Gallant

Recorded as Gallant (English), Galan, Galand, Galland, Galant, Gallant (French), Galland (German), Galante (Italian), Galant (Polish), Galan (Spanish), and others, this is a surname which is ultimately of pre 6th century Gallic origins. It derives from the pre 7th century word galer, literally meaning "in good humour," and given firstly as a personal name of endearment and later in medieval times as a nickname surname for a "gallant" man, one who was attentive to women. The personal name seems to have been introduced into the British Isles at the famous Norman Conquest of England in 1066, as there is the recording of Galand in the landowners of the county of Worcestershire in the famous Domesday Book of 1086. However in England the surname is particularly associated with the East Anglian region, and most early recordings are from that region. They include the first true surname recording which is that of Adam Galand. He apears in the Hundred Rolls of the landowners of Essex in 1274, whilst Thomas Gaullant is recorded in the same rolls but for the county of Suffolk in 1275, and John Galant in the tax registers known as the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1336.