SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "G"

[Gale], [Gallagher], [Galloway], [Gardener], [Garth], [Gates], [Gaunt], [Gavin], [Gee], [George], [Gerber], [Gibbs], [Gifford], [Gil], [Gilbert], [Gill], [Gilmore], [Glazier], [Glen], [Gloucester], [Glover], [Glynn], [Godfrey], [Goffe], [Goldsmith], [Goodman], [Goodwin], [Gordon], [Gore], [Goss], [Gough], [Gower], [Graham], [Granger], [Grant], [Greaves], [Green], [Grey], [Griffin], [Griffiths], [Groom], [Grossman], [Groves], [Gummer], [Gwynne]

GALE - The early Gaelic word "Gael" is thought to denote a foreigner or stranger and might suggest a source for the modern surname, having attached itself to an outsider who settled in a new town or village.

GALLAGER - The Irish/Gaelic foundation of the modern name is thought to derive from the early forename "Gallchobhair" which meant "lover of strangers or foreigners"

GALLOWAY - Possibly adopted by those who originate from the region in Scotland and might have a similar source from Gale, as shown above.

GARDENER - A surname possibly associated with an employment role or household position which has later attached itself to the post-holder and his immediate family. Presumably the variation GARDINER also has similar origins, with the name GARNER being a contracted version of the same.

GARTH - The Viking Norse word "Gardr" was used to describe a fenced enclosure close to a house or settlement and is a likely source for the later word "garden".

GATES - The surname is thought to have originated from "Gata", the Viking word meaning "road".

GAUNT - An occupational title, a Gaunter, existed within the historic leather trades and might be the root for the modern day name, albeit in a contracted form.

GAVIN - Although generally associated with a first name, it is occasionally used as a family name. In Welsh the name means "white hawk".

GEE - A variation of this, Geeson, is known to exist through to the present day and would suggest that at some time the Gee surname was used as a first name 

GEORGE - Possibly originating from the Christian Saint who mythically battled the Dragon and whose emblem was adopted by the European Crusader armies during their travels to the Holy Lands, in order to free the city of Jerusalem from its Islamic occupiers. The more unusual GEORGESON is a variation of the name, reflecting the relationship between father and son.

GERBER - Although a fairly rare family name, the Anglo Saxon word "Gerbur" described a farmer and is the likely root for such a surname.   

GIBBS - Thought to be a corruption of the original Norman name Gilbert which came to Britain during the 11th Century, contracted possibly to GIB and which has been alternatively adopted as both Gibbon and Gibson.

GIFFORD - The family name which was common during the medieval period is thought to derive from the Germanic name "Gebhardt" which is thought to mean hardy gift. Alternatively, it may just as easily have its origins in the early French word "Giffard".

GIL - Many modern day surnames, particularly when prefixed with these 3 letters, tend to denote an Irish/Gaelic heritage and are are said to derive from the word "Giolla" meaning devotee or follower of a specific saint. A similar origin can be applied to common family names which begin with the 3 letter prefix "KIL". This origin may explain the source of the peculiarly Scottish title "Gillie" who was thought to be a servant. However, the Viking Norse word "Gjel" identifying a small ravine or valley is thought to be the source for the modern day name "Gill".

GILBERT - A Norman name which came to Britain during the 11th Century with the forces of Duke William of Normandy.

GILL - Although it could simply be a contracted form of the forename Gilbert or Giles, the family name might just as easily have its origins in the word for a geographical feature, as in a glen or ravine or possibly a waterfall, being derived from the Norse word "Gjel".

GILMORE - Once again the name seems to have its early foundation in its "Gil" association with being identified as a devotee or follower, in this case of the Virgin Mary.

GLAZIER - Basic glass production was undertaken by the artisans of Rome and in modern times this particular surname is directly associated with those that handle and fit this basic building material.

GLEN - The modern surname almost certainly originates from an individuals association with a particular geographical location, as "of the glen" or "from the glen" and which has become attached to that specific person or family.

GLOUCESTER - A town or city called Gloucester was known about in the 6th Century and may simply have attached itself to residents of or travellers from that place.

GLOVER - A craftsman involved with the early medieval leather industries, when the production of heavy leather gauntlets, gloves, etc was commonplace. Certain historic cities in Britain are known to have had "Gloverstones" a site which marked the line between the authority of the Crown and local civic authorities. The obvious importance of the Glovers Guilds within local communities throughout Britain is simply reinforced by the naming of such an important landmark. The word "Glover" is thought to have originated from the Anglo Saxon word "Glof".

