Show ContentsGiraud History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Giraud

What does the name Giraud mean?

The prominent surname Giraud originated in France, a country which has been a dominant presence in world affairs for centuries. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in France were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. As well as the names of the saints of the Christian Church, many of the most common French surnames are derived from personal names of Germanic origin. The name Giraud is derived from the Germanic personal name Gerhard, which means "brave spear".

Early Origins of the Giraud family

The surname Giraud was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France where this celebrated family held a family seat from ancient times.

The first member of this ancient family is recorded in the ancient archives as Guillaume Girard of la Magdelaine who was the Magistrate for the county of Charollais in 1325. The Girards were well established in the region of Bourgogne where members of this noble family were prominent citizens in the political arenas of the times. By 1370, members of the family held the title of Lord of Charollais, such as Etienne Girard of Perrecy.

As many members of this family held important positions in political and military fields, they were deeply affected by the French Revolution. Some important members at this time were: Jean François Girard, a Deputy for the Clergy at the Estates General in 1789; François Joseph Henri Girard, Secretary General at the Prefecture and a Legislator; Jean-Baptiste Girard, Count, Commander and Officer of the Legion of Honour, promoted to General of the Brigade in November, 1806, and who received the Cross of Saint-Louis from the Emperor; and Jean-Pierre Girard, who became General of the Brigade after being Chief of the 3rd Batallion, and was later made a member of the Legion of Honour and a Baron of the Empire. 1

Early History of the Giraud family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Giraud research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1518, 1528, 1595, 1632, 1641, 1648 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Giraud History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Giraud Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gerrard, Girard, Girarde, Girardeau, Girardin, Girart, Girars, Girardes, Jirard, Jirarde, Jirart, Jirars, Guérard, Guirard, Guirarde, Guirart, Guirars and many more.

Early Notables of the Giraud family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Giraud Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Giraud Ranking

In France, the name Giraud is the 88th most popular surname with an estimated 30,696 people with that name. 2


Giraud migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Giraud Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Daniel Giraud, who arrived in New York in 1698 3
Giraud Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Giraud, who arrived in New York in 1798 3
Giraud Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ernest Giraud, who landed in New York in 1851 3
  • Jean Giraud, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1893
  • Emma Giraud, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Giraud Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Andre Giraud, aged 38, who settled in America from Paris, in 1905
  • Damian Giraud, aged 50, who landed in America from Orcieres, France, in 1908
  • Elisa Giraud, aged 26, who settled in America from Toulouse, France, in 1910
  • Constance Giraud, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States, in 1911
  • Fernand Giraud, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Paris, France, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Giraud migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Giraud Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Pierre Giraud, who landed in Acadia in 1686
Giraud Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Antoine Giraud, aged 20, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1917

Contemporary Notables of the name Giraud (post 1700) +

  • Daniel Giraud (1946-2023), French essayist, translator, and poet
  • Claude Giraud (1936-2020), French theatre and film actor
  • Adrien Giraud (1936-2018), French politician, member of the Senate of France
  • Hubert Yves Adrian Giraud (1920-2016), French composer and lyricist
  • Antoine Giraud, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 4
  • Yvette Giraud (b. 1916), French singer from Paris
  • Robert Giraud (1921-1997), French poet and journalist
  • Jean-Baptiste Giraud (1752-1830), French sculptor from Aix-en-Provence
  • Jean Giraud (1936-2007), French mathematician
  • Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (1938-2012), French comics artist
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, March 6) Antoine Giraud. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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