Gibson Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Gibson Family History

Gibson Family History

The ancient origin of the name Gibson was found in the irishsurnames.com archives.

Surnames developed a wide number of variants over the centuries. Many different spelling variations of the same name can be traced back to a single original root. Also, when a bearer of a name emigrated from Ireland it was not uncommon that their original name would be incorrectly transcribed in the record books upon arrival at their new location. Some names have dozens of spelling variations. Some Surnames were also altered over the years based on how they sounded phonetically, by their sound, and depending on the prevailing political conditions it may have been advantageous to change a name from one language to another. This was especially so in Ireland where most Gaelic names were 'anglicized' at some stage.

Variants of the name Gibson include Gilbert, Gilbertson, Gibb, Gibbs, Gibbonson, Gibbons and Gibbins. Meaning 'son of Gilbert' this name is of Anglo-Saxon descent spreading to the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts throughout these countries. Examples of such are a Johannes Gybbson and a Nicholas Gybonson who were recorded in the 'Poll Tax' of the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, in the year 1379. A John Gybbessone was a servitor of William Douglas, one of the hostages of Henry VI in 1425. The Irish Gibsons are from Scotland and were a branch of the Clan Buchanan. In modern times the name is numerous in Ulster Province. The names Gipsey and Gibson have been used as anglicized forms of the Gaelic O'Gibealain sept name of County Roscommon, that more often changed to Giblin. The Gibson family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Gibson descendants.