Surname The GILLARD surname - Meaning and Origin
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The GILLARD surname: What does the surname The GILLARD surname mean?
Gillard is an ancient French surname, most likely derived from the French word “gillet,” meaning “young goat” or “kid.” It is believed to have been used to identify a person who herded or looked after goats and derived from the Old French word “gillet” or “ygillet”.
The name Gillard is believed to have first originated in the northern French region of Normandy, where its use as a personal name dates back to the Middle Ages. Over time, the name became enriched with new meanings and associations; by the 18th century, Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gillard (1741-1787) was known as one of the founders of modern chemistry.
As a surname, the recorded form of the name varies from country to country. In France, the name has been spelled as Gileard, Gilleard, Guilleard, Guillard, Guileard, and Guileore. In England, the spelling often became Geller, Gillard, Gillert, Gillerd, Gilard, and even Hallard.
Gillard is a popular surname in France and its former colonies. In the United States, there are an estimated twenty thousand people with the surname Gillard. Although the name is French in origin, it can also be found in other parts of the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa.
Today, the Gillard surname continues to hold a prestigious place in French culture and can be found among many distinguished people. From Micheal Gillard, a French artist who developed the famous “L’Art de Gillard” technique, to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia, the name is associated with a rich history and noteworthy accomplishments.
Order DNA origin analysisThe GILLARD surname: Where does the name The GILLARD surname come from?
The GILLARD surname is common worldwide, both historically and in modern times. It is especially popular in France, as the name is of French origin. It can also be found in places such as Canada, the United States, Austria, and Luxembourg. In the United States, the GILLARD surname is most commonly found in locations such as Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and California.
Originally, the first GILLARDs in France were concentrated in the area of Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of the country. The Languedoc-Roussillon is the former province at the foot of the Pyrenees that is now divided into the départements of Haute-Garonne, Gers, Tarn, and a number of other areas.
The GILLARD surname is derived from the occupational name Gillard, which is derived from the Old French word ‘gillier’ meaning ‘wood-cutter.’ It is believed to have come to the Languedoc from the north, through the centuries of migration of French people.
The GILLARD surname today can be found in French-speaking countries, as well as in many other countries around the world, especially throughout North America in places such as Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Today, the name is still most common in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, where it has been found for centuries.
Variations of the surname The GILLARD surname
The GILLARD surname has a range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:
Gilarde, Guillard, Guillart, Guilard, Guilarde, Guillar, Guilart, Guilliard, Guillaume, Gillardes, Giller, Guillaum, Guillette, Guillieux, and Guelle.
The GILLARD surname is derived primarily from the French personal name Guillaume. This old French name first appeared in Latin form, as 'Guilhelm', but was commonly shortened to 'Guillaume' in the 12th century.
Gillards can be identified in Britain as early as the 12th century. Records of the name are found in present-day England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. In other parts of the world, the name is common in various countries of western Europe: Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, France, and other Mediterranean countries.
GILLARD is believed to have a French origin. It was commonly used in southern France and other parts of the continent during the Middle Ages, and the spelling variations that developed during this period might possibly reflect regional variations in pronunciation.
The English-language spelling of GILLARD is likely to have become fixed early on as it crossed the English Channel from the Continent in the 15th century. Scottish Gillards settled in wine-making areas of Dorset and Wiltshire produced a pale-coloured life-time drink similar to French white wine called 'Gillard Wine'.
In modern times, many GILLARD-surnamed people have emigrated in search of a better life to all parts of the world, in particular the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name The GILLARD surname
- Julia Gillard: Former Prime Minister of Australia from 2010-2013.
- John Gillard: Father of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
- Maud Gillard: Grandmother of former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
- Stephen Gillard: Former Attorney General of the United Kingdom under the Tony Blair government.
- John K. Gillard: First classical scholar of medieval drama.
- James M. Gillard: Businessman and philanthropist.
- Stephen C. Gillard: Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of the West Indies.
- Caroline Gillard: American sculptor and stone carver.
- Damien Gillard: American football and track and field coach.
- Paul Gillard: French film director.