| ![Show Contents]() Gettys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland Etymology of GettysWhat does the name Gettys mean? The Scottish name Gettys is thought to be a habitational name, taken on from a place name in the county of Nairn. The place name Geddes is thought to have come from a Gaelic term for a mountain ridge. It has also been suggested that the surname was a patronymic created from the personal name Geddie, of uncertain origin, but which may come from a Scots dialect word "gedd," meaning "pike." Early Origins of the Gettys familyThe surname Gettys was first found in Nairnshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Narann) in northern Scotland, today part of the Council Area of Highland where they held the lands of Geddes, formerly held by the Rose family. Further south the Gedding variant were first found in the parish of Gedding in Suffolk. "This place, which comprises about 580 acres, was the property of Sir John Gedding, who resided in the manorhouse of Gedding Hall, and died about the 21st of the reign of Edward I." 1 Early History of the Gettys familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gettys research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1394, 1406, 1470, 1558, 1590, 1597, 1600, 1650, 1660, 1694, 1713, 1737, 1739, 1799, 1802 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gettys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gettys Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Geddes, Geddas, Geddis, Gedes, Geddeis, Geddy and many more. Early Notables of the Gettys familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was John Gedy , the Abbot of Arbroath in 1394, said to have been influential in creating the harbour there. According to Edinburgh tradition, Jenny Geddes (c.1600-c. 1660), a Scottish market-trader is said to have thrown a stool at the head of the minister in St Giles' Cathedral in objection to the first use of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer in Scotland. The act is supposed to...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gettys Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gettys RankingIn the United States, the name Gettys is the 16,535th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2 Migration of the Gettys family to IrelandSome of the Gettys family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 111 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Gettys familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Geddes, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1789; John Geddes settled in South Carolina in 1822; Donald Geddes settled in New York in 1817; James Geddes settled in Baltimore in 1823. In Newfoundland, John settled in St. John's in 1843.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Gettys (post 1700) | + |
- Thomas Smithwick Gettys (1912-2003), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from South Carolina 5th District, 1964-74 3
- R. D. Gettys, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 1952 3
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: Capta majora
Motto Translation: Seek greater things.
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