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Dear Vivian,
Hello and merry Christmas. My name is Charles (Chuck) Gabbard and I was surfing the web and found your inquiry about the origin of the Gabbard name. Well, I was told throughout my younger years that it was of Dutch origin but never knew the meaning until a couple of years ago when I received an unsolicited email from some genealogy company. They sent me an offer to buy my family crest and full genealogy report (including the “origin” of the family name). Well, I was almost committed to buying their wares until I discovered that “their” explanation of the name Gabbard was indeed of Dutch origin but the name in Dutch meant “garbage scow.”
Well, to say the least, I was not flattered. And if it does mean that, I choose to believe that it referenced someone who pilots the garbage scow, not the scow itself. Still not flattered….. but slightly consoled. Anyway, I responded to their online solicitation by saying,” If you people intend on succeeding in business by selling family names and origins, I strongly suggest you NEVER imply that their revered name is directly associated with any form of sanitation vehicle.”
Now I don’t think the sanitation industry is any less noble than others. No, sirree, in fact, Mr. Mike Rowe of History Channel fame makes a living exploring “Dirty Jobs.” I’m just saying, you might want to euphemize your terms when detailing someone’s past. How about saying Gabbard is Dutch for “Ship’s captain” or even “Seafaring vessel?” But please, Mr. Family Tree Man, please, not “Garbage Scow.” Anything but Garbage Scow
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