Find out how popular the last name Gir is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gir.

Gir, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gir surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gir in America

Gir is the 127494th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gir surname appeared 134 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gir.

The history of the last name Gir

The surname "Gir" is believed to have originated in France during the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "gire," which means "to turn" or "to rotate." This could suggest that the name may have initially referred to an occupation or trade involving turning or rotating objects, such as a miller or a potter.

One of the earliest known references to the surname "Gir" can be found in the Livre des Métiers, a collection of trade regulations from 13th century Paris, which mentions a family of potters with the surname "Gir." Additionally, the name appears in various medieval records from regions such as Normandy and Brittany, indicating its widespread use across northern France.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Jean Gir (c. 1320-1385) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Rouen. Historical records indicate that he played a significant role in the local trade guild and was influential in shaping the city's economic policies.

During the Renaissance period, the name "Gir" gained prominence in the arts, with Pierre Gir (1535-1592) being a renowned painter and sculptor from the city of Lyon. His works, particularly his religious sculptures, adorned many churches and cathedrals throughout France.

In the 17th century, the name "Gir" appeared in the records of several French settlements in North America. One notable individual was Jacques Gir (1620-1678), a farmer and explorer who was among the first settlers in the region now known as Quebec. He is credited with establishing one of the earliest settlements along the St. Lawrence River.

Another notable figure was Marguerite Gir (1675-1745), a French aristocrat and landowner who played a pivotal role in the development of the city of New Orleans during the early years of French colonization in Louisiana. Her legacy is remembered through several place names and historical landmarks in the region.

Over the centuries, the surname "Gir" has also been found in various other spellings, such as "Gire," "Gires," and "Giret," reflecting regional variations and linguistic adaptations. While the name may have originated from a specific occupation or trade, it has since become a surname passed down through generations across different parts of France and its former colonies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gir

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gir.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gir was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gir was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gir, please contact us.

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