Gherardi

Gherardi is a surname of Northern Italian origin. It is most common in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Tuscany. The name comes from the Germanic words gari > ger- (meaning 'spear') and -hard (meaning 'hard/strong/brave'). The first family recorded to have this name in 970 AD, were the Gherardinghi family who owned five castles in Tuscany. The name has since been shortened and many variations of the name can be found throughout Italy. According to Italy Gen, about 1800 people with the last name of Gherardi still reside in Northern Italy. Worldwide there are about 2500 people with this last name. 
Some examples of known people with the last name: