When you see two celebrities with the same last name, it’s natural to wonder if they are related. This is especially true when they are both in the same profession, such as acting. One such case is Jennifer Garner and James Garner, who have both starred in many movies and TV shows. But are they really related, or is it just a coincidence? Here’s what we know.
Jennifer Garner and James Garner: No Relation
The short answer is no, Jennifer Garner and James Garner are not related to each other. They have different backgrounds, origins, and family histories. Jennifer Garner is from West Virginia; her mother was a school teacher and her father a chemical engineer. James Garner was from Oklahoma; he had two daughters, but neither is Jennifer. James’ last name wasn’t even Garner originally, it was Bumgarner.
Jennifer Garner is a modern actor who rose to fame in the early 2000s with her role as Sydney Bristow in the spy thriller series Alias. She has also appeared in many popular movies, such as 13 Going on 30, Daredevil, Elektra, Juno, Dallas Buyers Club, and Peppermint. She is also known for her activism and philanthropy, supporting causes such as early childhood education, anti-paparazzi campaigns, and Save the Children².
James Garner was an old-school actor who started his career in the 1950s with his breakthrough role as Bret Maverick in the western series Maverick. He went on to star in many classic movies and TV shows, such as The Great Escape, The Rockford Files, Murphy’s Romance, The Notebook, and 8 Simple Rules. He was also a decorated war veteran who served in the Korean War and received two Purple Hearts. He died in 2014 at the age of 86.
The Surname Mystery
So how did Jennifer Garner and James Garner end up with the same last name? Well, it turns out that Garner is a fairly common surname that has multiple origins and meanings. According to Ancestry.com, Garner can be derived from:
– An Old French word “gerner” or “gernier”, meaning “granary” or “storehouse”. This was an occupational name for someone who worked in or owned a granary.
– An Old English word “gearn”, meaning “yarn”. This was also an occupational name for someone who spun or wove yarn.
– A Norman French word “garnier”, meaning “armorer” or “maker of helmets”. This was another occupational name for someone who made or sold armor or helmets.
Therefore, it is possible that Jennifer Garner and James Garner have different ancestors who adopted or were given the surname Garner based on their occupations or locations. It is also possible that they have some distant common ancestor who shared the surname, but that would be very hard to trace without extensive genealogical research.
Conclusion
Jennifer Garner and James Garner are not related to each other, despite sharing the same last name and profession. They have different backgrounds, origins, and family histories. Their surname is a common one that has multiple origins and meanings. They are both talented and successful actors who have made their mark in Hollywood.
