Gillard name history
The English surname Gillard has a few possible origins. It is most likely to be of patronymic origin, based on the first name of the father. Thus it simply means "son of Guilard". Guilard is a French form of Willard, the Norse name that became popular in England after the Norman Conquest in the eleventh cenury. It may also have derived from "Gaillard" a female name common in England in former times.Other sources argue that the surname may have derived from a nickname which was applied to the first bearer of the name. In this case it would mean "the gaillard, the gay, the joyous or the bold. Thus a high-spirited person with these qualities would have been so called.
Early recorded instances of the surname include John Gayllard of Cambridgeshire who was registered in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, and William Gallard of Oxfordshire also recorded in the same year.There are numerous various spellings of the surname, including Gallard, Gaylard, Gaylord and Gilliard. It is cheifly found in Devonshire in England.
ARMS: Azure, a bend argent between three roses or stalked and leavened vert.TRANSLATION: The heraldic colour azure or blue denotes loyalty and truth. The bend, or diagonal band represents the military shoulder- beltworn in battle in former times. The rose is a symbol of beauty and grace.CREST: An arm embowed vested gules, holding in the hand proper a rose or, slipped and leaved vert.ORIGIN; England.
Source: The Historical Researce Center