The surname of ARCHARD is a variant of Archerd. The name was derived from the Old French 'Archier' an occupational name, the archer, the bowman. Occupational surnames originally denoted the actual occupation followed by the individual. At what period they became hereditary is a difficult problem. Many of the occupation names were descriptive and could be varied. In the Middle Ages, at least among the Christian population, people did not usually pursue specialized occupations exclusively to the extent that we do today, and they would, in fact, turn their hand to any form of work that needed to be done, particularly in a large house or mansion, or on farms and smallholdings. In early documents, surnames often refer to the actual holder of an office, whether the church or state. The name was brought into England in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066. Many of the early names recorded in medieval documents denote noble families but many also indicate migration from the continent during, and in the wake of, the Norman invasion of 1066. There was a constant stream of merchants, workmen and others arriving in England during this time. In 1086 the Record of Great Inquisition of lands of England, their extent, value, ownership and liabilities was made by order of William The Conqueror. It is known as the Domesday Book.

Early records of the name mention Edward Archarde who was documented in the year 1166 in County Hampshire. Hugh L'Archard, 1199 County Somerset. Robert Archard of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379 and Richard Arcard appears in County Lancashire in the year 1400. The bulk of European surnames in countries such as England and France were formed in the 13th and 14th centuries. The process started earlier and continued in some places into the 19th century, but the norm is that in the 11th century people did not have surnames, whereas by the 15th century they did.

The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.