Surname Garret - Meaning and Origin
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Garret: What does the surname Garret mean?
The last name Garret is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is thought to have first appeared in Scotland or Ireland. The name Garret is composed of two elements, being the personal name “Gar”, from the old German “gar” meaning “spear”, and the suffix “et”, which denotes possession or belonging. Therefore, Garret literally translates to "belonging to Gar".
The earliest known occurrence of the surname is in the 1210 data rolls of Warwickshire, England. A John Garrod was mentioned there. A John Garrett was also mentioned in the Somerset Subsidy Rolls of 1327.
The name Garret was used by numerous families in the area of the British Isles known by the Celtic name Strathclyde. These settlers may have come from several sources, notably from England, where the name Garrett and variants such as Garet, Garett and Garret arose.
The name was also adopted by Scots speaking families, who had previously used the Gaelic name of MacGreal. It is likely that the Gaelic spelling was adapted to an English form to suit the majority of the population at this early period in the country’s history.
The Garret surname is found regularly in Scotland where one branch of the family is believed to have come to prominence during the late 12th century and a Gilbert Garret was one of the first proprietors of a barony. From Scotland the name spread to many parts of the world, including Ireland, the US, Canada, and Australia.
Garret is a proud and noble last name that still holds a strong presence across Scotland and further afield.
Order DNA origin analysisGarret: Where does the name Garret come from?
The last name Garret is most commonly associated with Ireland and the United Kingdom today. Its variants Gratten, Garratt, Gerald, Garretson and Garet are also found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The name originates from a Gaelic personal name ‘Gearalt’ which is derived from the Gaelic word ‘gearr’ meaning ‘short’ or ‘brief’. In the medieval period, this name was brought to England in the form of ‘Gerald’ by the Normans to honour William the Conqueror’s companions, who were known to have included a Gerald or two amongst their number.
In Ireland, the surname Garret gained popularity as an Anglicisation of the Irish name ‘Gearóid.’ It was particularly common in County Tipperary, and there are still many Garrets in that area today. Similarly, the principal concentration of the English Garretts is around Birmingham, London, and other parts of the Midlands, as well as scattered around coastal areas.
In North America, people bearing the Garret surname arrived in1600s, and by the late 19th century there were already many Garrets living in both the United States and Canada. The total number of Garretts in the US and Canada is now estimated to be well over 100,000, though the families are scattered throughout the continent and their last names have changed over time. Additionally, there are many people with the Garret surname in Australia, New Zealand, and various other English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Garret
The surname Garret has various spellings and variants depending on the region and country where it originated. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the most common spellings and variants are Garrett, Gareth, Gerrit and Garratt. In the United States, Garret is one spelling of the same surname and is often seen spelled as Garret.
In Germany and the Netherlands, this surname is often found spelled as Garret, Garreth, and Garrett. It is also sometimes spelled as Garrits or Garratis. In France, it is encountered as Garret, Garat, Garrette, and Garrait.
In some cases, variations of this surname are ammended to one's given name such as Garreton or Garretson. In certain instances, this surname is also combined with other regional surnames such as Garrido, Garrigan, or Garron.
This surname has been used since the Middle Ages and is of Norman origin. Its derivation likely comes from the Old French given name, Garin. It is believed to mean 'little Gary' or 'spear strength'. It is also possible that this surname has origins from the Old English given name, Gerheard, which derives from the Germanic elements ger (spear) and hard (strong).
Today, the surname Garret is commonly used throughout the English-speaking world. It is also seen across many countries in Europe and beyond.
Famous people with the name Garret
- Melinda Garret: actress, best known for appearances in movies such as Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Rideshare (2018).
- Madolyn Garret Smith: Grammy Award-winning American singer and songwriter.
- Jeff Garret: American jazz singer and songwriter.
- William Garret: American actor, known for roles in films such as Bad Moms (2016) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018).
- Edward Garret: British producer, composer and arranger.
- Robert Garret: American NFL running back with the Dallas Cowboys.
- Laura Dern Garret: American actress, director, producer, and philanthropist, best known for roles in Jurassic Park (1993) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).
- Danielle Garret: English stage and film actress, best known for appearing in Elizabeth (1998) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).
- Glen Garret: American actor and producer, known for roles in films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003).
- Liza Garret: American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.