Contents [hide]

Gardner History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Gardner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

Etymology of Gardner

What does the name Gardner mean?

Bavaria, Germany is the ancestral home of the Gardner family. The Germans began using hereditary surnames in the 12th century. Gardner is an occupational name, which was derived from the kind of work done by the original bearer. It is a name for a family whose profession was gardening. The surname Gardner is derived from the German noun "gartner," which means "gardener."

Early Origins of the Gardner family

The surname Gardner was first found in Bavaria, where the family came from noble beginnings as a patrician family of Nuremberg and gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some in foreign countries, always elevating their social status by their great contributions to society.

Early History of the Gardner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gardner research. Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1575, 1654, 1712, 1720, 1732, 1791, 1792 and 1858 are included under the topic Early Gardner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardner Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Gardner include Gaertner, Gardner, Gardener, Gartener, Gaertener, Gaerdener, Gaerdner, Gaerthner, Gaerthener, Garthner and many more.

Early Notables of the Gardner family

Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gardner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardner World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gardner is the 164^th most popular surname with an estimated 141,759 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Gardner is ranked the 518^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,416 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Gardner is the 224^th popular surname with an estimated 14,965 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Gardner as 228^th with 2,552 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Gardner as 173^rd with 31,363 people. 5

Gardner migration to the United States +

Between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries, German settlers arrived in North America by the thousands. Persecution based on religion and poverty were great motivators in this large-scale migration. So too was the opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own land. Ample land and opportunity awaited the settlers who went to such states as Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, as well as Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Gardner or a variant listed above:

Gardner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

George Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship " Zouch Phoenix" 6
Mrs. Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship " Zouch Phoenix" 6
Thomas Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship " Zouch Phoenix" 6
Richard Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship "Zouch Phoenix" 7
Joseph Gardner, who landed in Massachusetts in 1624 aboard the ship "Zouch Phoenix" 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jasper Gardner, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 6
Peeter Gardner, who landed in New York in 1709 6
Ringing Gardner, who landed in Virginia in 1711 6
Rachel Gardner, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 6
Thoda Gardner, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1718 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thomas Gardner, who landed in America in 1804 6
Elizabeth Gardner, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 6
Eleanor Gardner, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 6
Debarah Gardner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 6
Deborah Gardner, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gardner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Gardner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Gardner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Gardner, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Luke Gardner was a shoreman of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1758 8
Mr. Alexander Gardner U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Gardner, who arrived in Canada in 1812
James Gardner, aged 17, who landed in Canada in 1812
Robert Gardner, who landed in Canada in 1815
Robert Gardner, aged 32, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
William Gardner, who arrived in Canada in 1831
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Miss D Gardner, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Gardner migration to Australia +

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

Gardner Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. David Gardner, English convict who was convicted in Ely (Isle of Ely), Cambridgeshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Gardner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10

Gardner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Gardner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. William Gardner, (Gardener), (b. 1774), aged 41, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for theft with violence, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1834 12
Mr. Matthew Gardner, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
James Gardner, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
Miss Lydia Gardner who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 20th November 1823, arriving in New South Wales, Australia and Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner 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:

Gardner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Gardner, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
Robert Gardner, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Geo Fife
William Gardner, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1842
William Gardner, aged 39, a ropemaker, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Zealand" in 1842
Margaret Gardner, aged 40, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Zealand" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gardner 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

Gardner Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Miss Ann Gardner, (b. 1599), aged 36, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 17
Martin Gardner, aged 28, who arrived in Barbados in 1684 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Gardner (post 1700) +

John William Gardner (1912-2002), American Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Kenneth Kay "Ken" Gardner (1949-2024), American basketball player, known for playing for the French club AS Berck, which won the French National Championship in 1973 and 1974
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (b. 2000), American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League
David Pierpont Gardner (1933-2024), American academic, 15th President of the University of California
Rita Gardner (1934-2022), née Schier, an American actress and singer, best known for P.S. I Love You (2007), Law & Order (1990) and Shiva Baby (2020)
Burgess LaMarr Gardner (1936-2021), American jazz musician, educator, and composer who played the trumpet with jazz legends such as Count Basie, Horace Silver, Louie Bellson and Ray Charles
Lisa Gardner (b. 1972), American novelist, author of more than 20 suspense novels
Richard Newton Gardner (1927-2019), American Rhodes Scholar and diplomat, United States Ambassador to Italy (1977-1981), United States Ambassador to Spain (1993-1997)
Floyd "Jelly" Gardner (1895-1977), American baseball player in the Negro Leagues
William H. "Speed" Gardner (1895-1972), American racecar driver from East Liberty, Pennsylvania
... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Gardner family +

Flight 191

R Gardner (d. 1979), American passenger from San Diego, California, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 18

Halifax Explosion

Mr. Walter Gardner (1897-1917), English Ordinary Seaman aboard the HMCS Niobe from Cheshire, England, United Kingdom who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19

HMS Hood

Mr. James D Gardner (b. 1907), English Petty Officer Telegraphist serving for the Royal Navy from Marylebone, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. George Rosser Gardner, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 21

HMS Repulse

Mr. Leonard Ralph Gardner, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 22

RMS Lusitania

Mr. William George Gardner, English Second Waiter from Waterloo, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 23
Mr. Alfred Gardner, English Trimmer from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
Mr. James Andrew Gardner, New Zealander 2nd Class passenger from New Zealand, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 24
Master William Gerard Gardner, New Zealander 2nd Class passenger from New Zealand, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 24
Master Eric Gardner, New Zealander 2nd Class passenger from New Zealand, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 24
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

SS Caribou

Mrs. Mary Katherine Gardner (b. 1886), Newfoundland passenger from Hodges Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, she died in the sinking

USS Indianapolis

Roscoe Wallace Gardner (1926-1990), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he survived the sinking 25
Russel Thomas Gardner, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 25

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew

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