Show ContentsGambone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gambone

What does the name Gambone mean?

The Gambone 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 Gambone family

The surname Gambone 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 Gambone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gambone 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 Gambone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gambone 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 Gambone 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 Gambone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gambone family to Ireland

Some of the Gambone 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.

Migration of the Gambone family

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Gambone: Nath Gammon, who settled in Virginia in 1623; Jno Gammon, who arrived in Virginia in 1674; John Gammon, who came to New England in 1721; Lucy Gammon, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757.



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


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