Surname Benard - Meaning and Origin
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Uncovering Family Roots: My iGENEA DNA Analysis and the Benard Surname Odyssey
I delved into my familial roots with a DNA analysis from iGENEA, tracing the origin of my surname Benard. The rigorous process revealed a fascinating history tied to French nobility, resilience, and a nomadic lifestyle that spanned Belgium and Germany, offering unprecedented insights into my personal history and identity.
Z. Benard
read moreBenard: What does the surname Benard mean?
The last name Benard is a French surname deriving from the given name “Bernard”. It is a Germanic name, composed of two parts, “bern” meaning “bear” and “hard” meaning “hardy, strong”. Together the meaning changes slightly to “strong as a bear”.
The name was most likely given to a strong and courageous person in the Middle Ages. In the French language, variations of this name exist such as: Bernard, Bernhard, Bernhardo, Bernhardt, Bernardo, and Benard.
The first known usage of the Benard surname dates back to the 12th century in Caen, Normandy. In the 12th century, a certain Benard was listed as a property owner in Constantinople. By the late 15th century, the family had become established in several regions in France. Two of the most notable Bechard families are found in Picardy and Champagne.
Today, Benards can be found in many countries around the world. The Benard families have spread out since then and have taken different last names such as: Bernard, Bernier, and Beaudoin.
In modern times, the Benard name continues to evoke the same sentiment as it did centuries ago - strength and courage. It is a reminder that courage can still be found in adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisBenard: Where does the name Benard come from?
The last name Benard is most commonly found in France today. It is a patronymic surname derived from the Latin word 'bernardus' which means 'bold as a bear'. It was a very popular given name during the Middle Ages.
The Benard surname is also quite common in the United States. It is primarily concentrated in Louisiana and Mississippi, where it ranked 138th and 252nd respectively in the US Census in 2014. The Benard surname first appeared in the United States in 1749 when Jean Benard came to what is now present-day Louisiana in 1749. Over time, the Benard name also spread to other parts of the nation.
The Benard name is also present in other countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Since the name is so widely dispersed, it continues to be found in many other countries such as Germany, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa.
Since the surname first derived from French origins, it is very likely that the name could be found in other French speaking countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, and Monaco.
The Benard surname is quite popular among French-speaking nations, but people with this surname can be found in many countries around the world. As time passes, it is likely that the name will continue to travel to other parts of the world, making it an even more widely-found name.
Variations of the surname Benard
The surname Benard is an interesting one, as it has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
In its most common form, the surname is spelled Benard, and is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Bernard (or Berhard). The name is German and Dutch in origin, and was popularized during the Middle Ages by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a French abbot and theologian who was popular throughout Europe. The variants of Benard include Bénard, Bernhard, Bernardino, de Bernard, and the forms Bernardi and Bernardo which are more popular in certain regions of Europe and Latin America.
Other surnames derived from the same root include Bernards, Bernalls, Barnards, and Banards, all of which were used in England during the medieval period. Additionally, several French royal and noble families bore variants of the name, such as the Benard d'Armagnac family of France, and the Spanish Bénediction noble family.
The Benard surname is also associated with several Jewish families of German and Polish origin, who adopted a variant of the name such as Benhardt, Barnhard, or Bernhardt. It is also found among families of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, with variants such as Berman, Bernheim, and Bernitz.
Overall, the Benard surname appears to originate from medieval Europe, though it has since spread to many parts of the world. It is found in many variations throughout Europe, North America, Latin America, and even amongst certain Jewish families.
Famous people with the name Benard
- Manuel Benard: A French professional footballer
- Clarence Bénard: a former tennis player from France
- Bill Bernard: an American actor best known for his role in the 1982 action hit movie First Blood
- Frédéric Benard: A French soccer player
- François Benard: A French composer, music producer, and record label owner
- Eric Benard: A French sprint canoer
- Laurent Bénard: A French actor
- Gersende Benard: A French actress
- André Bénard: A French actor
- Lucien Bénard: A French surrealist artist
- Paul Benard: A French athlete and soccer player
- Charles-René Benard: A French visual artist
- Bob Benard: Alaskan entrepreneur and politician
- Vicky Bénard: A Belgian comic book artist
- Adolphe Benard: French sculptor and professor
- Jacqueline Benard: French actress
- Xavier Benard: French professional Basketball player
- Hyacinthe Bénard: French portrait painter
- Patrick Benard: A former French footballer
- Jean Benard: A former French professional cyclist