Gideon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The ancestry of the name Gideon dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived the ancient Hebrew name Gideon, meaning one who cuts down.

Early Origins of the Gideon family

The surname Gideon was first found in Hampshire where Herbert Gidi was the first on record at Winton in 1115. Further north, Walter le Gidye was listed in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219 and later Roger Geddy was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1230. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Nicholas de Gidd, Huntingdonshire. 2 And in Somerset, Ralph Gydye, and John Gydye were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

In Scotland, John Gedy (fl. 1370), was Abbot of Arbroath. He was " 'the worthy abbot of Aberbrothock' of Southey's 'Inchcape Bell,' and was in office in 1370 when he entered into an engagement regarding the judge or doomster of the regality. His seal is appended to the act of parliament which regulated the succession to the crown in 1371. " 4

Early History of the Gideon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gideon research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1697, 1699, 1720, 1729, 1753 and 1762 are included under the topic Early Gideon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gideon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Gideon have been found, including Giddy, Giddie, Gideon, Gedy, Geddy, Geddey and others.

Early Notables of the Gideon family

Distinguished members of the family include

Sir Charles Gideon

Gideon Ranking

In the United States, the name Gideon is the 8,482^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5

Gideon migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Gideon, or a variant listed above:

Gideon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Faris Gideon, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1895

Gideon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Henry J. Gideon, aged 34, who immigrated to America, in 1909
David S. Gideon, aged 49, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1911
Gideon, who landed in America, in 1913
Anna F. Gideon, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States, in 1913
Charles Gideon, aged 26, who settled in America, in 1919
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Gideon (post 1700) +

Alexis Gideon (b. 1980), American multi-media artist, composer and director
James Leslie Gideon (b. 1953), American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Texas Rangers in 1975
Ronnie Dwayne "Ron" Gideon (b. 1964), American professional baseball coach and manager, Tulsa Drillers Manager (2009-2010)
Miriam Gideon (1906-1996), American composer
Clarence Earl Gideon (1910-1972), American drifter accused in a Florida of felony theft; his case resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court decision Gideon v. Wainwright, that a criminal defendant who cannot afford to hire a lawyer must be provided one at no cost
Louan Gideon (1955-2014), American actress best known for her role as Danielle Atron on Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack
Elmo Clifford Gideon (1924-2010), American painter and sculptor
Leon P. Gideon, American politician, Mayor of Benton Harbor, Michigan, 1949-51 6
Edward E. Gideon, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Oregon 1st District, 1948 6
David Gideon, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 12th District, 1882 6
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html