Gilbert
A classic surname from the Norman personal name Gislebert, later shortened into many familiar English surname forms.
The #268 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 2,686 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Gilbert comes from the medieval personal name Gislebertus, brought into England by the Normans after the Conquest. The name is made from Germanic elements often explained as meaning something like “pledge” or “hostage” plus “bright” or “famous,” though older sources do not always agree on the exact first element. In English use, it became a hereditary surname from the father’s given name.
History
This was a very common baptismal name in medieval England, so it naturally produced a widespread surname. Older surname books note that it also helped generate or influence many related forms such as Gibbs, Gibson, Gill, Gilks, and Gilpin. The name remains especially common in England, Scotland, and across the English-speaking world.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A single medieval first name gave rise to a surprisingly large family of surnames, including Gibbs and Gibson as well as Gilbert itself.
From the historical record
“of Gilbert. GILBERT. A personal name, largely introduced at the Norman Conquest, in the form of Gislebertus. See Domesd. jMSsim. It is not only a very common surname, but has given birtJi to Gi1:))i, Gibbs, Gybbes, Gibbard, Gibbings, Gibbousou, Gibson, Gill, Gilks, Gilpin, and many othei'S. GILDER. The occupation.…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom