Show ContentsGumby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gumby family

The surname Gumby was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Gunby held by Gilbert de Tison from the Count of Mortain who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Gumby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gumby research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1268 is included under the topic Early Gumby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gumby Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gunby, Gunbie, Goneby, Gonby, Gumby, Gumbie and others.

Early Notables of the Gumby family

More information is included under the topic Early Gumby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gumby family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers were recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled on the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Boston, to Virginia, to Florida, and to the islands..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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