This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the gardener.' As might be expected, a familiar entry in every mediaeval record. The large number of representatives in the London Directory indirectly proves the popularity of the avocation.

Geoffrey le Gardiner, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Richard le Gardiner, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Ralph le Gardener, Huntingdonshire, ibid.

William le Gardiner, or Gardener, Lincolnshire, ibid.

William Gardinar, Lancashire, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.

Gilbert de Ilkeley, 9 Edward III: Freemen of York.

William le Gardener, Close Rolls, 8 Edward I.

Thomas Gardiner, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Thomas Garchiner, 1379: ibid.

(most common form). From the occupation of 'gardener,' rendered in Latin charters by ortolanus. Rogerus Ortolanus was juror on an inquest in 1296 (Peebles, 5). In 1329 there is record of meal delivered to Nicholas Gerdener who is again referred to as Nicholas ortolanus (ER., I, p. 128,130). Gilbert ortolanus is also referred to (p. 130). Robert Gardnar was a notary public in the diocese of Dunblane in 1426 (Cambus., 88), John Gardenar witnessed a precept by Robert dominus de Lyle in 1452 (RMP., p. 250), Richard Garden or Gardenare appears in 1454 and 1458 as vicar of Colmanell (REG., 371,377), and William Gardennar possessed a garden in Glasgow in 1486 (ibid., p. 450). Alexander Gardnare was bergess of Arne in 1503 (Friars Ayr, p. 70), and Robert Gardnar was bergess of Linlithgow in 1545 (Loing, 493). Gardinar 1511, Gardinare 1507, Gardnard 1566, Gardynar 1430, Gardynnyr 1540, Gamer 1545, Gerdnar 1493.

The occupation. Its forms in the H.R, are Le Gardener and Le Gardiner; also De Gardino and De Gardinis. Its principal modem forms are Gardiner, which according to Camden's joke denotes the gentleman! (E. Surn. i. 118) and the more plebeian Gardner: Gardener itself is rare.

A gardener.

A name derived from the occupation.

This name may be derived from the same roots as Gairden. It is probably, however, the same as Gardener, the orthography having been changed. Camden says, "Wise was the man that told my Lord Bishop (Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester) that his name was not Gardener as the English pronounce it, but Gardiner, with the French accent, and therefore a gentleman."

The principal family of the Gardiners in this country derive their descent from Lion Gardiner, a native of Scotland, who served under General Fairfax in the Low Countries as an engineer. He was sent to this country in 1635, by Lords Say and Sele, Brooke, and others, to build a fort, and make a settlement on their grant at the mouth of the Connecticut river. He built the fort at Saybrook, which name he gave to it after the names of his patrons Lords Say and Brooke. His eldest son, David, born at Fort Saybrook, in 1636, was the first white child born in Connecticut. He afterward bought from the Indians the island in Long Island Sound, called by them Monchonack, and by the English the Isle of Wight, paying for it. as the old records say, a black dog, a gun, and some Dutch blankets. He removed there with his family, and gave it the name of Gardiner's Island. The island still remains in the possession of the family, having descended in a direct line from Lion Gardiner.

Or Le Gardener, le Jardinier, probably Norman, from the office of gardener to the King or to great nobles. In 1202 William le Gardeiner possessed estates in Rutland (Rotulus Cancellarii). The name occurs 13th cent. in Derby and York; 14th cent. in Wilts and Somerset.

Gardener: The name is French; we may conclude, therefore, that the Anglo-Saxons had no gardens, only orchards. The surname is often spelled Gardiner and Gardner, also Jardine.

Gardiner,Gardner. —Most characteristic of the midland counties, and of the eastern counties south of the Wash. Singularly rare in the south - west, and in the north of England, excepting Lancashire. At present best represented in Essex, Lancashire, and Warwickshire. Both forms occur in southern and central Scotland, especially in Perthshire.