Last Name Gibert

The surname Gibert is of Germanic origin. It derives from the personal name Gerbert, a derivative of Gero, which means spear or warrior. This name was popularized by Saint Gerbert d'Aurillac, also known as Gerbertaus Auriliacensis or Gerbert of Aurillac, a renowned 10th-century scholar and statesman from France. Over time, the surname has been adopted in various forms across Europe, including Gilbert, Jehbert, and Joubert, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gibert

The meaning and origin of the last name Gibert

The surname Gibert is derived from the given name Gilbert, which is of Germanic origin. Gilbert comes from the Old High German elements "gisil" meaning "hostage" or "pledge" and "berht" meaning "bright" or "famous." In Old French, it was transformed into Gilberte for a female name and Gibert for a male name. The surname Gibert emerged as a way to identify individuals within families, particularly during the Middle Ages when population growth increased and it became necessary to distinguish family members from one another. The name became popular in various countries including England, France, and Spain. Today, it is a relatively common surname found across Europe and its diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gibert

The surname Gilbert is predominantly found in Western European countries, particularly France and England. In France, it originates from the Old French "Gisilbert," meaning "battle-bright" or "brave as a spear." It is also a common name in Belgium due to historical ties with France. In England, it comes from the Anglo-Saxon "Giselbeorht," meaning "pledge-bright." The Norman conquest of England in 1066 led to an influx of individuals bearing the name Gilbert. Over time, emigration and colonization led to the dispersal of the surname to other parts of the world, including North America, where it is particularly common in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., it is most prevalent in states with significant French-Canadian populations, such as Louisiana and Maine.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gibert

The surname Gilbert has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription over time and across languages. Some common variants include:

1. Giblet: A variation that may have arisen due to misinterpretation or simplification of the original spelling.
2. Jibault, Jehbaut: Old French forms of Gilbert.
3. Joavel, Giaulet, Giaoulot, Jaule, Giauolo: Italian, Spanish, and Provençal derivatives of Gilbert.
4. Gelbert, Gelbart: German variants of Gilbert.
5. Jibbert, Jilbert, Gyllberd, Gyllbert, Gilberd: Old Norse, Middle English, or Anglo-Saxon adaptations of Gilbert.
6. Gibberd, Gibert, Giberte: Modern English variations of Gilbert.
7. Giobbe, Guibaldo, Giubbé, Giuvé, Jubault, Juval: Italian, French, and Provençal dialectal forms of Gilbert.
8. Jubbert, Gyburt: Old French and Middle English diminutive forms of Gilbert.
9. Gibson, Gibbs, Gipson, Gibsen, Gibbens: English surnames that originated from the nickname "the son of Gilbert" or similar variations.
10. De Gibello, Del Gobbo, Giavarone, Jabbour, Dzhaborov, Dzhabarov, Jabbarov, Jabbar: Italian, Russian, Arabic, and Hebrew variants of the surname Gilbert.

Famous people with the last name Gibert

Prominent individuals sharing the surname Gilbert include:

1. Gilbert K. Chesterton (1874-1936), an English writer, poet, philosopher, and lay theologian, known for his mystery novels featuring priest-detective Father Brown.
2. Sylvester Graham (1794-1851), a Presbyterian minister in the United States who developed the Graham diet as part of his moral reform efforts, which included whole grains and abstinence from alcohol and coffee.
3. Jean Gilbert (1897-1962), a German composer of film music. He is considered one of the most important composers of early German silent film scores.
4. Edward Gilbert (born 1950), an English actor, best known for his role as Police Constable Peter 'Blue' Boyden in the British police drama series The Bill.
5. Yvonne Gilbert (1937-2022), an American voice actress and singer, who provided the voices for many animated characters, including Daisy Duck, Cinderella, and Minnie Mouse.
6. Neil Gilbert (born 1941), a British film historian and documentary maker, best known as the author of The Golden Horde: A Guide to British Crime Films 1950-1973.

Genealogical research on the last name Gibert

The surname Gibert originates from France and is derived from the Old German name Gibhard, which means "brave heart." The name became popular during the Middle Ages, particularly among the Normans who invaded England in 1066. In France, the name was common among the nobility and clergy.

One notable bearer of the name was Saint Gilbert of Sempringham (died 1189), an English monk who founded the Gilbertine Order of monks and nuns. The surname also spread to other European countries due to migration and conquest, with significant populations in Spain, Italy, and Belgium.

In England, Gibert is a rare name today but can still be found in various regions such as Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the United States, the surname became more common due to immigration from France and Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries. Notable American bearers of the name include John Gibert (1804-1865), a lawyer and politician who served as the mayor of San Francisco, and Henry Gilbert (1923-2009), an American writer and literary critic.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Gibert"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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