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Show ContentsGibbons History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Gibbons surname is thought to have evolved in Britain, from the common medieval personal names Gibbon, or Gib. There was also a place named Marsh Gibbon, Buckinghamshire, listed in the Great Domesday Book of 1086, and the surname may have been taken on from the place name.

Alternatively, the name may be a nickname as this source explains: "as Tib was the name for a female cat, so was Gib for a male, but the distinction was gradually forgotten." 1

And a few sources note that the name is "a pet form of Gilbert (pledge, bright)" 2 3 4

Early Origins of the Gibbons family

The surname Gibbons was first found in Southern England, where a Ralph Gibiun (or Gibbewin) was on record in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1176. Geoffrey Gibewin (Gibwin) was listed several times in Curia Regis Rolls, in Somerset in 1196, in Northamptonshire in 1208, and in Buckinghamshire in 1213. A Gibbe de Huckenhale was on record in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire of 1179. 4

The Writs of Parliament list Adam Gibbe, 1311, but no place name. 1

Early History of the Gibbons family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gibbons research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1513, 1570, 1573, 1583, 1585, 1589, 1600, 1601, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1610, 1611, 1615, 1625, 1627, 1629, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1647, 1648, 1660, 1676, 1697, 1718, 1721, 1771 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gibbons History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gibbons Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gibbon, Gibbons, Gib, Gibb, Gibbs and others.

Early Notables of the Gibbons family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Gibbon or Guybon, who was Sheriff of Norfolk in 1513; Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), English composer and organist at Westminster Abbey; and Ellis Gibbons (1573-1603), an English composer, one of the ol...
  • Christopher Gibbons (1615-1676), was an English composer and organist; and Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721), English (Rotterdam-born from English parents) wood-carver and sculptor, regarded as England's f...
  • Nicholas Gibbon or Gibbons the Elder (fl. 1600), was a theological writer, matriculated as pensioner at Clare Hall, Cambridge, in June 1585

Gibbons World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gibbons is the 1,151st most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 5 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Gibbons is ranked the 250th most popular surname with an estimated 175 people with that name. 6 And in Australia, the name Gibbons is the 751st popular surname with an estimated 5,189 people with that name. 7 New Zealand ranks Gibbons as 435th with 1,546 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Gibbons as 419th with 15,552 people. 9

Ireland Migration of the Gibbons family to Ireland

Some of the Gibbons family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Gibbons migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gibbons Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Gibbons, who landed in New England in 1629 10
  • Ambrose Gibbons, who arrived in New England in 1632 10
  • Oliver Gibbons, who arrived in Maryland in 1635 10
  • Mr. James Gibbons, aged 21, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 10
  • James Gibbons, who arrived in New England in 1652 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gibbons Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Guy Gibbons, who landed in Virginia in 1701 10
  • Peter Gibbons, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 10
  • Easter Gibbons, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 10
  • Henry Gibbons, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1767 10
  • Nicholas Gibbons, who landed in South Carolina in 1772 10
Gibbons Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Gibbons, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1800 10
  • William Gibbons, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 10
  • M Gibbons, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 10
  • J Gibbons, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 10
  • H Gibbons, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Gibbons migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gibbons Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Richard Gibbons, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Susanah Gibbons, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Dennis Gibbons, who landed in Quebec in 1784
Gibbons Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Gibbons, who arrived in Canada in 1816
  • William Gibbons, who landed in Canada in 1820
  • John Gibbons, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1831
  • Dorothy Gibbons, aged 19, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
  • George Gibbons, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Daniel O'Connell" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Gibbons migration to Australia +

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

Gibbons Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Gibbons, (b. 1799), aged 19, Irish labourer who was convicted in Galway, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 9th August 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Josiah Gibbons, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
  • Miss Mary Gibbons, (b. 1803), aged 25, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Tipperary, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "City of Edinburgh II" on 23rd June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1869 13
  • Mr. Thomas Gibbons, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales 14
  • Mr. Peter Gibbons, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Gibbons 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:

Gibbons Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Ellen Gibbons, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Burleigh" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th August 1856 16
  • Mr. Patrick Gibbons, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Martaban" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1856 16
  • Samuel Gibbons, who arrived in Canterbury aboard the ship "Hastings" in 1856
  • Sarah Gibbons, who arrived in Canterbury aboard the ship "Hastings" in 1856
  • Mr. Francis Gibbons, British settler travelling from Liverpool aboard the ship "Tornado" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th September 1859 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Gibbons 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. 18
Gibbons Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mathew Gibbons, aged 20, who arrived in Barbados in 1635 10
  • Mr. Mathew Gibbons, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 19

Contemporary Notables of the name Gibbons (post 1700) +

  • Cedric Gibbons (1893-1960), American art director and production designer for the film industry; he was nominated 39 times for the Academy Award for Best Production Design and won the Oscar 11 times
  • Richard Gibbons (1734-1794), British jurist and politician, Chief Justice of the Colony of Cape Breton (1785-1788) and (1791-1794), founder of the banned group “Seed of Rebellion”; he and his family were captured and he died in the French prison
  • Scott Gibbons (b. 1969), American composer and performer of electroacoustic music
  • Carroll Gibbons (1903-1954), American-born British bandleader and popular composer who made his career primarily in England during the British dance band era
  • Jim Gibbons (1936-2016), American professional football tight end
  • John Howard "Jack" Gibbons (1929-2015), American scientist, nuclear physicist, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
  • James Gibbons (1834-1921), American clergyman, Archbishop of Baltimore, (1877-1921)
  • William Frederick "Billy" Gibbons (b. 1949), American musician, actor and car customizer, best known as the guitarist for ZZ Top, according to Rolling Stone, he's ranked 32nd on the list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" (2011)
  • Kaye Gibbons (b. 1960), American novelist
  • John Ronald Gibbons (1925-2021), English professional footballer who played as a centre forward (1947-1951); he died on 31 January 2021, aged 95, from COVID-19
  • ... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Thomas William Gibbons (1917-1942), English Marine from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing and presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore 1942 20
  • Mr. Donald Lewis Gibbons, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 20
  • Mr. Anthony S Gibbons, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Thomas William Gibbons, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 21
  • Mr. Stanley Edward Gibbons, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 21
HMS Royal Oak
  • John Albert Gibbons (1901-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Michael Gibbons, American 3rd Class passenger from Chicago, Illinois, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Jacob William Gibbons, aged 36, English Saloon Steward from Studland, Dorset who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 11 24
SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. Thomas Gibbons (1889-1914), Newfoundlander from St. Vincent's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
  • Mr. Sebastian Gibbons (1890-1914), Newfoundlander from St. Vincent's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
  • Mr. Lawrence Gibbons (1886-1914), Newfoundlander from St. Vincent's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
  • Mr. Edward Gibbons (1890-1914), Newfoundlander from St. Vincent's who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. 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)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. 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)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  12. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 10th February 2021 https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/city-of-edinburgh
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  20. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  21. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  22. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  23. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  24. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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