Show ContentsGibbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Picts were the ancient Scottish tribe where the ancestors of the Gibbey family lived. The name Gibbey comes from Gibb, which is a pet form of the personal name Gilbert. 1 2 3

This name is derived from the Old English forenames Gislberht and Gislbeorht, which mean bright hostage. 4

Early Origins of the Gibbey family

The surname Gibbey was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles.

Entries for the family are quite late by typical standards. Records in the 16th century include: "Dauid Gyb was member of assize at Cupar in 1521, Elizabeth Gib is recorded in Craigmakerane in 1585, and Robert Gib was burgess of Linlithgow in 1622." 2

Early History of the Gibbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gibbey research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1521, 1585, 1603, 1604, 1611, 1622, 1651, 1654, 1656, 1677, 1681, 1682, 1689, 1724, 1754 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gibbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gibbey Spelling Variations

When the first dictionaries were invented in the last few hundred years, spelling gradually became standardized. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound. Names were often recorded under different spelling variations every time they were written. Gibbey has been written Gibb, Gibbe, Gibbs, Gibbes and others.

Early Notables of the Gibbey family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was William Gibbes (died 1689), an English merchant and politician, Member of Parliament for Suffolk (1654-1656), High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1677. Frederick Gibb (d. 1681), was a miscellaneous writer, son of Bernard Gibb, advocate and was born at Dunfermline, studied medicine, and took, 9 Sept. 1651, the degree of doctor at the university of Valence. He spent his life abroad. He died 27 March...
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gibbey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Gibbey family to Ireland

Some of the Gibbey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gibbey family

The crossing to North America did not seem so great in comparison with the hardships many Scots endured at home. It was long, expensive, and cramped, but also rewarding. North America offered land and the chance for settlers to prove themselves in a new place. And many did prove themselves as they fought to forge a new nation in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of those Scots can now experience much of their once-lost heritage through the Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up across North America in the last century. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Gibbey: Andrew Gibb, who joined the "Gardiners," who bought Long Island from the native North Americans. in 1655; James Gibb, who came to Maryland in 1674.



The Gibbey 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: Tenax propositi
Motto Translation: Firm of purpose.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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