Gibbons is an

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

and

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

surname of

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norm ...

origin. The surname was first found in the counties of

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

and

Mayo Mayo often refers to: * Mayonnaise, often shortened to "mayo" * Mayo Clinic, a medical center in Rochester, Minnesota, United States Mayo may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Mayo Peak, Marie Byrd Land Australia * Division of Mayo, an Aust ...

, in which two distinct families arose shortly after the

Norman invasion of Ireland The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland took place during the late 12th century, when Anglo-Normans gradually conquered and acquired large swathes of land from the Irish, over which the kings of England then claimed sovereignty, all allegedly san ...

during the 12th century. The surname is derived from "Gibb", a short form of the popular

personal name

Gilbert Gilbert may refer to: People and fictional characters * Gilbert (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Gilbert (surname), including a list of people Places Australia * Gilbert River (Queensland) * Gilbert River (South ...

, which was first introduced in the

11th century The 11th century is the period from 1001 ( MI) through 1100 ( MC) in accordance with the Julian calendar, and the 1st century of the 2nd millennium. In the history of Europe, this period is considered the early part of the High Middle Ages. ...

by followers of

William the Conqueror William I; ang, WillelmI (Bates ''William the Conqueror'' p. 33– 9 September 1087), usually known as William the Conqueror and sometimes William the Bastard, was the first House of Normandy, Norman List of English monarchs#House of Norman ...

after the Norman Conquest of England. It was originally derived from the name ''Gislebert'' or ''Gillebert'', which is composed of the Germanic elements ''Gisil'' which means "hostage", "pledge", or "noble youth," and ''berht'', which means "bright" or "famous." Most of those with the surname hail from

and are a branch of the great Burke family, which played a prominent role in the Norman invasion. They were originally known as "MacGibbon Burke" or "Mac Giobúin, son of Gilbert" (de Burgh). They were noted to have integrated into the local culture and customs more completely than other Norman invaders, intermarrying with native noble Irish and becoming "

more Irish than the Irish themselves "More Irish than the Irish themselves" ( ga, Níos Gaelaí ná na Gaeil féin, la, Hiberniores Hibernis ipsis) is a phrase used in Irish historiography to describe a phenomenon of cultural assimilation in late medieval Norman Ireland. History ...

". The family from

is a branch of the aristocratic

FitzGerald dynasty The FitzGerald/FitzMaurice Dynasty is a noble and aristocratic dynasty of Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman and later Hiberno-Norman origin. They have been peers of Ireland since at least the 13th century, and are described in the Annals of the ...

. They were knights descended from the Irish baron John FitzThomas (

FitzGerald The FitzGerald/FitzMaurice Dynasty is a noble and aristocratic dynasty of Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman and later Hiberno-Norman origin. They have been peers of Ireland since at least the 13th century, and are described in the Annals of the ...

), ancestor of The Earls of Desmond and grandson of the Norman baron Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llanstephan. The second branch of the FitzGerald family came to be known as " FitzGibbon" and were given the title of the White Knight, holding territory in southeast Limerick, near

County Cork County Cork ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns a ...

. The other two branches of the family were known as the

Green Knight The Green Knight ( cy, Marchog Gwyrdd, kw, Marghek Gwyrdh, br, Marc'heg Gwer) is a character from the 14th-century Arthurian poem ''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' and the related medieval work ''The Greene Knight''. His true name is revea ...

and the

Black Knight The black knight is a literary stock character who masks his identity and that of his liege by not displaying heraldry. Black knights are usually portrayed as villainous figures who use this anonymity for misdeeds. They are often contrasted with t ...

, both of which kept the FitzGerald name.

Notable people

Abigail Hopper Gibbons Abigail Hopper Gibbons, née Abigail Hopper (December 7, 1801 – January 16, 1893) was an American abolitionist, schoolteacher, and social welfare activist. She assisted in founding and led several nationally known societies for social reform ...

(1801–1893), American schoolteacher, abolitionist, and social welfare activist * Alan Gibbons (born 1953), English writer * Arthur T. Gibbons (1903-1986), American businessman and politician *

Beth Gibbons Beth Gibbons (born 4 January 1965) is an English singer and songwriter. She is the singer and lyricist for the band Portishead, which has released three albums. She released an album with Rustin Man, '' Out of Season'', in 2002, followed by an ...

(born 1965), English singer and songwriter *

Billy Gibbons William Frederick Gibbons (born December 16, 1949) is an American musician who is the guitarist and lead singer of the rock band ZZ Top. He began his career in the band the Moving Sidewalks, which recorded a full-length album entitled, ''Flas ...

(born 1949), American rock musician * Brian Gibbons (born 1988), American ice hockey player *

Carroll Gibbons Carroll Richard Gibbons (January 4, 1903 – May 10, 1954) was an American-born pianist, bandleader and popular composer who made his career primarily in England during the British dance band era. Image of Gibbons from the W.D. & H.O. Wills ...

(1903–1954), American-born British bandleader *

Cedric Gibbons Austin Cedric Gibbons (March 23, 1890 – July 26, 1960) was an Irish-American art director for the film industry. He also made a significant contribution to motion picture theater architecture from the 1930s to 1950s. Gibbons designed the ...

