Contents [hide]

Garland History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Garland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The first family to use the name Garland lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Garland is derived from the Old English personal name Gærland. However, the surname Garland may be a local name derived from some place which is now unknown; gær and land are common elements in Old English nomenclature.

Early Origins of the Garland family

The surname Garland was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland. Searching through early records, we discovered: "Robert Gerland of Perthshire rendered homage [to King Edward I of England] in 1296, Thomas Gerland was rector of the church of Banevy, 1321, and Gilbert Gerland was bailie of Perth, 1359. Thomas Garland was burgess of Linlithgow in 1360, and Roger Gerland or Garland was rector of the church of Eglisham, 1368-1370." 1

The name may have originated in England as of note was Johannes de Garlandia or John of Garland (fl. c. 1205-1255) was a philologist and university teacher who studied at Oxford. Another Johannes de Garlandia (Johannes Gallicus) (fl. c. 1270-1320) was a French music theorist of the late ars antiqua period of medieval music. And John Garland (fl. 1230), was an early grammarian and alchemist, who was assigned by Bale and Pits to the eleventh century, but some argue that he was also a native of France. 2

Further south in the parish of Chumleigh, Devon, "Garland is supposed by Prince to have been the birthplace of John de Garland (Garlandia), a poet of the eleventh century, and it continued in the Garlands until the close of the seventeenth century. " 3

There is much debate as to which century the important poet lived as another source explains "John Garland (fl. 1230), grammarian and alchemist, was assigned by Bale and Pits to the eleventh century, and Dom Rivet, accepting this date, argued that he was also a native of France. They were not acquainted, however, with Garland's poem, 'De Triumphis Ecclesiæ.' Garland there describes himself as one whose mother was England and his nurse Gaul, and says that he had studied at Oxford under one John of London, a philosopher. From Oxford he went to Paris, and since he there studied under Alain de Lille, who died in 1202, we may assume that he was born about 1180. " 2

Early History of the Garland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garland research. Another 211 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1202, 1296, 1379, 1389, 1425, 1482, 1487, 1578, 1598, 1637, 1642, 1660, 1661, 1787 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Garland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garland Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Garland has appeared Garland, Garlland, Gerland, Gerlond and others.

Early Notables of the Garland family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was

Augustine Garland (fl. 1660), English Regicide, son of Augustine Garland, attorney, of Coleman Street, London...
Garland strenuously denied the charge, saying, 'If I was guilty of this inhumanity I desire no favour from God Almighty' (Trial...
The death sentence was not put into execution, but Garland's property was confiscated, and he was kept prisoner in the Tower2...

Garland World Ranking

In the United States, the name Garland is the 1,257^th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Garland is ranked the 254^th most popular surname with an estimated 174 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Garland family to Ireland

Some of the Garland family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 175 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garland migration to the United States +

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Garland:

Garland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Peter Garland, who landed in Virginia in 1616 6
Peter Garland, who arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1634 6
Hugh Garland, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 6
Jo Garland, aged 19, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 6
Peter Garland, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Garland Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Joseph Garland, who landed in Virginia in 1703 6
Grace Garland, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 6
George Garland, aged 25, who landed in New York in 1775 6
Bryan Garland, aged 25, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1776 6

Garland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Garland, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1812 6
Michael Garland, aged 27, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1838 6
Edward F Garland, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 6
George Garland, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1844 6
H Garland, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Garland migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Garland Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ann Garland, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
Thomas Garland, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1834
Mr. John Garland, (b. 1821), aged 34, English labourer, from St. Teath, Cornwall, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 7
Mrs. Mary Garland, (b. 1813), aged 42, English settler, from St. Teath, Cornwall, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking 7
Mr. John Garland, (b. 1849), aged 6, English settler, from St. Teath, Cornwall, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he died in the sinking 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Garland migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Garland Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Francis Garland, (b. 1761), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Winchester, Winchestershire, England for life for highway robbery, transported aboard the "Charlotte" on 13th May 1787, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8

Garland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Garland, (b. 1793), aged 27, Irish seaman who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Peter Garland, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Garland, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 12th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Mr. William Garland, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Joseph Garland who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Garland migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Garland Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Garland, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "John Masterman" in 1857
Mary Garland, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
Kate Garland, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
Thomas Garland, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
Henry Garland, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "African" in 1860
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Garland migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 14

Garland Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Daniel and Elizabeth Garland who settled in Barbados in 1654
William Garland, who settled in Barbados in 1663

Contemporary Notables of the name Garland (post 1700) +

Merrick Brian Garland (b. 1952), American lawyer, jurist, 86th United States Attorney General
Judy Garland (1922-1969), stage name of Frances Ethel Gumm, famed American actress and singer, winner of an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Special Tony Award
John Garland (1792-1861), American career United States soldier in the Regular Army who had a long career that spanned fifty years of service during the War of 1812, Seminole Wars, Mexican-American War, Utah War and the American Civil War
Hamlin Garland, American short story writer and novelist
Sir Patrick Neville Garland (1929-2023), British barrister and jurist, Judge of the High Court (Queen’s Bench Division) from 1985 to 2002
Christopher "Chris" Garland (1949-2023), English footballer who played in all four divisions of the Football League and was capped once by England at under-23 level
Sir Ransley Victor "Vic" Garland KBE (1934-2022), Australian politician and diplomat, member of the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1981, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1981 to 1983
Mr. Anthony Garland, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1530 to 1531
Ken Garland (1929-2021), British graphic designer, photographer, writer and educator
Ailsa Garland, British broadcaster of television and radio
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/charlotte
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 28th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 8th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/circassian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies