Ghirardi History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

A variety of distinguished and notable names have emerged from the beautiful and historical Italian region of Tuscany, including the notable surname Ghirardi. During the Middle Ages, as populations grew and travel between regions became more frequent, the people of Tuscany, who were originally known only by a single name, found it necessary to adopt a second name to identify themselves and their families. This process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries, but it was not completed until the modern era. The development of Italian hereditary surnames followed general principles and were characterized by derivatives from one's given name. The patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, was one of the most common name types found in the region of Tuscany. This system of name-making was widely used because it linked well with the existing Feudal System and during the Christian era, many people named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Ghirardi came from the personal name Gerard, which was itself derived from the Old German Gerhard, which means spear-brave.

Early Origins of the Ghirardi family

The surname Ghirardi was first found in Tuscany (Italian: Toscana), a region in central Italy, in the northern area of the Garfagnana. Records can be found as early as 970, with the Gherardinghi family who owned the castles of Verrucola, Bibbiano, Bogli, San Romano, and Sommacologna.

Early History of the Ghirardi family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ghirardi research. The years 1358, 1367, 1440, 1638 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Ghirardi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ghirardi Spelling Variations

Surnames that originated in Italy are characterized by an enormous number of spelling variations. Some of these are derived from regional traditions and dialects. Northern names, for instance, often end in "o", while southern names tend to end in "i". Other variations come from the fact the medieval scribes tended to spell according to the sound of words, rather than any particular set of rules. The recorded variations of Ghirardi include Gherardi, Gherardo, Gherardis, Ghirardi, Ghirardo, Gherlardi, Ghelardo, Ghilardi, Gerardi, Gheraldi, Ghiraldi, Ghiroldi, Geraldi, Geraldo, Geroldi, Giraldi, Giraldo, Ciraldo, Giraudo, Giraud, Girod, Giroldi, Gherardelli, Gherardini, Gherardinghi, Gerardini, Gerardello, Gherarducci, Gherardeschi, Della Gherardesca, Ghirardelli, Ghilardini, Ghelardini, Girardini, Girardin, Girardoni, Girardone, Girardengo, Geraldini and many more.

Early Notables of the Ghirardi family

Prominent among members of the family was Ugolino Della Gherardesca, a Pisan Ghibelline leader during the 13th century. The Gherardesca family of Pisa was one of the most powerful and respected families in the city at this time. Of this family was Pietro Gherardesca, Cardinal of Pisa with the title of San Susanna; also of this family was Ugolino Gherardesca, who was written about by Dante Alighieri. Guelfo Gerardini was head of the Guelph faction in Florence in 1358...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ghirardi Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ghirardi migration to the United States +

In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Ghirardi

Ghirardi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alberto Ghirardi, aged 41, who immigrated to America from Mallono, Italy, in 1907
Colomba Ghirardi, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Bedonia, Italy, in 1909
Gelsomina Ghirardi, aged 33, who landed in America from Malonno, Italy, in 1910
Benigno Ghirardi, aged 7, who landed in America from Malonno, Italy, in 1910
Giacomo Ghirardi, aged 1, who settled in America from Venasca, Italy, in 1911

Contemporary Notables of the name Ghirardi (post 1700) +

Giancarlo Ghirardi (1935-2018), Italian physicist and emeritus professor of theoretical physics at the University of Trieste
Tommaso Ghirardi (b. 1975), Italian businessman, President of Italian association football club Parma F.C