Gee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


The Strathclyde Briton clans of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first to use the name Gee. It is derived from the personal name Gee. The origins of the surname Gee are extremely uncertain. In fact, many forms of the name did not appear prior to the 16th century. The existence of the patronym Geeson, suggests that the name is indeed of patronymic origin. Patronymic names are merely one of many types of surnames, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Many patronyms arose out of the religious and vernacular naming traditions, which adopted the names of famous figures as surnames. The most common form of patronym, however, was taken from the given name of the father of the bearer. The Gee family was found in Scotland, in Dumfriesshire, in the early Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Gee family

The surname Gee was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area. Another source claims the name was derived from the Irish MagAoidh, meaning 'son of Aodh,' and in Scotland, more often than not the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix was used.

Gilmighel Mac Ethe of Dumfries rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. and a year later, Gille Michel MacGethe was thanked by Edward I for putting down evildoers and for other services. The following year Neel McEthe, Gillecryst McEthe, Hoen McEthe, Cuthbert his brother, and all of the lineage of Clenafren, made submission to Edward I. Gilbert McGeth was custumar or collector of customs in the burgh of Kirkcudbrith in 1331. 1

Later, some of the family were found further south in England, specifically Cheshire where Dicon Gee was listed in the Stockport Parish in 1494, and Thomas Gee and Anne Lowe were married at Prestbury, Cheshire in 1562.

Uxor Johis Gee de Godley Hall was buried in Longendale, Cheshire in 1500. In this case, "this surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Gee,' now Gee Cross, a prosperous village in the parish of Stockport. That all our Gees hail from this spot admits of no doubt. The local registers teem with them. A glance at the index to Earwaker's East Cheshire will show that they had early spread themselves out into the surrounding country." 2

Early History of the Gee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gee research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1331, 1424, 1426, 1565, 1582, 1586, 1595, 1596, 1613, 1618, 1619, 1639, 1657, 1660, 1682, 1705 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Gee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gee Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Gee has appeared as Gee, MacGee, MacGhie, MacGhee, Magee and others.

Early Notables of the Gee family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Gee World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gee is the 1,555th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 3 However, in Australia, the name Gee is ranked the 743rd most popular surname with an estimated 5,233 people with that name. 4 And in New Zealand, the name Gee is the 683rd popular surname with an estimated 1,039 people with that name. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Gee as 688th with 9,678 people. 6

Migration of the Gee family to Ireland

Some of the Gee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gee migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Gee Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Gee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Gee migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Gee migration to Australia +

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

Gee Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Gee 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:

Gee Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Gee (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Gee +
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