DESPARD
Despard
Despard is an English surname believed to have Norman origins. The name Despard is thought to have been brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname Despard is derived from the Old French personal name 'des + pard', which means 'of the pard'. The 'pard' being a medieval term for a leopard.
The Despard surname has been recorded in various forms throughout history including Despards, Dispard, Dospard, Disspard, and Despert. The Despard family has been documented as having held land and titles in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Essex.
One of the most notable figures with the Despard surname is Edward Marcus Despard (1751-1803), a British Colonial Administrator and military officer. He served as the Superintendent of the Bay of Honduras and was later executed for his involvement in a rebellion in British Honduras.
The Despard surname continues to be present in Britain today, with individuals bearing this name found across the country. The name Despard holds historical significance and remains a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames.
There are approximately 85 people named Despard in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Despard.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- John
- Peter
- Richard
Female
- Gillian
- Janice
- Joanna
- Kay
- Yvonne