Gifford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The history of the Gifford family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Staffordshire with now extinct branches in Devon, Southampton and Buckinghamshire. 1 Some references claim that the surname was a nickname for a chubby cheeked or round faced person having derived from the Old French word "giffard," a pejorative form of "giffel," meaning "jaw." This is not the case.

"The old historical Giffards of Normandy and England descended from the De Bollebecs, who were connected by marriage with Richard I, Duke of Normandy. Walter, son of de Bollebec, though surnamed 'Gifford,' or 'the Liberal,' seems to have been conservative in the acquisition and retention of lands; for he got not only the fair domain of Longueville, from Richard II of Normandy, but also the Earldom of Buckinghamshire." 2

"Three brothers of the name Giffard, Walter, Berenger, and Osberne entered in Domesday Book as holding English baronies from the time of the Conquest. Walter, the eldest, received as many as 107 manors in different counties, had his largest domain in Buckinghamshire, and was Earl of that county; Berenger held the barony of Fonthill, called from him Fonthill-Giffard, in Wiltshire; and Osberne that of Brimsfield in Gloucestershire." 3

"When William of Normandy desired to invade England, many of his nobles held cautiously back from proffering aid, being wearied and impoverished by the continued struggles in which the Duke had been engaged since his father's death. But a few staunch adherents, amongst the foremost of whom were Walter de Gyffarde, Count of Longueville, and Osborne, his brother, the sons of Osborne de Bolebec, coming nobly forward with offers of men, ships, &c., the laggards were thereby warmed to the undertaking, and the expedition was carried out." 4

Early Origins of the Gifford family

The surname Gifford was first found in Devon, Southampton, Buckinghamshire and Staffordshire. As mentioned above, the surviving Staffordshire branch has remained there since the reign of Henry II when Peter Gifford became Lord of the Manor of Chillington. 1

Chillington Hall is a Georgian country house near Brewood in Staffordshire. The current estate is the third manor on the site - the first stone castle was built by the family in the 12th century and part of the current cellar contains some of the original foundation. Another branch of the family was found at Great Blakenham in Suffolk.

"Walter Gifford, Earl of Buckingham, appropriated the manor, in the time of William II., to the monks of Bec in Normandy, who established a cell here." 5

Little is known of Walter Gifford other than he was Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1311. Bletchley in Buckinghamshire was another family seat.

"Walter Gifford, Earl of Buckingham, possessed by grant from William Rufus the whole landed property of this parish, which was inherited by Richard de Clare, Earl of Hertford, who had married his granddaughter, Roesia." 5

Godfrey Giffard (1235?-1302), was Chancellor of England and Bishop of Worcester, the son of Hugh Giffard of Boyton in Wiltshire, a royal justice. He was born about 1235 (Calendarium Genealogicum, p. 281). He was the younger brother of Walter Giffard. When his brother was Bishop of Bath and Wells, he became Canon of Wells. 6

John Giffard Lord Gifford of Bromsfield (1232-1299), was a "soldier and Baron in the reigns of Henry III and Edward I, descended from Osbern Giffard, a Norman noble, who under William I acquired various estates, of which Bromsfield (now Brimpsfield) in Gloucestershire and Sherrington in Wiltshire were the chief. From Osbern was descended Richard, one of the justices appointed at Northampton in 1176, whose grandson, Elias, was one of the barons who fought against King John." 6

Early History of the Gifford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gifford research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1200, 1279, 1396, 1444, 1496, 1536, 1548, 1554, 1557, 1560, 1590, 1600, 1613, 1629, 1642, 1687, 1703, 1734, 1776 and 1826 are included under the topic Early Gifford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gifford Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Gifford, Giffard, Geffard, Gyfford, Gifferd, Geffard, Gifferd, Gyffard, Gyfferd, Gyford, Giford, Givard, Givord, Giverd and many more.

