur 3
Frederick 3
Louis 3
Peter 3
Walter 3
Albert 2
Alexander 2
Auguste 2
Ed. 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Hippolite 2
Richard 2
Victor 2
Andrew 1
Bertie 1
Ebinezer 1
Enoch 1
Eugene 1
Ferdinand 1
Francois 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.B. 1
Godfrey 1
Henery 1
Hugh 1
Isaac 1
Isaiah 1
Ivey 1
Josiah 1
Leon 1
Michal 1
Paul 1
R.W. 1
Reinbert 1
Richd. 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Gerard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gerard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 488 people were recorded with the Gerard surname. That placed it at #6,898 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gerard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 660 in 2016. That gives Gerard a modern rank of #8,078.

What does the Gerard surname mean?

A surname of French origin referring to a brave, strong, or hardy spearman.

What does the Gerard map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gerard 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.