Surname Locard - Meaning and Origin
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Locard: What does the surname Locard mean?
The last name Locard is derived from the French word 'loc', meaning “place” or “territory” combined with the suffix “-ard”, which is also of French origin and suggests “residence” or “occupation” in a particular area.
The surname is believed to have originated as denoting a person who inhabited a settlement near a ‘loc’, or specific area. As such, it can be assumed that bearers of this last name had some degree of ownership or authority over a particular place. It’s likely that the Locard family were farmers or landholders in some capacity at this particular location.
The power of this surname extends to many other places around the world, as Locard is also a common surname in Latin America. In this instance, it may signify the person’s residence in an area which was formerly occupied by a French settlement.
In modern times, the name Locard still retains the same meaning, of a place or territory, and the inhabitants who owned or inhabited it. Those who bear the last name are proud of its French origin and are conscious of its historical roots. It remains a widely used and respected surname by many across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisLocard: Where does the name Locard come from?
The last name Locard is most commonly found in France today. It is a name derived from the Celtic origins of the region, which means warrior.
It is believed to be the second-most common name in the area, behind only “Martin”. It is estimated that roughly 20,000 people in France alone bear the name, Locard.
The name Locard is also popular throughout many other European countries, especially those that were historically a part of the French Empire and have retained the influence of French culture. Examples of these countries include Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Additionally, there are some pockets of Locard’s found in areas of Italy and Spain, but it is much less common in these places.
Outside of Europe, the Locard name is not as common and the prevalence of the different spelling variants can vary greatly depending on the region. In the United States, especially in metropolitan areas like New York City, the spelling variant “Lacard” is much more common than the original French spelling.
In short, the Locard last name is most popular in France today, but small amounts of the population can be found scattered across Europe and the United States. It is a testament to the power of the French Empire and its long-standing cultural influence on the countries it once ruled.
Variations of the surname Locard
The surname Locard has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is “Lochard”. Other variants include “Lorchard”, “Lochartz” and “Lorcha”. Spellings related to Locard include “Locarrd”, “Lockerd” and “Locardt”.
Surnames of the same origin as Locard include “Lalocard”, “Laocard”, “Lecard”, “Lecord” and “Locart”. Additionally, “Lochardt”, “Loecht”, “Locud”, “lokardt” and “Lokarde” are other related surnames.
Locard is a French surname derived from the Latin word “locardus” which means “lock”, “guard” or “servant”. It is believed to have originated from the region of Brittany and is associated with the ancient French name Locharde or Lecard.
It is possible that the surname originated from a place name, possibly associated with the word “loc”, a walled enclosure, or with the word “loch” which means “lake” or “inlet”.
The name has spread from France to other countries such as the United States, England, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia. Today, a variety of spelling variations are used for the family name Locard.
Famous people with the name Locard
- Edmond Locard (1877-1966): He was a French criminologist and is known as the 'Father of Forensic Science'. He developed the concept of 'Locard's Exchange Principle', which states that when any two objects come into contact, a cross-transfer of material takes place.
- Andrew Locard (1903-1984): He was a British pathologist and microscopist whose research focused on renal mineral deposition, metabolism, and nutrition.
- Stephen Locard (1868-1946): He was a French physician and biologist who made several major contributions to the fields of medicine and biology, most notably his work regarding the transmission of disease from humans to animals.
- Marcel Locard (1819-1909): He was a French barrister who is most known for developing the 'Locard's Law of Criminal Jurisprudence', which outlines the principles and procedures under which criminal cases are conducted.
- Katy Locard (1970-present): She is a French writer and filmmaker who has won multiple awards for her work and is known for tackling controversial social and political issues in her films and books.
- Théodore-Nicolas-Arthur Locard (1826-1909): He was a French botanist who made several important contributions to the field of botany, including his research on the structure and life history of mosses.
- Gérard Locard (1899-1956): He was a French surrealist painter who is best known for his abstract paintings and collages.
- André-Eugène-Arthur Locard (1861-1942): He was a French engineer and inventor, best known for his invention of the 'Locard Casing', a device for measuring the temperature of gas flows.