GLYNN - This surname, including its variant Glyn is thought to derive from the Welsh word for "valley"

GODFREY - Possibly derived from the Germanic name Godefrei which is thought to denote a godly and peaceful person. Commonly used as a Christian name, which might explain its later use as a family name.

GOFFE - This fairly unusual family name is thought to stem from the Breton French word "Goff" which described a "smith" or a skilled metalworker and is still used as a family name in its original form GOFF.

GOLDSMITH - Along with their fellow metalworkers (Blacksmiths and Silver smiths) these particular craftsmen have often seen their full occupational title contracted to the much more mundane modern day surname "Smith". Whether or not the "smith" suffix is in any way related to the practice of smelting metal ores is unclear, but is one possible explanation for its later origins.

GOODMAN - There are 2 possible and equally plausible explanations for the derivation of this name. The first being, that it simply reflects the personal standing of an individual within his own community and his status or renown as a "Good Man". Alternatively, it may well originate from an individuals religious beliefs or his employment by the Christian Church, whereby he was known as "Gods Man". Variations on the theme include the family name GOODE, etc.

GOODWIN - This name is thought to be able to find its origins in Anglo Saxon Britain, where the old English Godwine was said to mean "Good Friend". According to some records, King Harold's father was called Godwine, further reinforcing its perceived early history.

GORDON - Thought to originate from the time of the Norman Conquests and a specific individual called Richer de Gordun or Richard "of Gordun" (possibly denoting a place or region)

GORE - The early English word "Gara" was said to describe a triangular plot of land and the person who owned or worked the land may have inherited the term as a personal or family name, being corrupted over time to its present form.

GOSS - This surname prefix is thought to originate from the Old English word for "goose". The word or name "GOSSARD" is said to describe someone who raises or cares for Geese.

GOUGH - It has been suggested that the name derives from the Welsh word "Goch" or possibly "Coch" which is thought to mean "the red one" or "the one with a red complexion".

GOWER - Thought to be a contraction of the Welsh word "Gowerr" which means "Pure"

GRAHAM - The "ham" suffix could possibly derive from the Anglo Saxon word which identified a civil settlement. In the Gaelic language The "Gra" prefix would appear to indicate something or someone that is grey in colour.

GRANGER - An occupational title which identified a farmer, who owned or lived on a "grange". The variant GRAINGER is said to identify a "farm agent or bailiff, giving the 2 similar sounding names slightly different origins.

GRANT - Used occasionally as a first name, but usually as a family name. A Welsh king called Grant was recorded from around 710AD. It's suggested that the name derives from a Norman word describing something or someone which is "big and imposing".

GREAVES - A source for this family name is thought to be the Anglo Saxon word "Groefe" which meant thicket or shrub and which might have attached itself to an individual who lived near such a feature or who was involved with it in an occupational way. Alternatively, the name might originate from the occupational title of GRIEVE which was said to have identified a Sheriff or Bailiff. A variant of these names might includes GRAVES.

GREEN - A modern day surname which is thought to have arrived in Britain with one of the many immigrant communities who have settled here and is possibly derived from the continental word Grun or Gruen. Alternatively, it may simply have originated from the personal suffix "of the green" or from a noble family's title or insignia.

GREY - Once again this may be a modern day surname which owes it influence to foreign migrants who brought the continental word "Gris" with them when they settled in Britain.

GRIFFIN - A northern British leader called "Griffin" was recorded in 1046AD. The name is thought to derive from the Welsh/Celtic word for "strong lord". The GRIFFIN was a mythological creature with the body of a Lion and the head and wings of an Eagle.

GRIFFITHS - An anglicized surname which is synonymous with the principality of Wales and thought to derive from the early Welsh word "Grippiud". The forename Gruffudd was adopted by a number of Welsh princes throughout the centuries and the habit of attaching their fathers name to their own, eventually led to its use as a common surname (ie Llewelyn ap Gruffudd = Llewelyn son of Gruffudd)

GROOM - Commonly associated with someone who "cares for horses", it is entirely possible that the name has simply attached itself to an individual who was specifically employed for that task

GROSSMAN - From the German meaning "Big one", the most notable modern day bearer of the name is the television food critic Lloyd Grossman. The prefix "Gross" is commonly used to denote something which is extraordinarily big or oversized.

GROVES - A family name which is thought to be derived from a location, originating from the early English word "Graf" which identified an area which was lush with tree's and shrubs, etc.

GUMMER - Thought to derive from an occupational title for a man who manufactured and maintained wood saws.

GWYNNE - This is another surname which is thought to have a Welsh origin, based on the early word "Gwyn" meaning "Fair" or "of fair complexion" and was said to have been used as a first name in its earliest form. This early name is also thought to be the source of the modern forenames Wyn, Wynn or Gwynneth

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