Show ContentsGiddeon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Giddeon is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived the ancient Hebrew name Gideon, meaning one who cuts down.

Early Origins of the Giddeon family

The surname Giddeon 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 Giddeon family

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

Giddeon Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Giddeon has been spelled many different ways, including Giddy, Giddie, Gideon, Gedy, Geddy, Geddey and others.

Early Notables of the Giddeon 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 Giddeon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Giddeon family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Giddeons to arrive in North America: James Giddie who settled in New England in 1805.



  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


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