Surname Gaillard - Meaning and Origin
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Q. Gaillard
read moreGaillard: What does the surname Gaillard mean?
The last name Gaillard is of French origin and is derived from an old French word meaning "mighty" or "full of vigor". The name Gaillard is a nod to an individual who was seen as a strong and brave person; someone who was not easily intimidated.
The origin of the surname Gaillard traces back over 800 years to a period when the population of Europe was on the move. During this time, many families moved away from their homeland in search of new opportunities. Many of these families brought their surnames with them and the unique name of Gaillard was born.
Throughout history, individuals with the last name Gaillard have often been linked to hospitality and travel. One of the most famous people with the last name Gaillard was a French naval officer in the 1700s who held the title of Governor of Nouvelle-France.
Most people with the last name Gaillard have chosen to reside in France, although some have spread out around the world. There is a large cluster of people with the last name Gaillard in Louisiana due to the waves of French colonists who settled there in the 1700s.
Today, many people with the last name Gaillard still proudly carry the French flag as their symbol of heritage and strength. Gaillards are associated with a fierce courage and a strong resistance to adversity. It is a surname rich with history and culture, and one that should be celebrated.
Order DNA origin analysisGaillard: Where does the name Gaillard come from?
The last name Gaillard is most commonly found in areas with French-speaking heritage like France, parts of the United States, Canada, and various islands in the Caribbean. In France, Gaillard is a relatively common surname, particularly in the central and northern regions such as Picardie, Bresse, Bourgogne, Lorraine and Vendee. Within the United States, it is most prevalent in Louisiana, where many descendants of French settlers still live. Statistics from Louisiana’s Office of Public Health suggest that around 20,000 people of French-speaking descent are living in the state and around 6,000 of them bear the Gaillard surname.
In Canada, the Gaillard name is particularly common in Quebec and Alberta, where a large number of French-speaking immigrants have settled. It is also somewhat prevalent on islands in the Caribbean, especially ones where the population is descended from French immigrants, like Haiti, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
Of course, the Gaillard name may also be found outside of these areas. There is a small yet important diaspora of French-speaking people across the world, with individuals bearing the Gaillard surname residing in almost every continent. For example, there are several Gaillaards living in India, the United Kingdom, Australia and even places as far away as Kenya.
Variations of the surname Gaillard
The Gaillard surname has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Gallard, Galliard, Galliarde, Gailard, Gailarde, Gallardina, Galard, Galeer, Galer, Galere, Galley, Gallay, Gaylard, Gaylord and Gayler.
The first two variants, Gallard and Galliard, come from a combination of the Old French words gal, which means 'power' or 'valor', and ard, which means 'bold'.
The second group, Gailard, Gailarde, Gallardina, Galard, Galer, Galere, Galley, Gallay, Gaylard, Gaylord and Gayler, are all based on the Norman French law term “gavelot”, meaning an estate or the owner and master of such an estate.
The final spelling variant of Gaillard is Guillard, which came from the combination of the Old French words guī, meaning 'leader' or 'lord', and the Germanic element -harl, which means “army”.
In the United States, Gaillard is the 64,152nd most common surname. Variants include Galliard, Gaylord, Galer, and Gaylard. There are also cases where the spelling has been modified due to an influx of new immigrants, such as Gylard, Gilard, Gierd, Gileard, and Gilliard.
The Gaillard surname has been found in France, England, Canada, and the United States, as well as various other countries. Variants have also been found in Brazil, Italy, and other parts of Europe.
Famous people with the name Gaillard
- Kevin Gaillard: French professional football goalkeeper.
- Mike Gaillard: American professional football linebacker, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Johnny Gaillard: former professional baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Pat Gaillard: American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association.
- Jules Gaillard: French composer of classical music during the 19th century.
- Stéphane Gaillard: French National Cyclo-Cross Champion.
- Bronia Gaillard: Russian-born sculptor and artist mainly known for his bronze sculptures.
- Mike Gaillard: professional ice hockey player who currently plays with the Manchester Storm in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
- Cédric Gaillard: French professional tennis player.
- Yann Gaillard: former Professional golfer from France.