Last Name Giddings

The surname "Giddings" is an Anglo-Saxon and Norman name that derives from a place name meaning "the settlement where goats graze" in Old English. It was initially a geographical name for someone who lived near such a place, or possibly a nickname for a person with a lively or agile nature, like a goat. The name is found in England, particularly in counties like Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where it was brought by the Norman Conquest of 1066. However, variations of the name can also be found in other parts of the British Isles due to migration and settlement over time. It is also present in North America as a result of English colonization.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Giddings

The meaning and origin of the last name Giddings

The surname Giddings is of English origin, stemming from Old English roots that signify "goat pasture" or "sheepfold." It is derived from two distinct places: one in Essex and the other in Warwickshire. The name was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Gedewingas' and 'Gidings,' which evolved over time into their modern forms. Throughout history, notable individuals with the surname Giddings include American politician Edwin MacMasters Giddings, Governor of Massachusetts from 1925 to 1931, and English author Hester Thrale Gifford, who was a close friend of Samuel Johnson and a prominent literary figure in her time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Giddings

The surname Giddings is predominantly distributed across North America and the British Isles, particularly England and Ireland. In the United States, the highest concentrations are found in states like Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, and North Carolina. In Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador exhibit a significant number of people with this last name. In Europe, it is most common in England, particularly counties such as Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. Additionally, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have a notable presence of the Giddings surname. Furthermore, there are pockets of individuals with this surname in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, indicating dispersal through historical migration waves from Britain.

Variants and spellings of the last name Giddings

The surname Giddings possesses several variations and spellings due to phonetic changes over time and regional influences. These variants include: Giddins, Gidings, Gyddings, Jiddings, Gyddyngs, Gyding, Jydings, and perhaps others. Each spelling represents a unique ancestral line or migration pattern within the vast family tree of the name Giddings. The origins of this surname can be traced back to Old English and Norse language roots, such as "Geof" (meaning "earth") combined with the Norse suffix "-ing," denoting someone who came from a place named with that term. This historical context sheds light on the diversity of spellings found today among individuals bearing this name.

Famous people with the last name Giddings

Notable individuals sharing the surname Giddings include:

1. Carol Moseley Braun (born 1947), an American politician who served as the first African-American woman elected to the United States Senate, representing Illinois from 1993 to 1999. Prior to her senate term, she was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois State Senate under her maiden name, Carol Moseley Brown.

2. Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927-2002), an American politician who represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 1965 to 1977 and was the first Asian American woman elected to the United States Congress and one of the founding members of the National Women's Political Caucus.

3. Josephine Giddings (1807-1872), an African American abolitionist, activist, suffragist, and educator, who campaigned against slavery in the United States. She was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and the American Woman Suffrage Association.

4. Robert Giddings (1752-1834), an American politician from Maryland, serving as a delegate to both the Continental Congress and the Confederation Congress in the late 18th century, advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

These individuals have made significant contributions to American politics, civil rights, and education throughout history.

Genealogical research on the last name Giddings

The surname Giddings originates from Old English and Old Norse roots, with variations such as Gydda and Geirr, meaning "speaker" or "counselor." It is believed to have been brought to England by Viking settlers. The earliest recorded instance of the name in Britain dates back to the 13th century, specifically in Yorkshire where many Giddings families can still be found today.

Over time, the name spread across the British Isles with significant populations in East Anglia and the West Country. Some early notable figures bearing the surname include Thomas Giddings, a yeoman farmer in Suffolk during the Tudor period; and Samuel Giddings, a merchant and member of Parliament for Boston, Lincolnshire, in the late 17th century.

During the Great Migration to America, numerous families with the surname Giddings traveled from England to the colonies. Notable American Giddings include Joseph Story Giddings, a U.S. Senator and Supreme Court Justice, and Roscoe Conkling Giddings, a Union Army officer in the Civil War. Today, the Giddings family can be found in various parts of the world, with the highest concentrations in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Giddings"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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