Verdier Family History

French: occupational name for a forester Old French verdier (from Late Latin viridarius a derivative of viridis ‘green’). The medieval officials in charge of a forest were known as verdiers on account of their green costumes which may be regarded as an early example of camouflage.

French (southern): topographic name for someone who lived near an orchard or garden from Occitan verdier ‘orchard’ (from Late Latin viridiarium) or a habitational name from (Le) Verdier the name of several places in the southern part of France named with this word.

English: rare surname of Norman (and Huguenot) origin from Anglo-Norman French verder ‘verderer judicial officer of a royal forest’ (see 1 above). As a surname of Huguenot origin it is also from Occitan verdier ‘orchard’ (see 2 above).