Show ContentsGibsons History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland, made up the ancient Dalriadan kingdom, the ancestral home of the Gibsons family. Their name comes from the given name Gibb, which is a diminutive form of the name Gilbert. 1

Early Origins of the Gibsons family

The surname Gibsons was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat from very early times.

Descended from a chieftain, Gilbert, probably Gilbert, Lord of Galloway, the Gibsons settled first at Lennox in Scotland, and in those early times was a formidable force to be encountered. The first official mention was when John Gibson surrendered the Castle of Rothesay in 1335. A few years later, Thomas Gibbeson was charged with breaking parole in 1358; and John Gybbessone was listed as a servitor of William Douglas when he was held hostage by Henry Vi in 1425.1

Later a branch of the family were well established in the sea-port and ancient burgh of barony of Levin in Fifeshire. "This place, which is agreeably situated on the sea-shore at the mouth of the river whence it takes its name, was erected into a burgh of barony by charter of the proprietor of the lands of Durie, now belonging to the Christies, but once in the possession of the family of Gibson, whose descendants, the lords Durie, are distinguished in Scottish history." 2

Early History of the Gibsons family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gibsons research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1488, 1513, 1540, 1562, 1590, 1600, 1603, 1615, 1637, 1644, 1656, 1668, 1669, 1690, 1693, 1696, 1698, 1701, 1702, 1717, 1748 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gibsons History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gibsons Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Gibsons have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. Gibson, Gibsone, Gibsons, Gipson, Gibsoun, Gipsone, Gibbson, Gibbsone, Gippson and many more.

Early Notables of the Gibsons family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Richard Gibson (1615-1690), known as "Dwarf Gibson", a painter of portrait miniatures and a court dwarf in England during the reigns of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, Charles II and William and Mary; Sir John Gibson, of Alderstone, in Ratho parish, near Edinburgh; and his son, Sir John Gibson (ca. 1637-1717), founder of the Gloucestershire Regiment and Member of Parliament for Portsmouth, 1696-1698 and 1702. Thomas Gibson (d. 1562), was an English printer, medical practitioner, and theological writer and a native of Morpeth, Northumberland. Sir Alexander Gibson , Lord Durie (d. 1644), was a Scottish judge...
Another 151 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gibsons Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Gibsons family to Ireland

Some of the Gibsons family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 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 Gibsons family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Gibsons family emigrate to North America: Ann Gibson who settled in New England in 1635; Edward Gibson settled in Virginia in 1637; they also settled in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland in the 19th century. George Gibson settled in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774. In Newfoundland, Thomas Gibson settled in Tilton Harbour in 1823.



The Gibsons 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: Recte et fideliter
Motto Translation: Just and faithful.


  1. 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)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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