(1893–1960), American art director *

Christopher Gibbons Christopher Gibbons ( bapt. 22 August 1615 – 20 October 1676) was an English composer and organist of the Baroque period. He was the second son, and first surviving child of the composer Orlando Gibbons. Life and career Background Chri ...

(1615–1676), English composer, son of Orlando *

Conor Gibbons Conor Gibbons is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for St Eunan's and the Donegal county team. Playing career Gibbons has won three Donegal Senior Football Championships with his club: in 2009, 2012 and 2014. He made a substitute appeara ...

, Irish Gaelic footballer * D. Barry Gibbons (1929-1998), American politician *

Dave Gibbons David Chester Gibbons (born 14 April 1949) is an English comics artist, writer and sometimes letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries ''Watchmen'' and the Superman story "For the Man ...

(born 1949), English comic book artist and writer *

David Gibbons (politician) Sir David Gibbons, KBE, (15 June 1927 – 30 March 2014) was a Bermudian politician and businessman. He served as Finance Minister and later as Premier for the United Bermuda Party. He had also served as a member of the Parliament of Bermuda. ...

(1927–2014), Prime Minister of Bermuda * Edward Gibbons (1568 – before 1650), English musician, brother of Orlando * Edward Stanley Gibbons (1840–1913), philatelist and founder of Stanley Gibbons Ltd. * Elizabeth Joan Gibbons (1902-1988), British botanist * Ellis Gibbons (1573–1603), English composer, brother of Orlando * Elsie Gibbons (1903–2003), Canadian politician *

Euell Gibbons Euell Theophilus Gibbons (September 8, 1911 – December 29, 1975) was an outdoorsman and early health food advocate, promoting eating wild foods during the 1960s. Early career Gibbons was born in Clarksville, Texas, on September 8, 1911 ...

(1911–1975), outdoorsman and proponent of natural diets * Franco Gibbons, Palauan politician * Frederick Gibbons, American psychologist *

Gary Gibbons Gary William Gibbons (born 1 July 1946) is a British theoretical physicist. Education Gibbons was born in Coulsdon, Surrey. He was educated at Purley County Grammar School and the University of Cambridge, where in 1969 he became a researc ...

(born 1946), British theoretical physicist * Sir George Christie Gibbons, KC (1848–1918), Canadian lawyer and businessman * Gillian Gibbons (born 1953), British woman arrested in Sudan for naming a teddy bear Muhammad *

Grinling Gibbons Grinling Gibbons (4 April 1648 – 3 August 1721) was an Anglo-Dutch sculptor and wood carver known for his work in England, including Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace, St Paul's Cathedral and other London churches, Petworth House and othe ...

(1648–1721), master wood carver *

Gwilym Gibbons Gwilym Meredith Lloyd Gibbons, (born 8 April 1971) is a British arts leader who is notable for leading the political struggle, fundraising and development of the £13.5m Mareel in Shetland, the UK's most northerly music, cinema and creative indus ...

(born 1971), British arts leader *

Herbert Adams Gibbons Herbert Adams Gibbons (April 8, 1880 – August 7, 1934) was an American journalist who wrote about international politics and European colonialism during the early 20th century. He is best known for his books, ''The New Map of Asia'', ''The N ...

(1880–1934), American journalist * Herbert Gladstone Coe Gibbons (1905–1963), English cricketer *

Hope Gibbons Hopeful Gibbons (4 October 1856 – 25 June 1947), known as Hope Gibbons, was a New Zealand businessman, philanthropist and local politician. Born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia on 4 October 1856 he arrived in New Zealand in 1862. He s ...

(1856–1947), New Zealand businessman *

Ian Gibbons (musician) Ian Gibbons (18 July 1952 – 1 August 2019) was an English keyboardist, most notable for playing with The Kinks. Gibbons began playing the accordion at the age of nine, playing in the school band, and solo at music festivals, competitions an ...

(1952–2019), English keyboardist, member of The Kinks *

Ibedul Gibbons Ibedul Yutaka Miller Gibbons (17 January 1944 – 4 November 2021) was a Palauan activist. * * He was the high chief of Koror and the Chairman of the Council of Chiefs. Life Gibbons was born in Palau in 1944. He worked as a United States Arm ...

(1944–2021), Palauan chief *

J. Whitfield Gibbons J. Whitfield "Whit" Gibbons (born October 5, 1939) is an American herpetologist, author, and educator. He is Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, and former Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education program at the Savannah R ...

(born 1939), American herpetologist *

James Gibbons James Cardinal Gibbons (July 23, 1834 – March 24, 1921) was a senior-ranking American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as Apostolic Vicar of North Carolina from 1868 to 1872, Bishop of Richmond from 1872 to 1877, and as ninth ...

(1834–1921), Archbishop of Baltimore, 1877–1921, and Cardinal *

James Gibbons (footballer) James Andrew Gibbons (born 16 March 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for club Cambridge United, on loan from club Bristol Rovers. A graduate of the Port Vale youth team, he enjoyed a short loan spell at ...

