Garner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Garner surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the baptismal name Garnier. [1] Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the Old French word “gerner,” or “gernier” which means a “storehouse for corn” or “keeper of the granary.” [2] [3]

However, we should point out to the reader that Bardsley disagrees with this latter in his reference: “It has nothing to do with a granary, as suggested by Lower.” He claims that the name could have also been originally an occupational name as in “the gardener,” which was corrupted to Gardner and later Garner. [1]

Early Origins of the Garner family

The surname Garner was first found in Rutland where the first record was found in the original Latin form, Garnerius de Nugent who was listed there 1170-1183. Later Geoffre Gerner was listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1272 and Willam del Gerner was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. [2]

Warner or Garnier (fl. 1106), was an early writer of homilies and a monk of Westminster. He was present at the translation of the relics of St. Withburga, 1106. [4]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has only one listing of the family, Stephen Gemer who was listed as being in Lincolnshire at that time. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johannes Garner. The Lancashire Wills at Richmond list: Christopher Gardiner, or Garner in 1584; John Gardiner, or Garner, of Aldingham in the same year; and Christopher Garner, of Much Urswicke in 1575. [1]

Early History of the Garner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garner research.

Garner Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Garner are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Garner include: Garner, Garnier, Gerner and others.

Garner World Ranking

In the United States, the name Garner is the 350^th most popular surname with an estimated 77,097 people with that name. [5] However, in Australia, the name Garner is ranked the 811^stmost popular surname with an estimated 4,839 people with that name. [6] And in the United Kingdom, the name Garner is the 447^th popular surname with an estimated 14,542 people with that name. [7]

 Garner migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief – conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute – these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Garner or a variant listed above: 

Garner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Jon Garner, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 [8]
• Alex. Garner, who arrived in Virginia in 1635
• Alex Garner, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [8]
• Edmund Garner, who arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635 [8]
• Edward Garner, who landed in Virginia in 1636 [8]

Garner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Ellinor Garner, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 [8]
• Philip Garner, who landed in New England in 1718 [8]
• Hans Garner, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1731 [8]
• Hans Geo Garner, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1749 [8]
• Hans Jorg Garner, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750 [8]

Garner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• James Garner, who arrived in South Carolina in 1810 [8]
• William Garner, who landed in America in 1811 [8]
• Thomas Garner, aged 45, who arrived in Kentucky in 1812 [8]
• Daniel Garner, aged 47, who landed in New York in 1812 [8]
• Arthur Garner, who arrived in Texas in 1835 [8]

 Garner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Garner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Robert Garner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
• Mr. John Garner U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [9]
• Mr. John Garner Sr., U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [9]
• Mr. William Garner U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 [9]

Garner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Andrew Garner, who settled in Ontario in 1871

 Garner migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Garner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Maria Garner, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, Englandfor 7 years, transported aboard the “Broxbournebury” in January 1814, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [10]
• Mr. John Garner, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the “Countess of Harcourt” on 8th April 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’sLand) [11]
• Mr. George Godfrey Garner who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the “Bussorah Merchant” on 24th March 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [12]
• Mr. Samuel Garner, (b. 1803), aged 38, Enlgish waterman who was convicted in Staffordshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the “David Clarke” on 3rd June 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land), he died in 1849 [13]
• Mr. John Garner, English convict who was convicted in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Barossa” on 9th May 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [14]

 Garner migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Garner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• John Garner, who landed in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1840
• John Garner, aged 36, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship “Oriental” in 1840
• Mary Ann Garner, aged 29, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship “Oriental” in 1840
• Mr. John Garner, (b. 1803), aged 36, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship “Oriental” arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 [15]
• Mrs. Garner, (b. 1810), aged 29, British settler travelling from London with 3 children aboard the ship “Oriental” arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 [15]

 Garner migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960’s many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [16]

Garner Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Miller Garner, who settled in Barbados in 1679