Early Notables of the Gifford family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Alexander Gifford
George Gifford (by 1496-1557) an English politician, Member of Parliament for Buckingham in 1536 and Buckinghamshire in April 1554
George Gifford (died 1613), English politician, Member of Parliament for Morpeth and Cricklade
Gabriel Gifford (1554-1629), Catholic Archbishop of Reims
Gilbert Gifford (1560-1590), English double agent who worked for Sir Francis Walsingham and played a role in the uncovering of the Babington Plot
George Gifford (c.1548-1600), a Puritan preacher in Maldon, Essex

Gifford Ranking

In the United States, the name Gifford is the 1,858^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Gifford family to Ireland

Some of the Gifford family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gifford migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Gifford or a variant listed above were:

Gifford Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Francis Gifford, who settled in Virginia in 1626
Mr. Edward Gifford, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Safety" arriving in Virginia in 1635 8
Miss Hanna Gifford, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Alice" 9
Ursula Gifford, who landed in Maryland in 1638 10
William Gifford, who arrived in America in 1647 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gifford Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jonathan Gifford, who arrived in Montserrat in 1710 10
Stephen Gifford, who landed in Virginia in 1712 10
Andrew Gifford, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 10
Samuel Gifford, who arrived in New England in 1717 10
Thomas Gifford, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1795

Gifford Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Tilfair Gifford, who arrived in New York in 1826 10
A Gifford, aged 45, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1838 10
George Gifford, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1847 10
John James Gifford, who landed in America in 1848 10
D B Gifford, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gifford migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gifford Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Gifford, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749

Gifford migration to Australia +

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

Gifford Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Benjamin Gifford, (Griffin), (b. 1813), aged 15, English boot maker who was convicted in London, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1903 11
John Gifford, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 12
Mr. Edward Gifford, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Cressy" on 28th April 1843, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Lawrence Gifford, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Charlotte Jane" 14
Joseph Gifford, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Caucasian" 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gifford 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:

Gifford Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. Mary Ann Gifford née Clarke, (b. 1798), aged 44, British settler born in Somerset travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 16
Mr. Jacob Gifford, (b. 1972), aged 50, British settler born in Somerset travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 16
Mr. Issac Gifford, (b. 1818), aged 24, British settler born in Somerset travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 16
Mr. James Gifford, (b. 1821), aged 21, British settler born in Somerset travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 16
Mr. Humphrey Gifford, (b. 1828), aged 14, British settler born in Somerset travelling from London and Plymouth aboard the ship "Thomas Sparks" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1843, the ship stuck rocks of the coast of Cape of Good Hope delaying her landing by 2 months 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gifford migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17

Gifford Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Samuel Gifford, who settled in Barbados, with his wife, two children, and servants in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Gifford (post 1700) +

Gloria Gifford (1978-2006), American film and TV actress
Charles Laceille Gifford (1871-1947), American politician, United States Representative from Massachusetts (1922-1933), (1933-1943), (1943-1947)
Charles K. Gifford, American former Chairman Emeritus of Bank of America, corporate director of CBS Corporation
Dan Gifford, American Academy Award nominated actor and producer, known for Contact (1997), Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1997) and NetForce (1999)
Kathie Lee Gifford (b. 1953), born Kathryn Lee Epstein, French-born, American ten-time Daytime Emmy Award nominated actress, known for Today (1952), Kathie Lee's Rock n' Tots Cafe: A Christmas 'Giff' (1995) and Kathie Lee Gifford... Looking for Christmas (1994)
Cassidy Erin Gifford (b. 1993), American actress, known for God's Not Dead (2014), The Gallows (2015) and God Is Not Dead! (2013)
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford (1930-2015), former American football player, well known American two-time Primetime Emmy nominated sports commentator
Frances Gifford (1920-1994), American actress
Robert Swain Gifford (1840-1905), American landscape painter
Charles Gifford, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1972 18
... (Another 46 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Gifford family +

HMS Repulse

Mr. John Renshaw Gifford, British Lieutenant, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 19

The Gifford Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Malo mori quam foedari
Motto Translation: I would rather die than be disgraced.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN from London 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840John.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 21st May 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cressy
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CHARLOTTE JANE 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/charlottejane1852.shtml
South Australian Register Tuesday 26 April 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Caucasian 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caucasian1853.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html