The Gaillard Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of Gaillard, its origins in France, and the story behind a Gaillard family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Gaillard coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Gaillard name
Gaillard comes from Old French gaillard, "vigorous, strong, lively", a nickname for a hearty or bold man. The word is probably of Gaulish origin, from a root meaning "strength". The surname is widespread across France, especially the south-west and centre, and in Switzerland and Quebec.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Gaillard name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Gaillard name in France. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Canada, Switzerland and Belgium; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Gaillard family history
The complete Gaillard pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
Gaillard name FAQ
What does the Gaillard name mean?
Vigorous, lively. Common variants include Gaillardet, Gallard, Gagliardi.
Where does the Gaillard surname come from?
It originates in France, and is also found in Canada, Switzerland and Belgium.
Is there a Gaillard coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Gaillard crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Gaillard coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Albert Dauzat & Marie-Thérèse Morlet, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).