Surname Gibbs - Meaning and Origin

A Journey Back in Time: How My iGENEA DNA Test Transformed My Perception of the Gibbs Surname and Family Identity

Unearthing my ancestral roots through an iGENEA DNA test has been a transformative experience. The discoveries regarding my Gibbs family lineage have significantly altered my view of family identity vis-à-vis the broader sweep of human history. On the other side of the genetic information gateway, my perspective on surname Gibbs has morphed from just a surname to a meaningful cultural and historical emblem.

H. Gibbs

Gibbs: What does the surname Gibbs mean?

The surname Gibbs is of early medieval English origin. It derives from Gibb, a popular personal name during the Middle Ages, which is a diminutive form of the name Gilbert. Gilbert comes from the Old Germanic name "Gisilbert", meaning "bright pledge". Thereof, Gibbs essentially translates to "son of Gibb". Therefore, it is categorized as a patronymic surname, referring to the father's first name or a personal characteristic. Many European cultures used this method to create surnames. This name became prevalent in England after being introduced by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. Over the centuries, the pronunciation and spelling of the name have changed, leading to several variations such as Gibbes, Gibs, and Gibbeson. Like many surnames, Gibbs is common both as a family name and a first name. It remains widespread in England and has also been carried to various parts of the world due to emigration, especially to the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Gibbs: Where does the name Gibbs come from?

The last name Gibbs is of English origin, derived from the popular medieval personal name Gib, which is a short form of Gilbert. The "-s" at the end typically signifies "son of," making the meaning of the name "son of Gib." The name Gilbert is of Norman origin and means "bright promise."

The surname Gibbs became common throughout England during the 14th century and then spread across to Scotland and Wales. Afterwards, with the sizable scale of emigration from Britain to North America during the 17th and 18th centuries, this surname was carried to many parts of the United States and Canada where it has become quite common. The name is also still prevalent today in the United Kingdom.

Over the years, the name Gibbs has been famously carried by many notable figures in a variety of fields, including music, sports, sciences, politics, and more. This has significantly increased its recognition and use around the world. Despite this, the strongest concentration of people with the surname Gibbs still remain predominantly in English-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Gibbs

The surname Gibbs is of English origin. The name draws its roots from the given name Gibb, which is a medieval short variation of Gilbert. The suffix ‘-s’ in Gibbs usually denotes “son of”, hence “Gibbs” implies “son of Gibb”.

Variations of the Gibbs surname include Gibbes, Gibs, and Gibb. Its spelling in old English records also appears as Gibbe, Ghybbes, or Gybbes. There's also a version Gibbins, meaning 'the son of Gibbin', a pet form of Gibb.

Other related surnames that may share the same or similar origin due to the use of 'Gilbert' include Gibson, Gilbertson, and Gilb. It's important to note that given the common use of certain root names, correlations between surnames don't always signify a common origin.

The surname has also been widely spread across regions due to the British colonization, leading to its present forms and the variations across different cultures and languages. For families bearing the Gibbs surname or its variants, it can be worthwhile tracing the family history back to the British Isles for a more accurate origin.

Famous people with the name Gibbs

• Barry Gibbs: A member of the famous band, the Bee Gees, known for their contribution to the disco era.
• Robin and Maurice Gibbs: Barry's brothers and fellow members of the Bee Gees.
• Joe Gibbs: A former American football coach and NASCAR championship team owner.
• Freddie Gibbs: An American rapper and songwriter.
• Jake Gibbs: An American former baseball player.
• Marla Gibbs: An American actress, singer, comedian, writer, and television producer.
• Georgia Gibbs: A popular American singer in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Mike Gibbs: An English composer, arranger, and producer working in jazz and popular music.
• Josh Gibbs: An American artist and illustrator.
• Sir Humphrey Gibbs: The last Governor of Rhodesia.
• Stuart Gibbs: An American children's author.
• Nicolas Gibbs: A music video director.
• Bob Gibbs: A U.S. congressman from Ohio.
• Kieran Gibbs: An English professional footballer.
• Tom Gibbs: A jazz pianist and composer from Scotland.
• Andy Gibbs: An American daytime Emmy award-winning actor.
• Cedric Gibbs: An Australian cricketer.
• Melvin Gibbs: An American bass player.
• Gibbs Akwasi Frimpong: A Ghanaian-Dutch sprinter and bobsledder.
• Edward Gibbs: A British architect.
• Gibbs Diecastings: An American industrialist.

Other surnames

GibbGibbardGibbelsGibbesGibbonGibbons