Garson
A occupational surname derived from the French gars meaning "boy" or "servant".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,097 Americans carry the last name Garson. That puts it at #26,243 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.32 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 312,447 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Garson surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.1K
1 in 312,447
Census rank
#26,243
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
931
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 931 bearers of the surname Garson in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.32 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 26243rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Garson, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.8%) and Black (2.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Garson
The surname Garson originated from the Anglo-Norman French word "garçon" meaning "boy" or "servant". It dates back to the early medieval period in England and France. The name was likely first used as a descriptive surname for a young male servant or attendant.
The earliest recorded examples of the Garson surname appear in English historical records from the late 13th century. It can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a William Garson is listed. The name is also present in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1275, referencing a Hugo Garson.
In Scotland, the name Garson is thought to have derived from the similar-sounding Gaelic surname "Gearson", meaning "son of the gardener". This variant is found in records from the 16th century onwards, such as the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland from 1585, which mentions a John Gearson.
One of the earliest notable bearers of the Garson surname was John Garson, a prominent English merchant and alderman who lived in the city of Bristol in the 15th century. He served as Mayor of Bristol in 1454 and 1464.
Another historically significant individual with this surname was David Garson, a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who lived from 1591 to 1668. He published several influential works on navigation and astronomy during his lifetime.
In the literary world, the English writer and dramatist David Garson (1641-1719) is noteworthy. He wrote several successful plays and was a member of the prestigious Kit-Cat Club in London.
The name Garson also has connections to place names in England, such as the village of Garsdon in Wiltshire. This place name is believed to be derived from the Old English words "gaers" meaning "grass" and "dun" meaning "hill", suggesting a potential link to the surname's origins.
One of the most famous bearers of the Garson surname in more recent history was the American actress Greer Garson (1904-1996). She achieved widespread acclaim for her performances in films such as "Mrs. Miniver" and "Madame Curie", winning an Academy Award for the former in 1942.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Garson
Among Census respondents with the surname Garson, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.8%) and Black (2.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Garson bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Garson surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.2%
- Hispanic or Latino7.8%
- Black or African American2.9%
- Two or more races0.9%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Garson surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #26,243 | #26,243 | 0.0% |
| Count | 931 | 931 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Garson bearers went from 931 to 931 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #26,243 to #26,243.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Garson
FAQ
Garson surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Garson?
The surname Garson holds position #26,243 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,097 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.32 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Garson surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Garson, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.2%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (7.8%) and Black (2.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.