Surname Gare - Meaning and Origin
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Gare: What does the surname Gare mean?
The last name Gare is a habitational name derived from any of the numerous places in France named with the Old French gara or gaire, meaning an enclosure. It may have originally denoted a person who lived near such an enclosure.
The last name Gare is also of French origin, having its origins in the ancient region of France known as Lower Normandy, between Seine-Inferieure and Calvados. It is most commonly found in France, and to a lesser extent in other parts of Europe, and Canada.
The name is thought to be derived from the Old French word gara, meaning an enclosed area. This could be a walled courtyard, or a piece of enclosed land, often used to graze animals. It is also possible that the name could be derived from an area near a station, known as a gare in French.
As a surname it is likely that the original bearer of the name was a person who owned or lived near an enclosed area of some kind. Over time, the name may have been adapted for various other reasons, such as occupation or relationship.
Today, the last name Gare can be found in many areas of the world, carrying with it the history of its French origins.
Order DNA origin analysisGare: Where does the name Gare come from?
The surname Gare is common in many English-speaking countries today. It has its roots in medieval England, where it was an occupational surname for people who worked in a gare (warehouse). It is especially predominant in England and Scotland, where it is the 69th most common surname. Other countries with high numbers of Gare-surnamed individuals include the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia.
In England, Gare is particularly common in East Anglia and the Midlands. This may be because many people of Norman descent settled there after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is also associated with the ancient county of Westmorland in the north of England, where many of the Gares likely originated.
In the United States, the Gare name is most common in the Mid-Atlantic States and Ohio, which have historically seen a larger influx of English immigrants. Gare is especially frequent in the states of Pennsylvania and New York, and is the 533rd most common surname in the United States as a whole.
Gare is also quite common in Australia, with a concentration particularly in New South Wales, given the high number of English settlers arriving in the country in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, the surname Gare has been spread around the English-speaking world due to the large number of individuals with the name who immigrated over the last few centuries. Today, it is quite common in both Europe and the Americas.
Variations of the surname Gare
The surname Gare is an English and French toponymic surname, derived from the Old French word for “dwelling.” The surname initially meant someone who lived near a castle, fort, or other stronghold. It has many variants, including Gaire, Gaer, Geare, Garre, Garra, Gear, Gair, Gaarr, and Geary. Historically, Gare was mainly a common surname among the Norman people, first appearing in England after 1066.
In English, one of the most common variants of the surname is Gare. This spelling is primarily found in the northern regions of England, particularly North Yorkshire. Variants such as Gaire, Gaer and Garre are more common in the south of the country.
In France, the most common variants are Gaer, Garre, Garra, and Gare. The Garra spelling is the oldest, and originated in the Languedoc region in the south of France. Gair and Geare are popular variants in France, particularly in the Normandy region.
In Ireland, the surname Gare is rare. The spelling Geary is the most common variant, and is mainly found in counties Clare and Cork.
Historically, many families with the surname Gare were lace makers. Today, people with the surname Gare can be found throughout England, France, Ireland and the United States.
Famous people with the name Gare
- Leon Gare: British jazz guitarist.
- Barb Gare: Author, scriptwriter, and Focus on the Family creative contributor.
- Jean-Louis Gare: French clarinetist and saxophonist.
- Virginie Gare: An actress in the French film industry.
- Heiner Gareis: German general and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Carmen Gare: Spanish songwriter and journalist.
- Frédéric Gare: French cinematographer and director.
- Art Gare: Contents creator, influencer, musician and model in the US.
- Andy Gare: British television director and producer.
- Patty Gare: Canadian writer, singer, actor, and playwright.