Gibson is a
Scottish sept, or division, of
Clan Buchanan and
Clan Cameron. From very early times, the family was seated in
Galloway in southwestern
Scotland, which is part of the council area of
Dumfries and Galloway. Variant forms of the name include Gibsoun,
Gipson, Gibbson,
Gibbons,
Gilson, Gibb,
Gibby and more. The
patronymic name originated in
England and means "son of Gibb." This is a shortened form of the name
Gilbert, which was introduced into England by followers of
William the Conqueror after the
Norman Invasion of 1066. The Norman name was originally found as "Gislebert" or "Guilbert," and is composed of the
Old Germanic elements
gisil, meaning "promise" or "noble youth," and
beraht, meaning "bright" or "famous." The Gibson name is found most frequently in the northern counties of England and in Scotland.
Recte et fideliter, or "just and faithful," is the family
motto.
See also