Show ContentsGiddy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Giddy surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived the ancient Hebrew name Gideon, meaning one who cuts down.

Early Origins of the Giddy family

The surname Giddy was first found in Hampshire where Herbert Gidi was the first on record at Winton in 1115. Further north, Walter le Gidye was listed in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219 and later Roger Geddy was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1230. [1]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Nicholas de Gidd, Huntingdonshire. [2] And in Somerset, Ralph Gydye, and John Gydye were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) [3]

In Scotland, John Gedy (fl. 1370), was Abbot of Arbroath. He was " 'the worthy abbot of Aberbrothock' of Southey's 'Inchcape Bell,' and was in office in 1370 when he entered into an engagement regarding the judge or doomster of the regality. His seal is appended to the act of parliament which regulated the succession to the crown in 1371. " [4]

Early History of the Giddy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Giddy research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1697, 1699, 1720, 1729, 1753 and 1762 are included under the topic Early Giddy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Giddy Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Giddy include Giddy, Giddie, Gideon, Gedy, Geddy, Geddey and others.

Early Notables of the Giddy family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Charles Gideon; and Sampson Gideon (1699-1762), a Jewish-British banker in London, he was a trusted "adviser of the Government," and a supporter of the Jew Bill of 1753. " His father, Rowland Gideon (d. 1720), a West India merchant, who was a freeman of the city of London and on the court of the Painter Stainers' Company (admitted 17 Feb. 1697), had changed his name from the Portuguese...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Giddy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Giddy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Giddy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Giddy, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Rodney" [5]
  • Mr. William Giddy, (b. 1855), aged 19, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Samuel Plimsoll" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 16th December 1874 [6]

New Zealand Giddy migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Giddy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Geo Giddy, who landed in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Amelia Thompson

Contemporary Notables of the name Giddy (post 1700) +

  • Terry Giddy (b. 1950), Australian gold, three-time silver and two-time bronze medalist Paralympic athlete from Kempsey, New South Wales


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. South Australian Register Wednesday 21st February 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Rodney 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/rodney1855.shtml
  6. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 19). Emigrants to Australia NSW 1860 -88 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/nsw_passenger_lists_1860_88.pdf


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