Gardner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Gardner

What does the name Gardner mean?

The history of the name Gardner dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from a member of the family who worked as a gardener. The surname Gardner originally derived from the Old French word gardinier. 1

It was later adopted in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names have remained fairly common in the modern period. This is attested to by the continuing appearance of occupational suffixes at the end of many English surnames. Some of these suffixes include: herd, monger, maker, hewer, smith, and wright. Similarly, surnames of office, which include military, judicial, papal and other positions of authority, are widespread throughout Europe. Those who were involved in the military, or feudal armies, were given names such as the English surname Archer, the French name Chevalier and the German name Jeger, which means hunter. Names that were derived from judicial and papal titles, such asBailiffe, Squire and Abbott, are still commonly seen with the same surname spelling today.

Early Origins of the Gardner family

The surname Gardner was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat from very early times. Early records show William le Gardinier in county Rutland in 1199; William Gardin, listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Huntingdon in 1218, John atte Gardyne, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296; and Walter le Gardiner listed in the Subsidy Rolls for London in 1292. 2

The name is "most characteristic of the midland counties, and of the eastern counties south of the Wash. Singularly rare in the south - west, and in the north of England, excepting Lancashire. At present best represented in Essex, Lancashire, and Warwickshire." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has the following entries for the family: Geoffrey le Gardiner, Oxfordshire; Richard le Gardiner, Cambridgeshire; Ralph le Gardener, Huntingdonshire; and William le Gardiner, or Gardener, Lincolnshire. 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had only two entries:Thomas Gardiner; and Thomas Garchiner as holding lands there at that time.

In Scotland, the name was rendered in Latin charters as ortolanus and under that spelling the first Scottish record was found: Rogerus Ortolanus, who was juror on an inquest in 1296. "In 1329 there is record of meal delivered to Nicholas Gerdener who is again referred to as Nicholas ortolanus. Gilbert ortolanus is also referred to in the same source. Robert Gardnar was a notary public in the diocese of Dunblane in 1426." 5

Early History of the Gardner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gardner research. Another 301 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1300, 1370, 1452, 1454, 1458, 1478, 1486, 1493, 1503, 1531, 1535, 1545, 1555, 1589, 1591, 1592, 1599, 1604, 1624, 1635, 1636, 1637, 1640, 1662, 1663, 1668, 1674, 1688, 1695, 1705, 1726, 1732, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gardner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardner Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Gardner has undergone many spelling variations, including Gardiner, Gardner and others.

Early Notables of the Gardner family

Thomas Gardner (c. 1592-1674), English settler to Massachusetts, Overseer of the "old planters" party of the Dorchester Company who landed in 1624 who some consider as the first Governor of Massachuse...

Gardner World Ranking

the United States, the name Gardner is the 164^th most popular surname with an estimated 141,759 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Gardner is ranked the 518^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,416 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Gardner is the 224^th popular surname with an estimated 14,965 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Gardner as 228^th with 2,552 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Gardner as 173^rd with 31,363 people. 10

Migration of the Gardner family to Ireland

Some of the Gardner family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardner migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gardner were among those contributors:

Gardner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

George Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship " Zouch Phoenix" 12
Mrs. Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship " Zouch Phoenix" 12
Thomas Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship " Zouch Phoenix" 12
Richard Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship "Zouch Phoenix" 13
Joseph Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship "Zouch Phoenix" 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jasper Gardner, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 12
Peeter Gardner, who landed in New York in 1709 12
Ringing Gardner, who landed in Virginia in 1711 12
Rachel Gardner, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 12
Thoda Gardner, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1718 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Gardner, who landed in America in 1804 12
Elizabeth Gardner, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 12
Eleanor Gardner, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 12
Arthur Gardner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 12
Arthur, Gardner Jr., who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner migration to Canada +

Gardner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Gardner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Gardner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Gardner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Luke Gardner was a shoreman of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1758 14
Mr. Alexander Gardner U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Gardner, who arrived in Canada in 1812
James Gardner, aged 17, who landed in Canada in 1812
Robert Gardner, who landed in Canada in 1815
Robert Gardner, aged 32, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
William Gardner, who arrived in Canada in 1831
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Miss D Gardner, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Gardner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Daniel Gardner, (Gardiner), (b. 1757), aged 32, British settler convicted in Norfolk, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11

Second Fleet

Mr. Thomas Gardner, British settler convicted in Cornwall in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12
Mr. Gibbon Gardner, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 12

Third Fleet

Mr. Francis Gardner, (b. 1770), aged 17, English settler convicted in London on 21st April 1784, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 12

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Gardner Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. David Gardner, English convict who was convicted in Ely (Isle of Ely), Cambridgeshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. John Gardner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16

Gardner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Robert Gardner, (Gardiner), (1775 - 1873), aged 30, British settler who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years for stealing birds, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. William Gardner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. William Gardner, (Gardener), (b. 1774), aged 41, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for theft with violence, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1834 19
Mr. Matthew Gardner, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
James Gardner, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner 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:

Gardner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Gardner, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Gardner, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Geo Fife
William Gardner, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842
William Gardner, aged 39, a ropemaker, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Zealand" in 1842
Margaret Gardner, aged 40, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Zealand" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner 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

Gardner Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Miss Ann Gardner, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 23
Martin Gardner, aged 28, who arrived in Barbados in 1684 12

Contemporary Notables of the name Gardner (post 1700) +

John William Gardner (1912-2002), American Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Guy Spence Gardner (b. 1948), American former NASA Astronaut with over 13 days in space 24
Kenneth Kay "Ken" Gardner (1949-2024), American basketball player, known for playing for the French club AS Berck, which won the French National Championship in 1973 and 1974
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (b. 2000), American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League
David Pierpont Gardner (1933-2024), American academic, 15th President of the University of California
Rita Gardner (1934-2022), née Schier, an American actress and singer, best known for P.S. I Love You (2007), Law & Order (1990) and Shiva Baby (2020)
Burgess LaMarr Gardner (1936-2021), American jazz musician, educator, and composer who played the trumpet with jazz legends such as Count Basie, Horace Silver, Louie Bellson and Ray Charles
Lisa Gardner (b. 1972), American novelist, author of more than 20 suspense novels
Richard Newton Gardner (1927-2019), American Rhodes Scholar and diplomat, United States Ambassador to Italy (1977-1981), United States Ambassador to Spain (1993-1997)
... (Another 33 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Gardner family +

Cataraqui

Edward Gardner (b. 1806), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Anne Gardner (b. 1808), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Charlotte Gardner (b. 1830), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Henry Gardner (b. 1833), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
Sarah Gardner (b. 1836), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
... (Another 18 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Guy Gardner. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/gardner-gs.html