Gibbs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The ancestors of the first family to use the name Gibbs lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Gibbs is derived from Gibb, which is a pet form of the personal name Gilbert. 1 2 3

This name is derived from the Old English forenames Gislberht and Gislbeorht, which mean bright hostage. 4

Early Origins of the Gibbs family

The surname Gibbs was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles.

Entries for the family are quite late by typical standards. Records in the 16th century include: "Dauid Gyb was member of assize at Cupar in 1521, Elizabeth Gib is recorded in Craigmakerane in 1585, and Robert Gib was burgess of Linlithgow in 1622." 2

Early History of the Gibbs family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gibbs research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1521, 1585, 1603, 1604, 1611, 1622, 1651, 1654, 1656, 1677, 1681, 1682, 1689, 1724, 1754 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gibbs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gibbs Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. Gibbs has been spelled Gibb, Gibbe, Gibbs, Gibbes and others.

Early Notables of the Gibbs family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was William Gibbes (died 1689), an English merchant and politician, Member of Parliament for Suffolk (1654-1656), High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1677. Frederick Gibb (d. 1681), was a miscellaneous writer, son of Bernard Gibb, advocate and was born at Dunfermline, studied medicine, and took, 9 Sept. 1651, the degree of doctor at the university of Valence. He spent his life abroad. He died 27 March...
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gibbs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gibbs World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gibbs is the 414th most popular surname with an estimated 67,149 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Gibbs is ranked the 383rd most popular surname with an estimated 9,726 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Gibbs is the 206th popular surname with an estimated 2,712 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Gibbs as 306th with 19,800 people. 8

Migration of the Gibbs family to Ireland

Some of the Gibbs family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gibbs migration to the United States +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name Gibbs:

Gibbs Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Gibbs Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Gibbs Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Gibbs migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gibbs Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Gibbs Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Gibbs Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Gibbs migration to Australia +

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

Gibbs Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Gibbs 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:

Gibbs Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Gibbs migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Gibbs Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Gibbs (post 1700) +


The Gibbs 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: Tenax propositi
Motto Translation: Firm of purpose.


Suggested Readings for the name Gibbs +
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