Surname Giddings - Meaning and Origin
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Giddings: What does the surname Giddings mean?
The last name Giddings is of English origin, and it is believed to have derived from the Old English words “gydd” and “ing” which mean “god/divine” and “son of”, respectively. It is an occupational surname that was given to the son of a god or divine figure. The original spelling of the name is likely Gedding, so its original pronunciation would have sounded like GED-ing. It is a patronymic name, meaning that it references a person’s father.
The spelling of the name has changed many times over the centuries, with some of the most common variations including Gidding and Giddings. The earliest version of the name found in records was one John Geddinges, who lived in Norfolk, England in the 12th century. Giddings is still a relatively common surname in the United Kingdom, and is also found in many other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The Giddings family has a long and colorful history. During the Middle Ages, Giddings were known for their bravery, strong work ethic, and loyalty and bravery in times of battle. Many of them served as courtiers or officers in the royal court and some even became knighted.
The Giddings family crest, a Warwick horse rampant gold, is an emblem that is still used by the Giddings family today. The crest is said to be a representation of the horse that a knight of the family once rode into battle. This is why the Warwick horse rampant gold is such an important part of the Giddings coat of arms.
In summary, the last name Giddings is of English origin and is derived from the words “gydd” and “ing” which mean “god/divine” and “son of”, respectively. It was an occupational surname and has been found in records from as early as the 12th century. The Giddings have a distinguished history and an impressive family crest, still used by some members of the family today.
Order DNA origin analysisGiddings: Where does the name Giddings come from?
The last name Giddings is often seen in North America, particularly the United States and Canada. It is believed to have originated in England, where its earliest written record dates back to the year 1219. The family name is derived from the Olde English gidding, meaning="a path or way".
Today, Giddings is a fairly common last name. Those living in the US tend to be concentrated in the Southwest and Midwest, with large populations in Texas and Michigan. In Canada, it is primarily found in Ontario, with smaller populations in British Columbia and Quebec.
The Giddings family is large and widespread. A search of ancestry records reveals many members throughout North America, all of whom trace their lineages back to England. Many Giddings have settled in communities throughout the US and Canada, and the last name has been around for centuries. From small farming villages to major cities, the name is commonplace and is still popular today.
Variations of the surname Giddings
The surname Giddings is derived from the Old English personal name Gidding, which means 'steadfast son'. This surname has a number of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin.
The variant spelling of Giddings is Giddens. It is also used as a surname in some parts of the world. The most common variants are Giddens, Gidding, Giddins, Giddens, Giddon, Geddings, Githens, Gettings, Gethers, Giddin, Kiddens, and Kiddins. The surname may also be spelled Gitting or Gittin.
Other surnames of the same origin are Guerden, Gerdin, Girden, Girdon, and Girdin. A few other related surnames are Giddy, Gadi, Gudde, Gitted, Goods, and Giddensy.
The Giddings surname is likely to have been derived from the Old English given name Gidinn and gyda, meaning “exalted, or lofty.” The surname may have originally been a topographical name, referring to someone who lived on a high hill or in a high place.
Giddings is a common surname in the United States, with over 40,000 people of this surname listed in the US Census. It is also commonly found in England, Wales, Scotland, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Giddings
- Henry Hall Giddings (1839-1923), United States Congressman and Civil War Major
- Chris Giddings (born 1957), British musician
- Seth Giddings (born 1971), American glaciologist
- John Giddings (born 1952), British music industry executive
- Anthony Giddings (born 1949), British diplomat
- Horace Giddings (1912-2006), American writer and journalist
- Walter Giddings (1843-1909), American Civil War Lieutenant
- Simon Giddings (born 1965), British theatre director
- Reginald Giddings (1845-1909), English cricketer
- Brandon Giddings (born 1974), American basketball player
- Josh Giddings (born 1990), Canadian musician and actor
- Tom Giddings (born 1955), American television producer
- Cal Giddings (born 1967), American film producer and musician
- Olivia Giddings (born 1993), American poet and playwright
- Laura Giddings (born 1963), English equestrian