GARROD

Garrod is an English surname that can be traced back to the medieval era. Its earliest attestations appear in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1230, during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272), where it is recorded under the spelling John Gerard. This places the name firmly within the English tradition of surnames derived from personal names.

The surname Garrod originates from the given name Gerard, which was introduced into England and Scotland following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Gerard is a compound of the Germanic elements ger meaning “spear” and hard meaning “brave” or “strong.” Consequently, the meaning conveyed by the name can be interpreted as “brave with a spear” or “strong with a spear.”

Historical records show that the name evolved alongside its Norman-French influences. In the Domesday Book of 1086 the personal names Gerardus and Geraldi are recorded separately, although they soon became conflated. The two names share the same Germanic roots, with Gerald extending the meaning to “spear‑rule” through the addition of wald, meaning “rule.” Both Gerard and Gerald were exceedingly popular, leading to a wide array of modern surnames that descend from them, including Garrod, Garratt, Garrett, Garrad, Garred, Garrud, Garret, Gerald, Jarrett and Jerrold.

Documentary evidence of the surname’s usage is found in several parish registries. For example, the marriage of John Garrod and Joan French was recorded in Uxbridge, Middlesex on 6 February 1540. In a similar vein, the christening of Thomas, son of Frederyke Garratt, took place at St. Margaret's, Westminster on 1 May 1574. These instances highlight the name’s presence in both English and Scottish ecclesiastical records.

Throughout its history, Garrod has persisted as a recognizable surname within the British Isles, particularly within England. Its variations reflect the linguistic shifts of the medieval period, while its enduring form demonstrates the continuity of family names in English society.

Typical given names associated with the Garrod surname

Male

• Andrew
• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Michael
• Paul
• Peter
• Philip
• Stephen

Female

• Christine
• Janet
• Julie
• Kelly
• Margaret
• Mary
• Michelle
• Patricia
• Rebecca
• Sarah
• Sharon
• Susan
• Yvonne

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Garrod in...

Braille

⠛⠁⠗⠗⠕⠙

Morse

--..-.-..-.----..

Semaphore

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Garrod

• Dorothy Garrod - Archaeologist and first female Professor at the University of Cambridge (1892 to 1968)
• Archibald Garrod - Doctor (1857 to 1936)
• H. W. Garrod - Academic (1878 to 1960)
• Ben Garrod - Evolutionary biologist, primatologist and broadcaster
• Alfred Henry Garrod - Zoologist (1846 to 1879)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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