Surname Gilpen - Meaning and Origin
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Gilpen: What does the surname Gilpen mean?
The last name Gilpen is likely of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from an old personal name. There are various spellings and derivatives of the surname including Gilpin, Gillpin, Gilpinne, and Gillpen. The name was first found in Cumberland, where the Gilpin family held a family seat from very ancient times. The surname itself was first documented in the 12th century and was linked to the occupation of a person who makes or trades thin, flat pieces of metal or wood, known as "gilpins." However, the exact etymology is uncertain. The surname Gilpen signifies the familial or ancestral link to these early days and all who bear it can trace their lineage back to these roots. Among the many notable people with this surname was Bernard Gilpin, an influential clergyman during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Order DNA origin analysisGilpen: Where does the name Gilpen come from?
The surname Gilpen originates from England and has been traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. In particular, it is believed to be derived from the personal name Gilbert combined with the diminutive suffix -kin, becoming Gilbertkin and eventually Gilberton and Gilpin. The name first emerged in Cumberland where the Gilpin family held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.
Today, the surname is considerably rare and is not overly common in any specific region. However, it can be found in slightly higher concentrations in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia due to historical migration patterns. In the United States, the last name is most prevalent in Texas, although even there it is not commonplace. The variations of the surname such as Gilpin and Gilpyn also exist in these regions. Generally, it remains a rather unique surname with a history firmly rooted in England.
Variations of the surname Gilpen
The surname Gilpen, which could have originated in England, has a few possible variants and different spellings. Some of these include Gilpin, Gylpin, Gilpenne, Gylpen, Gylpine, and Gilpyn. The name Gilpen is derived from the Old Norse personal name “Gísl” and the English word “penn,” which means an enclosure or pen.
The surname might have originally been given to someone living near an enclosure, or it might be a topographic name. The Gilpin family seems to have first established themselves in Cumberland and Westmorland in the North of England, specifically in the region of the Lake District. The family later established branches in other areas of England.
Additionally, due to phonetic similarities, it's possible that names such as Gillman, Gillam, Gillham, and others could be linked or confused with Gilpen, but they are generally regarded as separate surnames with different origins. Therefore, these should only be considered as potential connections if other genealogical evidence supports a link.
Famous people with the name Gilpen
- Peri Gilpin: She is a highly successful American actress and television producer. She is perhaps best known for her role as Roz Doyle on the NBC sitcom "Frasier," for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
- Frederick Huntley Gilpin: He was an accomplished 19th-century Irish painter, known for his landscape paintings.
- Jim Gilpin: He is a popular English author who has written many books on finance and corporate governance.
- Joey Gilpin: An English footballer who had a brief professional career in the 1980s.
- Laura Gilpin: An American photographer well-known for her images of Native Americans, especially the Navajo and Pueblo, and Southwestern landscapes.
- Faith Gilpin: An English author. These are the most notable figures with the last name Gilpin. However, many other notable people have had the surname Gilpin in various sectors such as business, music, science, and technology.