The surname Garner is of French origin. It has many variants like Garnier in French which means "the keeper of the grainery". Other French variants include surnames like "Gerner, Gernier or Varner" which mean corn store houses. A German variation of the surname Garner is Warner and Werner which means "warin", one of the Germanic elements.
The surname Garner came to be used in the English language from the old Anglo-Norman French word Grenier. It may have been the last name for a person who lived near a granary or a barn. It could have also been an occupational name for a person who was in charge of the stores which were kept in a granary. In English, the surname Garner is the reduced form of the surname Gardener and is an altered spelling of Gerner.
The surname Garner came to be used in the English language from the old Anglo-Norman French word Grenier. It may have been the last name for a person who lived near a granary or a barn. It could have also been an occupational name for a person who was in charge of the stores which were kept in a granary. In English, the surname Garner is the reduced form of the surname Gardener and is an altered spelling of Gerner.