Gibson

Origin and Meaning
Gibson is a common surname of English and Scottish origin. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the medieval given name Gib, a diminutive of the name Gilbert. The name Gilbert is of Old Germanic origin and means "bright pledge."

History and Background
The surname Gibson has a long history in the British Isles, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is particularly prevalent in Scotland and northern England. The name was originally used as a given name, and over time, it became established as a hereditary surname passed down from father to son.

Notable People

  • Debbie Gibson - American singer-songwriter and actress
  • Mel Gibson - Australian-American actor and filmmaker
  • James Gibson - British swimmer and Olympic gold medalist

Variants and Related Surnames
Variants of the surname Gibson include Gibbson, Gibbons, and Gibb. Related surnames include Gilbert, Gillespie, and Gilson.

In Popular Culture
The surname Gibson has been used in various works of fiction and media. One notable example is the character "Hannah Gibson" in the TV series Criminal Minds.

There are approximately 64,799 people named Gibson in the UK. That makes it the 99th most common surname in Britain. Around 995 in a million people in Britain are named Gibson.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jane
  • Julie
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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