Surname Erard - Meaning and Origin

Exploring the Ancestral Trails with iGENEA: Chronicles of the Erard Surname Unveiled

Venturing deeper into the realms of my ancestry, kept secret by time and translated through my DNA, I found my lineage entwined with valiant Celtic bloodlines and sanctified by a heritage located in France. The discovery of my connection to the exceptional Erard dynasty, known for their innovative prowess and affinity for grand pianos, promised an unforeseen adventure. This process answered some pertinent questions about my roots and happily raised a few more. All this made me realize one crucial point – being an Erard means sharing a legacy with innumerable great figures from history.

M. Erard

Erard: What does the surname Erard mean?

Erard is a surname that has roots in Medieval Germany. It is derived from the Germanic personal name Erdward, which is a combination of the words 'erd' meaning 'earth' and 'ward' which means 'guardian'. This combination creates an image of a protector of the land, likely making it a very fitting surname for many Germanic families.

Erard is a popular family name in Germany and France with an interesting history. It has been suggested that the name may have originated from an officer whose surname was Erward and served in the army of Henry I. Such a figure could have been an ancestor to some of the Erard families we see today.

The origin of Erard as a surname in England is not as clear as it is elsewhere but it is known that the name exists in the English language. It is believed that the name may have come to English shores in the 11th century when Norman French Crusaders brought the name with them. It is likely that the Erard family from this period was linked to the Normandy aristocracy because of their French roots.

Overall, the surname Erard denotes a long, proud heritage in England and France. It showcases a sense of strength and protection, suggesting that the owners have an important role to play in protecting the earth and those on it.

Erard: Where does the name Erard come from?

The last name Erard is most common in France and other countries in the French-speaking world, particularly in French-speaking parts of Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada. Globally, Erard is estimated to be the 101,822nd most common last name, with approximately 35,187 people bearing the name. As of 2015, the most people with the last name Erard live in France, followed by Canada, Switzerland, Martinique, and Belgium.

In France, there are nearly 11,000 people with the last name Erard, making it the 1,217th most common name. It is most prevalent in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a region in the eastern part of the country. There it is the 385th most common last name. Other French regions where Erard is relatively more common include Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

In Canada, it is the 1,513th most common last name, with a total of 1,621 people bearing it. Most of them (1,472) live in Quebec, although it is also quite common in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.

In the United States, where it low on the popularity rankings, the last name Erard is concentrated in the northeastern states. In New York, it is the 8,346th most common name, with 387 people having it. There are slightly more people with the last name Erard in Massachusetts (468 people) and Connecticut (427 people), while New Jersey has only 243 people bearing the name.

Variations of the surname Erard

The surname Erard is an occupational name derived from the Old French word ‘erard’, meaning ‘metalworker’. Erard is a common patronymic surname found in France and various countries throughout Europe. It can be spelled in many different ways, including Arard, Erhard, Erhart, Erhardt, Erharte, Erharde, Erarte, Erardt, Ehrard, Ehrhart, Ehrhardt, Ehrer, Airhart, Arata, and Erat.

The variants of Erard can be divided into two main branches. The first branch is derived from the German spelling of the surname, which is often spelled “Erhard/t” or “Ehrhard/t”. This spelling is most popular in Germany and some parts of Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. The second branch of the spelling variations of Erard is derived from the French spelling, usually spelled “Erard”. This spelling is commonly found in France and other French-speaking countries like Canada and the United States.

In addition to these two branches, Erard has several other variants that are found throughout the world. These include Arata, Airhart, and Ehrer. Arata is a relatively rare variant of Erard found in France and parts of Germany. Airhart is a more commonly found variant of Erard in the United States. This spelling variation was likely derived from the German spelling of the name, Erhard/t. Finally, Ehrer is a rare variant that is found mainly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Overall, Erard is a common surname with many different spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most notable variants of Erard include Erhard/t, Erard, Arata, Airhart, and Ehrer.

Famous people with the name Erard

• Sebastien Erard: Best known for his invention of the modern grand piano in the early 19th century, Sebastien Erard was a famous French instrument maker and innovator.
• Pierre Erard: The son of Sebastien Erard, Pierre Erard had a successful musical instrument business in France and was known for his advancements in development of harps, pianos, and other ornaments.
• Pierre Erard de la Brenne: A member of the Erard family, Pierre de la Brenne was a world-renowned harpist and musicologist.
• Gordon Erard: A successful drummer and composer, Gordon Erard is renowned for his contributions to the jazz world.
• Sebastien Erard Jr.: A well-known luthier, Sebastien Erard Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and built on the success of the Erard family by creating custom guitars for some of the biggest rock bands in the world.
• Jean-Baptiste Erard: A famous painter and sculptor, Jean-Baptiste Erard created paintings for France's royal court and numerous religious and civil works.
• Stan Erard: Stan Erard is a stand-up comedian and actor who has appeared in a variety of films and television shows.
• Louis Erard: A watchmaker and luxury goods designer, Louis Erard is the founder of the luxury watch company that carries his name.
• Marie-Rose Erard: A French fashion designer, Marie-Rose Erard was a prominent figure in Europe's fashion industry during the 1950s.
• René Erard: A celebrated novelist, René Erard wrote a number of books that have been translated into multiple languages.
• Thierry Erard: A French figure skater, Thierry Erard was a long-time competitor in the sport and achieved a number of accolades.

Other surnames

Erarslan