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Show ContentsGarrett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Although the Garrett surname came to Britain with the Normans, it derives from the Germanic personal names Gerard, or Gerald, composed of the elements "gar," or "ger," meaning "spear," "hard," meaning "brave," or "strong," and "wald," meaning "rule." 1

Not all of the family made the crossing with the Conqueror as Roger and William Garet were both listed in Normandy in 1180. A few years later, Arnulph and William Garet were also listed there in 1198. 2

Early Origins of the Garrett family

The surname Garrett was first found in Lincolnshire, where a Geraddus filius Simonis is on record in 1242 in Liber Feodorum. The same source also included Peter Geraud son of Robert Gerold 1250-1251 in Northumberland. 3

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included the family as a forename and surname: Johannes Gerard; Thomas Gerard; and Gyrerd Tolus. 1 In Cumberland, Thomas Gerad was listed there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332. 4

In Somerset, Adam Garet was registered there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign) 5 and John Gerad was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1230. 4

Early History of the Garrett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garrett research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1379, 1511, 1551, 1560, 1579, 1594, 1597, 1603, 1621, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1648, 1650 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Garrett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garrett Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Garrett, Garratt, Garret, Garrat, Garet, Garitt, Garatt and many more.

Early Notables of the Garrett family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • George Garrett or Garrard (1579- after 1650), was an English Member of Parliament. He was a younger son of Sir William Garrard of Dorney Court, Buckinghamshire. He was educated at Merton College, Oxfo...
  • Sir George Garrett (died 1648), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Hindon in 1640. He was elected Alderman of the City of London for Castle Baynard ward on 15 April 1641. He was Sheriff o...
  • Sir William Garrett, was Lord Mayor of London in 1551

Garrett World Ranking

In the United States, the name Garrett is the 238th most popular surname with an estimated 111,915 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Garrett is ranked the 742nd most popular surname with an estimated 5,234 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Garrett is the 542nd popular surname with an estimated 1,292 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Garrett as 667th with 9,875 people. 9

Ireland Migration of the Garrett family to Ireland

Some of the Garrett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Garrett migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Garrett or a variant listed above:

Garrett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. William Garrett, (Garret), brick layer who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia aboard the ship "Discovery" in 1607 10
  • William Garrett, aged 22, who landed in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "George" 11
  • Richard Garrett, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1630 11
  • Mr. Hugh Garrett, British settler from Essex who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Boston 12
  • Mrs. Garrett, British settler from Essex who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Boston 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Garrett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Catherine Garrett, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 11
  • William Garrett, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 11
  • Susannah Garrett, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
  • John Garrett, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
  • Isaac Garrett, who landed in Virginia in 1714 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Garrett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Garrett, who settled in New York, NY in 1803
  • Hen Garrett, aged 33, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 11
  • S Ann Garrett, aged 27, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 11
  • James Garrett, aged 45, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 11
  • Hugh Garrett, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Garrett migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Garrett Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Richard Garrett U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 228 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 13
  • Mr. Ronald Lee Garrett U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13
  • Mr. William Garrett U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13
  • William Garrett, who arrived in Quebec in 1784
Garrett Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Garrett, who arrived in Canada in 1831
  • Townsend Garrett, who arrived in Canada in 1831
  • Mr. Owen Garrett, aged 7 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Goliah" departing 21st May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 18th July 1847 but he died on board 14
  • Augustus S Garrett, who arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1862

Australia Garrett migration to Australia +

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

Garrett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard Garrett, British convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. Thomas Garrett, (b. 1800), aged 20, Irish tabacconist 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 16
  • Mr. William Garrett, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • William Garrett, English convict from Wiltshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. George Garrett, (b. 1800), aged 22, English convict who was convicted in Kent, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1835 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Garrett 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:

Garrett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • W W G Garrett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Gertrude 20
  • Ellen Garrett, aged 18, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 20
  • Mr. Garrett, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st October 1841 21
  • Mrs. Garrett, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st October 1841 21
  • Child Garrett, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gertrude" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st October 1841 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Garrett 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. 22
Garrett Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Garrett, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Matthew" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23
  • Mr. Richard West Garrett, aged 20 who arrived in St. Kitts (St Christopher) aboard the ship "Amity" in 1635 12

Contemporary Notables of the name Garrett (post 1700) +

  • Myles Lorenz Garrett (b. 1995), American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League
  • Thomas Lesslie "Tommy" Garrett (1938-2015), also known as Snuff Garrett, an American record producer whose most famous work was during the 1960s and 1970s
  • Henry Adrian Garrett Jr. (1943-2021), nicknamed "Pat" and "Smokey", an American Major League Baseball player and coach
  • James W. Garrett (1930-2018), American football player, coach, and scout
  • Helen Elizabeth Garrett (1963-2016), American professor of law and an academic administrator, 13th President of Cornell University (2015-2016)
  • Robert Garrett (1875-1961), American two time gold and two time silver Olympic medalist for athletics in the 1896 games and two time bronze medalist for 1900 games 24
  • Brigadier-General Robert C. Garrett (1886-1981), American Commanding General Hawaiian Seacoast Artillery Command (1941-1945) 25
  • Mario Garrett (b. 1959), American professor, and Chairman of the Department of Gerontology, at San Diego State University
  • Patrick "Pat" Floyd Garrett (1850-1908), American "Old West" lawman, and customs agent, best known as the sheriff who tracked down and shot the escaped outlaw Billy the Kid
  • Thomas Garrett (1789-1871), American Quaker merchant, credited with helping more than 2,700 slaves escape to freedom
  • ... (Another 113 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Basil Farmer Garrett (1919-1941), English Able Seaman from Hanwell, Ealing, England, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 26
North Sea Flood
  • John Garrett, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953
Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)
  • Paul Isaac Garrett (1947-1988), American Flight Attendant from Napa, California, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 27
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Orville Wilmer Garrett, American Shipfitter Second Class from Missouri, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 28

Suggested Readings for the name Garrett +

  • A Book of Garretts, 1600-1960 by Hester Elizabeth Garrett.
  • Garrett, Catlett, Ware, and Related Families by Sunie Garrett Talbert Elliott Fisher.
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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)
  12. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 77)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  18. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 190 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1822
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Athletes - Famous Olympic Athletes, Medalists, Sports Heroes. (Retrieved 2014, February 20) Robert Garrett. Retrieved from http://www.olympic.org/content/olympic-athletes/generic-athlete-page/?athleteid=58193
  25. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 5) Robert Garrett. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Garrett/Robert_C./USA.html
  26. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  27. Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
  28. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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