Surname Gelson - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gelson: What does the surname Gelson mean?
The surname Gelson is of Jewish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew personal name "Gershon" meaning "exile," as in the Biblical story where Gershon was the first son of Levi and founder of the Gershonites, an important priestly line in ancient Israel. Therefore, someone named Gelson could potentially trace their lineage back to this priestly line. However, last names can also be adopted or changed throughout history for various reasons, so having the name doesn't automatically imply this lineage. Like many surnames, Gelson was likely used to identify individuals from a particular family or lineage. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation; in England this practice was known as Poll Tax. In many cases, the name can also have different spellings in various countries and languages, which can add to the complexity of its origins and meanings. As with most surnames, to truly understand its meaning for a specific individual or family, one would need to research their particular genealogy.
Order DNA origin analysisGelson: Where does the name Gelson come from?
The surname Gelson appears to be of English origin, possibly a derivative of the name 'Giles' and the suffix '-son' which means 'son of Giles.' Giles was a popular medieval first name introduced by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. However, surnames weren't used consistently until about the 12th or 13th century, so Gelson likely originated around that timeframe.
Today, the name is quite uncommon and is found in small quantities across the world. There are a few concentrations in England and the United States, which aligns with its English origin. However, just because a surname is present in a country doesn't necessarily mean it is common, and there isn't enough data to definitively list where the surname Gelson is most prevalent today. But from available data, it seems most common in England and America. Remember, the frequency and distribution of surnames can evolve over time, influenced by factors such as migration and intermarriage.
Variations of the surname Gelson
The surname Gelson might be a variant of several surnames depending on its origin. If the name is of Jewish Eastern European origin, it could be a variant of Gelsonovitz or Gelsinger. Germanic origin could link it to Gehlsen or Gelsen. If it’s of Danish or Norwegian origin, it could have connections to Gjelsen or Gjelson. Other potential spellings might include Gelston, Gelisin, or Gelsoni.
In addition, Gelson may be a spelling variation or English adaptation of several other names. If the name is Jewish Ashkenazi it might be replaced with surnames such as Gelman, Gellman or Geldman.
It’s also worth noting that someone with the surname Gelson might have ancestors who used patronymic names, in which case the original name might have been something like "Gel's son" or "Gelsonsdatter" (for women in Scandinavian context).
As surnames have evolved over centuries and have been influenced by immigration, language changes, and cultural shifts, it's possible there are many other related names too. Genealogical research, along with DNA testing, can often provide specific information about the origin and variants of a surname.
Famous people with the name Gelson
- Robert Gelson: Robert Gelson is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1986 and played for the Phoenix Suns from 1987-1989.
- Joe Gelson: Joe Gelson is a former professional baseball player who played for the San Francisco Giants from 1983-1986 and the San Diego Padres in 1987.
- Chris Gelson: Chris Gelson is a professional comedian, actor, and former Vegas headliner who is best known for his appearances on Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and MTV2.
- John Gelson: John Gelson is a former professional hockey left wing who played for the Los Angeles Kings from 1973-1976 and then the St. Louis Blues from 1976-1977.
- Dennis Gelson: Dennis Gelson is a former professional tennis player who played on the ATP Tour from 1971-1974. He made it to the semi-finals of the 1974 French Open before retiring.
- Mike Gelson: Mike Gelson is a former professional football fullback who played on the San Francisco 49ers from 1967-1969.
- Sandy Gelson: Sandy Gelson is an actress who is known for her roles in the movies Matchmaker (in which she played the role of mother of the protagonist) and A Christmas Carol.
- Terry Gelson: Terry Gelson is a jazz musician, arranger, and composer best known for his work with renowned jazz musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, and Herbie Hancock.