Gibbons (surname)

Gibbons is an Irish and English surname of Norman origin.[1] The surname was first found in the counties of Limerick and Mayo, in which two distinct families arose shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland during the 12th century.[2]

The surname is derived from "Gibb", a short form of the popular Norman personal name Gilbert, which was first introduced in the 11th century by followers of William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England. It was originally derived from the name Gislebert or Gillebert, which is composed of the Germanic elements Gisil which means "hostage", "pledge", or "noble youth," and berht, which means "bright" or "famous."[3]

Most of those with the surname hail from Mayo and are a branch of the great Burke family, which played a prominent role in the Norman invasion. They were originally known as "MacGibbon Burke"[4] or "Mac Giobúin, son of Gilbert" (de Burgh). They were noted to have integrated into the local culture and customs more completely than other Norman invaders,[5] intermarrying with native noble Irish and becoming "more Irish than the Irish themselves".[6]

The family from Limerick is a branch of the aristocratic FitzGerald dynasty. They were knights descended from the Irish baron John FitzThomas (FitzGerald), ancestor of The Earls of Desmond and grandson of the Norman baron Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llanstephan.[5] The second branch of the FitzGerald family came to be known as "FitzGibbon" and were given the title of the White Knight, holding territory in southeast Limerick, near County Cork. The other two branches of the family were known as the Green Knight and the Black Knight, both of which kept the FitzGerald name.[6]

Notable people

Fictional characters

Gibbons may also be used as a first name. Notable people with the name include:

See also

Gibbon (surname)

References
  1. "Gibbons surname history". www.johngrenham.com. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  2. "Gibbons Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  3. "Gibbons Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  4. "Gibbons Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  5. O'Donovan, John (1858). "The Descendants of the Last Earls of Desmond". Ulster Journal of Archaeology. 6: 91–97. ISSN 0082-7355.
  6. "Gibbons Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
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