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.

(Anglo-French-Teut.) Gardener [Middle English gardin, a garden + the agential suff. -er; Old French gardin (French jardin), O.Frank. gardin (= O.H.Ger. gartin) obl. case of gardo, a yard or garden]

(English, French) One who tended a garden, cultivating flowers and vegetables.

A gardener.

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.

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.