Gambon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Gambon surname is derived from the Anglo-Norman French word "gambon," meaning "ham," which comes ultimately from a Norman-Picard form of the Old French "jambe" meaning "leg."

Early Origins of the Gambon family

The surname Gambon was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where John le Gamone, or le Gamene, was found in Southamptonshire; William Gamen, in Suffolk; Geoffrey Gamon, in Oxfordshire and Richard Gamen in Norfolk. 1 All held land at that time.

"Gammon is now a common name in North Devon, in the districts of Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. Two Tiverton churchwardens, in 1720 and 1751, bore this name." 2

Early History of the Gambon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gambon research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1599, 1603, 1607, 1642, 1660, 1670, 1767 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Gambon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gambon Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Gamon, Gambone, Gambon, Gammon, Gamboun, Gamboune and others.

Early Notables of the Gambon family

Notable amongst the family at this time was James Gammon (fl. 1660-1670), English engraver, known by a few works, which, though they possess little merit as engravings, are valued for their rarity. They are for the most part poor copies of better known engravings. Gammon resided in London, and was employed by the booksellers. Among his engravings were portraits of James I, Charles I, Charles II, Catherine of Braganza, James, duke of York, Henry, duke of Gloucester, Mary, princess of Orange, Duke and Duchess of Monmouth, Richard Cromwell, George Monck, Duke of...
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gambon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gambon family to Ireland

Some of the Gambon 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.

Gambon migration to the United States +

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Gambon:

Gambon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Maure Gambon, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1848 aboard the ship "J. B. Lindsey"
Domingo Gambon, aged 32, Spanish settler who arrived in New York in 1856 aboard the ship "Quaker City"
Michael Gambon, aged 21, Irish settler who arrived in New York in 1863 aboard the ship "City of Washington"
Johanna Gambon, aged 23, Irish settler who arrived in New York in 1882 aboard the ship "Erno"
Antoine Gambon, aged 18, Swedish settler who arrived in New York in 1883 aboard the ship "Canada"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gambon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

G. B. Gambon, aged 40, who arrived in New York in 1901 aboard the ship "Pennsylvania"
Fausto de Gambon, aged 19, who arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Mexico"
Nellie Gambon, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Arabic"
Emile Gambon, aged 37, British settler who arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Celtic"

Contemporary Notables of the name Gambon (post 1700) +

Sir Michael John Gambon C.B.E (1940-2023), Irish-English actor, three time Olivier Award winner, two time Screen Actors Guild Award winner, four time BAFTA Award winner
Edward Gambon, Irish engineering operative in WW II, father of Michael John Gambon
Mary Gambon, (nee Hoare), Irish seamstress, mother of Michael John Gambon

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.