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Gardner

Origin of the Gardner surname

Gardner is a surname of English, Scottish or Irish origin. Some sources claim that it is an occupational surname that comes from the word "gardener." It would have been an occupational name that reflected the status of the head gardner of a noble or even royal house. Derived from the Northern French word "gardin" and introduced into the British Isles after the Norman Invasion of 1066. This word was itself a diminutive of the pre 7th century Germanic word "gard", meaning an enclosure. The function of the "gardiniere" in medieval times was a very important one. He was responsible for the kitchen garden, which provided almost the only source of fresh food and herbs, and hence played a critical part in maintaining the health of the household. The use of the word "gardener" refers to one who tends ornamental lawns and flower beds, and is a later application.

Other sources claim that the name derives from the Saxon words gar, meaning "a weapon", and dyn' meaning "sound or alarm". When combined with the termination "er" we get the name Gair-den-er,” meaning a warrior or one who bears arms.

Early variants included Gardyner, Gardener, Gardenar, Gardinier, Gardiner, and Gardner; the last two are the most common today." Spelling variations include: Gardiner, Gardner, and others.

Earliest known Gardner people

In the UK the surname was first in Oxfordshire where they were seated from very early times. Early records show William le Gardinier in County Rutland in 1199; William Gardin at Huntingdon in 1218; John atte Gardyne in Sussex in 1296; and Walter le Gardiner in London in 1292.

Gardner migration to Australia

George Gardner arrived in Australia on 25 Feb 1836 as a convict aged about 23 years old aboard Recovery. He married Mary Grimes at Capertee (NSW) on 14 Feb 1846. They lived their lives in the Central West of NSW. George died at Coonamble in 1890 and is buried in Coonamble cemetery.

Gardner pedigree

Our Gardner ancestors include the following people. Click on any name to access a computer-generated page of information about that person and a list of the information sources.

Attwood Charles Gardner (b. 24 Dec 1862, d. 1 May 1937)
- George Gardner (b. 4 Sep 1813, d. 25 Sep 1890)
  - James Gardner (b. ca. 1790)
  - Ann ?, wife of James Gardner (b. ca. 1790)
- Mary Grime (b. 4 Jun 1829, d. 14 Nov 1911)
  - James Grime, The Younger (b. 5 Oct 1796, d. 1 Mar 1869)
    - James Grime, The Older (b. 1759, d. 10 Sep 1831)
      - John Grime (b. 10 Sep 1727, d. 4 Jul 1777)
        Joshua Grime (b. 2 Mar 1683, d. 23 Jan 1768)
        Joseph Grime (b. 1660)
        Elizabeth Duckworth (b. 1660, d. 10 Jul 1700)
        Jenet Howorth (b. 1700, d. 28 Jan 1767)
      - Alice Haworth (b. Nov 1732, d. 15 Feb 1816)
        John Haworth (b. 1700, d. 9 Apr 1750)
        Mary, wife of John Haworth (b. 1700)
    - Betty Entwistle (b. Mar 1764, d. 15 Jan 1831)
      - William Entwistle (b. 1 May 1743, d. 27 Mar 1827)
        William Entwistle (b. 22 Jun 1704, d. 19 Apr 1767)
        William Entwistle (b. Oct 1670, d. 9 Apr 1719)
        William Entwistle (b. ca. 1640, d. 7 Apr 1701)
        Ellin Greenhalgh (b. ca. 1640, d. 1 Aug 1678)
        Katherin Entwistle (b. May 1677, d. 15 Dec 1758)
        Richard Entwistle (b. ca. 1650)
        Sarah Knowles (b. ca. 1714, d. 20 Apr 1791)
      - Alice Haslam (b. 1740, d. 6 Feb 1791)
  - Catherine Long (b. 1801, d. 9 Jan 1871)

Notable Gardner ancestors

Click on the name of any of the notable ancestors listed below to read a short biography that I have written about them.

Gardner family memorials

For centuries families have created memorials to honour their forebears, including headstones, church monuments, memorial cards, obituaries and much more. This website is, in a way, just another innovation in this regard. Each of the links below takes you to a memorial page that is dedicated to that particular deceased ancestor.