(born 1998), English footballer *

Jay Gibbons Jay Jonathan Gibbons (born March 2, 1977) is an American former professional baseball right fielder in Major League Baseball. He played college baseball at California State University, Los Angeles and in the Major Leagues for the Baltimore Oriole ...

(born 1977), American baseball player * Jean D. Gibbons (born 1938), American statistician * Jim Gibbons (disambiguation) * John C. Gibbons (died 2021), Palauan politician *

John Gibbons John Michael Gibbons (born June 8, 1962) is an American former professional baseball player and former manager of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Gibbons briefly played in the Major Leagues as a catcher with the New York Me ...

(born 1962), American baseball player and manager *

John H. Gibbons (scientist) John Howard "Jack" Gibbons (January 15, 1929 – July 17, 2015) was an American scientist, nuclear physicist, and internationally recognized expert in technologies for energy efficiency and energy resource conservation. He served as the assistant ...

(1929–2015), American scientist and Whitehouse advisor *

John Joseph Gibbons John Joseph Gibbons (December 8, 1924 – December 9, 2018) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and later a partner at the law firm of Gibbons P.C. After service ub the US Navy he began ...

(1924–2018), American lawyer and judge * John Lloyd Gibbons (1837–1919), British politician * June and Jennifer Gibbons (1963–, 1963–1993), identical twins known as "The Silent Twins" since they only communicated with each other *

Leeza Gibbons Leeza Kim Gibbons (born March 26, 1957) is an American talk show host. She is best known as a correspondent and co-host for ''Entertainment Tonight'' (1984–2000) as well as for having her own syndicated daytime talk show, ''Leeza'' (1993–20 ...

(born 1957), American television personality * Lile Gibbons, American politician * Lyman Gibbons (1808–1879), Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court * Nolan Gibbons (2005–2020), American teen singer and member of Acapop! KIDS * Norah Gibbons (1952–8 April 2020), Irish children's advocate and social worker *

Orlando Gibbons Orlando Gibbons ( bapt. 25 December 1583 – 5 June 1625) was an English composer and keyboard player who was one of the last masters of the English Virginalist School and English Madrigal School. The best known member of a musical fami ...

(1583–1625), English composer * Paul Gibbons (born 1971), New Zealand pole vaulter *

Peter Gibbons Peter Gibbons (born July 9, 1962) is a Canadian former stock car racing driver. He was the champion of the CASCAR Super Series in 1999 and 2000. Racing career Gibbons competed in 81 CASCAR Super Series events, with 17 wins, 40 Top-5, 59 Top-10 ...

(born 1962), Canadian racing driver * Robert Gibbons (disambiguation) *

Sam Gibbons Sam Melville Gibbons (January 20, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was an American politician from the state of Florida, who served in the Florida State House of Representatives, Florida State Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. He represe ...

(1920–2012), American politician and distinguished World War II Veteran * Scott Gibbons (born 1969), American composer *

Shay Gibbons Shay may refer to: People Shay is an Irish Gaelic name, a variant of the name Shea. It is derived from Seamus, which is anglicized from Ó Séaghdha. Shay is also a Hebrew unisex name, meaning gift, deriving as a variation of Shai. Mononym * Shay ...

(1929–2006), an Irish international footballer * Simon Gibbons, Professor of Phytochemistry at the School of Pharmacy, University of London * Stella Gibbons (1902–1989), English author * Steve Gibbons (disambiguation) * Thomas Gibbons (disambiguation) * William Gibbons (congressman) (1726–1800), American lawyer and delegate to the Continental Congress * William Conrad Gibbons (1926–2015), American military historian * William Ernest Gibbons (1898–1976), British politician * William M. Gibbons (1919–1990), American lawyer and railroad executive

Fictional characters

* Augustus Eugene Gibbons, a fictional character portrayed by

Samuel L. Jackson Samuel Leroy Jackson (born December 21, 1948) is an American actor and producer. One of the most widely recognized actors of his generation, the films in which he has appeared have collectively grossed over $27 billion worldwide, making him ...

in the ''xXx'' trilogy * Gibbons, a fictional character in

The Adventures of Tintin ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (french: Les Aventures de Tintin ) is a series of 24 ''bande dessinée'' albums created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the pen name Hergé. The series was one of the most popular European comi ...

* Peter Gibbons, a character from the popular cult movie, ''

Office Space ''Office Space'' is a 1999 American black comedy film written and directed by Mike Judge. It satirizes the worklife of a typical 1990s software company, focusing on a handful of individuals weary of their jobs. It stars Ron Livingston, Jennifer ...

'' * Portia Gibbons, a fictional character in ''

The Mighty B! ''The Mighty B!'' (stylized in all caps) is an American animated television series created by Amy Poehler, Cynthia True, and Erik Wiese for Nickelodeon. The series centers on Bessie Higgenbottom, an ambitious Honeybee girl scout who believes ...

'' Gibbons may also be used as a first name. Notable people with the name include: * Gibbons Bagnall (1719–1800), English poetical writer

References

{{Reflist English-language surnames