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The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Jeppsen is the given name Gibb, which is a diminutive form of the name Gilbert. 1
The surname Jeppsen was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat from very early times.
Descended from a chieftain, Gilbert, probably Gilbert, Lord of Galloway, the Gibsons settled first at Lennox in Scotland, and in those early times was a formidable force to be encountered. The first official mention was when John Gibson surrendered the Castle of Rothesay in 1335. A few years later, Thomas Gibbeson was charged with breaking parole in 1358; and John Gybbessone was listed as a servitor of William Douglas when he was held hostage by Henry Vi in 1425.1
Later a branch of the family were well established in the sea-port and ancient burgh of barony of Levin in Fifeshire. "This place, which is agreeably situated on the sea-shore at the mouth of the river whence it takes its name, was erected into a burgh of barony by charter of the proprietor of the lands of Durie, now belonging to the Christies, but once in the possession of the family of Gibson, whose descendants, the lords Durie, are distinguished in Scottish history." 2
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jeppsen research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1488, 1513, 1540, 1562, 1590, 1600, 1603, 1615, 1637, 1644, 1656, 1668, 1669, 1690, 1693, 1696, 1698, 1701, 1702, 1717, 1748 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Jeppsen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Historical recordings of the name Jeppsen include many spelling variations. They include They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. Gibson, Gibsone, Gibsons, Gipson, Gibsoun, Gipsone, Gibbson, Gibbsone, Gippson and many more.
Another 151 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jeppsen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Jeppsen, or a variant listed above: Ann Gibson who settled in New England in 1635; Edward Gibson settled in Virginia in 1637; they also settled in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland in the 19th century. George Gibson settled in Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia in 1774. In Newfoundland, Thomas Gibson settled in Tilton Harbour in 1823.