Show ContentsGish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gish family

The surname Gish was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1205 when Thomas Geg held estates.

Early History of the Gish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gish research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1455, 1487, 1500, 1508, 1530, 1570 and 1572 are included under the topic Early Gish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gish Spelling Variations

Gish has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Gedge, Gidge, Gigg, Gegg, Ginge, Genge and others.

Early Notables of the Gish family

Distinguished members of the family include Margaret Giggs (1508-1570), birth name of Margaret Clement or Clements, understood to be one of the most educated women of the Tudor era. Born in Norfolk, her father was a gentleman but enlisted the aid of Sir Thomas More, who brought her up from a child with his own daughters. In 1530, she...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gish Ranking

In the United States, the name Gish is the 5,494th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Gish family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Gishs to arrive on North American shores: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands. Many settled in Newfoundland..



  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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