Surname Gaddice - Meaning and Origin

Gaddice: What does the surname Gaddice mean?

The last name Gaddice has an interesting history and can be traced back to the early medieval period in England. It is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse languages, and it is thought to mean ‘son of Gaddis’. Gaddis was a very popular first name in England at the time, meaning 'God's friend'.

The name was often used as a nickname for someone who was faithful and loyal to God and could also be used as a way to show that someone had strong Christian beliefs. The granted arms associated with Gaddice are described as "a chevron between three owls". Owls were used in heraldry to represent a wise and watchful individual, which is highly symbolic of the Gaddice name.

The name has evolved over time and is still relatively common in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It may also be seen as a variant of another surname such as Gadduce or Gadick. It is thought that some with the Gaddice surname may have emigrated from England, Scotland, and Ireland during the settlement of the Americas, prompting its spread further around the world.

Gaddice: Where does the name Gaddice come from?

The last name Gaddice is a rare surname with few occurrences in the United States today. Gaddice is an uncommon alternate spelling of the surname Gadzicki, which is believed to be of Polish origin.

During the nineteenth century and earlier, Gaddice was connected to Polish nobility. According to WorldNames, the distribution of this surname is mainly found in eastern continental Europe, with the highest concentration in Poland, and to a lesser degree in Belarus and Germany.

In America, the surname is found in a few scattered states across the country, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Washington. The states of Pennsylvania and Ohio have the highest concentration of Gaddices. There are also a handful Gaddices living in Canada, mainly in Ontario.

Gaddice is a very rare surname, but much like other Polish surnames, the number of those bearing it is slowly growing today. In the twenty-first century, more and more people are beginning to embrace their Polish heritage and thus, are reclaiming their uncommon surnames. If the trend continues, Gaddice is sure to become more common in America in the years to come.

Variations of the surname Gaddice

The surname Gaddice is of Irish origin, with variants and spellings that include Gaddis, Gadic, Gadis, Gaddish and Gadish.

The surname Gaddice is derived from the Gaelic words 'gad,' meaning 'a pointed stake,' and 'uisce,' meaning 'water.' It is an anglicized version of the Irish name Mac Odbaisce, which can be translated to 'son of the pointed-stake-in-the-water.'

Variants of the surname Gaddice have been found in Ireland, Scotland and England over the centuries. Spellings of the surname have changed over time, with some of the older spellings being Gaddys, Gaddis, Gadis and Gadyse.

In Scotland, the surname was known as 'Gadge' or 'Gadgie' and was a common occupational name for a fisher of salmon, using pointed stakes in the water.

The English spelling of the surname is Gaddice, and is found mainly in England and Wales, but it can also be found in Ireland.

Surnames related to Gaddice include MacGadish, MacGadey, McGady and McGuish. The Irish variations, which are derived from the Gaelic form of the name, include Mag Aodbaisce and MhicGhudish.

The most common variant spelling of Gaddice is Gaddis. This spelling is seen in records throughout Scotland and Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also the most common spelling of the surname in the United States, where it is found primarily in states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Famous people with the name Gaddice

• Taurace Gaddice: American football player
• David Gaddice: Actor
• Harriette Gaddice: Australian actress
• Jack Gaddice: Voice actor
• James Gaddice: American tennis player
• Ryan Gaddice: Former Major League Baseball player
• Max Gaddice: Rugby league player
• Courtney Gaddice: Choreographer
• David Gaddice Jr.: Video game artist and designer
• Bill Gaddice: Former professional basketball player

Other surnames

Gaddis