Surname Gidley - Meaning and Origin
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Gidley: What does the surname Gidley mean?
The surname Gidley is of English origin, derived from a place name. It originates from the village of Gidleigh in the county of Devon, South West England. The village was listed in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of the landholdings in England compiled in 1086 A.D., as "Gidlea," meaning "wood or a glade suitable for making gide or goads." Goads were pointed rods used to direct cattle or other livestock.
The surname might have been given to people who were originally from Gidleigh. Over time, as people moved around, they would be referred to as 'of Gidleigh' or 'from Gidleigh', eventually shortening to just 'Gidley'. Such geographical surnames became a way to identify people who had moved from their place of origin to elsewhere.
It's also worth noting that surname meanings can differ based on regional dialects and changes over time, and may not always reflect the current or popular usage of the name.
Like many surnames, Gidley would have variations including Gidly, Gidleigh, Gidlea, etc. reflecting the changes in spelling over centuries and different regions.
Order DNA origin analysisGidley: Where does the name Gidley come from?
The last name Gidley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, specifically from England. It is believed to be a locational surname, derived from a place name. History traces it back to the Gidley Manor located near Hatherleigh in Devon county. The place name Gidley is derived from the Old English personal name Gydda combined with 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing'.
Surnames became necessary when governments introduced the personal taxation system. In England, this practice of using surnames started in 1066 after the Norman Conquest and they were frequently used by the Normans.
Today, the Gidley surname is common in English-speaking countries, especially in the United States, England, and Australia. In the United States, people with the Gidley surname are primarily found in states like California, Texas, and New York. In England, it is prevalent in counties like Devon, where it originated. Furthermore, the expansion of the British Empire during the colonial periods contributed to the dispersal of the name to other regions like Australia.
Variations of the surname Gidley
The surname Gidley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English personal name 'Gid(e)a' and 'leah', meaning 'wood' or 'clearing'. This name is often associated with a location, specifically Gidleigh in Devon, England.
Variations and alternate spellings of the surname Gidley can include Gidleigh, Gidly, Gydley, Gydly, Gedley, and Gydleigh. It's not uncommon for surnames to have multiple spellings due to a range of factors including regional dialects and phonetic spelling by individuals recording names in official documents.
As for surnames from the same origin, they could follow the common Anglo-Saxon pattern of combining personal names with descriptive or locational terms. This could include names like Ashleigh (from 'ash' and 'leah') or Hadley (from a personal name and 'leah').
However, it's important to note that surname origins can be complex, blending different languages and evolving over time. Therefore, while these variants, spellings, and related surnames are plausible, they may not encompass all possible connections to the surname Gidley.
Famous people with the name Gidley
- Pamela Gidley: An American actress and model known for her roles in films like "Cherry 2000" and "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me".
- Jonathan Gidley: An English cricketer who represented Warwickshire county.
- Jaxon Gidley: Was an Australian professional rugby league footballer.
- John Robert Gidley: An American politician who served as Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York.
- William Gidley: An English first-class cricketer who played for Devon.
- George Gidley King: An Australian theater actor, director, and producer.
- Bobby Gidley II: He is an American race car driver who has competed in the ARCA Menards Series.
- Luke Gidley: An Australian former professional rugby league footballer.
- Clement Gidley: Known as "Captain Clement Gidley," was an English ship's captain, whaler and merchant active in Australia.
- Anna Gidley: A former New Zealand politician of the National Party.
- Rob Gidley: An English cricketer who played for Dorset in the 1990s.
- Scott Gidley: A former Australian professional rugby league footballer.