Surname Guise - Meaning and Origin

Guise: What does the surname Guise mean?

The last name Guise is a topographical surname, referring to someone who lived close to a particular kind of physical feature. It is derived from the French word guise meaning "a shape, form, or line". The name likely denoted a person who lived by a prominent feature of land, such as a mountain, a meander in a river, a hill, a bend in a road, or a prominent tree or bush. It could also have referred to an artificial feature, such as a wall or fence.

The Guise surname was first recorded in England in 1220, when Walter de la Guise was noted as having held various estates in Northamptonshire. In 1348, bailiff Simon de la Guise was recorded as holding estates in Suffolk. In Scotland, the first record of the name was a grant of land to Hugo de Guise in 1291.

The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered to Conyers Place Guise of Tunbridge Wells in the county of Kent, England. Describes the coat of arms as Azure three lion heads erased Argent over all a bend Gules. Crest out of a red chapeau, a wolfs head sable.

The surname Guise is still common in England, particularly in the East of the country. In America, both Guise and its variant forms are common in all states, particularly in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.

Guise: Where does the name Guise come from?

The surname Guise is most prevalent among English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is estimated that there are over 11,000 individuals bearing the name in the United States alone.

The origin of the name Guise can be traced back to France, though its exact origin is uncertain. It is believed to be derived either from the French word ‘guise’ (meaning ‘appearance’) or the German term ‘Giese’ (meaning ‘the leader’ or ‘controller’).

In the United States, the name is particularly common in states such as Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. It is also relatively common in the Midwest, particularly in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.

In the United Kingdom, the name is most common in the Midlands, particularly in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Hampshire. It is also seen with some frequency in northeast England.

In Canada, the name is most common in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. It is relatively rare in the other provinces.

The surname Guise has been anglicized to a number of other variations, including Guice, Guese, Guys, and Guse.

Variations of the surname Guise

The surname Guise is spelled in numerous variants and can be derived from several different sources. Variations include Guice, Gise, Gisse, Gysse, and Gyss.

The surname is believed to be of Norman origin as a locational surname, derived from the hamlet of Guise near the town of St. Lo in Normandy. The St. Lo area was a former fief administered by an influential Norman noble family of the same name with connections to about 20 places in France. This family was known as the Counts of Guise and was associated with the famous House of Guise.

The House of Guise was a powerful clan of French aristocrats from the 1500’s to the 1600’s. They were a powerful part of the Catholic faction that opposed the Protestant Huguenots in France. The House of Guise was also involved in court politics and were an important family in the court of France's Henry III.

The surname Guise can also be derived from the numerous places and hamlets in France called Guise. It is believed that residents of these communities adopted the surnames based on the title of their place of origin.

The surnames of Guise, Gise, Gisse and Gyss may be etymologically related. Gysse may have developed as a nickname surname from the Middle English word "gysse," meaning "guise."

Variants of the surname Guise can also be linked to other spelling and surname variants such as Gys, Gyse, Geys, Guizes, Gyszo, Guiseppe, Giusi, Guizot, Guit, Guizi, Guizou, Geyse and Gizzi.

Famous people with the name Guise

• John Guise, an Australian politician and former Member of the Parliament of Victoria
• Isabella of Guise, French noblewoman and Duchess of Guise by marriage
• Francis, Duke of Guise, French military leader and Marshal of France
• Henri I, Duke of Guise, French military leader and member of the powerful House of Guise
• Louis II, Duke of Guise, French nobleman and military commander
• Louis III, Duke of Guise, French nobleman and military commander during the later Italian wars
• Claude of Guise, French nobleman, brother of Louis II
• Catherine of Guise, French noblewoman, wife of King James V of Scotland
• John Guise, English politician and Member of Parliament
• William Guise, English politician and Member of Parliament

Other surnames

GuiscardGuissane