Surname Gaither - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: An Emotional Odyssey in Discovering Family History and the Gaither Surname’s Significance

Embarking on a genealogy journey with iGENEA, I experienced an emotional rollercoaster of anticipation, euphoria and newfound respect for my family history. The Gaither surname I bear holds newfound gravity, resonating with the rich tapestry of my past, discovered through a revealing DNA test that fundamentally altered my sense of self and familial perception.

I. Gaither

Gaither: What does the surname Gaither mean?

The surname Gaither is of English origin and is derived from the Old English term "gaderian," which means "to gather." Thus, it could potentially signify a gatherer or someone who is responsible for gathering specific things. In the context of medieval England, this could possibly refer to gathering crops or taxes. The surname dates back to the Middle Ages in Yorkshire, England. Early recorded instances of the name include Robert le Gatherer in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. Today, the name is not very common and is mostly found in the United States. Like many surnames, Gaither was likely a professional or occupational name at its inception.

Gaither: Where does the name Gaither come from?

The surname Gaither is of Welsh origin. It originally came from the Welsh word "Gaeth" which means little or small. In Wales where surnames were often derived from personal characteristics, Gaither might have been used to describe someone small or petite. The surname could also originate from the Welsh name "Gwaith", meaning work or effort, perhaps describing someone hard-working.

In the modern era, this surname is found most commonly in the United States, reflecting the migration patterns of Welsh individuals during the past few centuries. The U.S. Census Bureau during the year 2000 had recorded that there were around 15,000 individuals carrying this surname in the nation. It's especially prevalent in regions like Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Kentucky, which historically have had strong Welsh immigrant populations. Outside of the United States, Gaither is also found in low numbers in nations like Canada, England, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Gaither

The surname Gaither is of English origin and is believed to have derived either from an unknown location in England or a personal name. Therefore, you might find various spellings for this surname due to anglicization, regional accents, and phonetic spellings. The most common variants include Gather, Gaither, Geather, and Gayther. Other possible spellings could be Gater, Gaethur, Gatther, and Goither.

In some cases, Gaither could also have evolved as a variant of Gater, a topographical name for someone who lived near a gate, from the Middle English "gat" meaning "gate".

Similarly, surname migration over time and across regions might have resulted in the creation of other variants. However, without substantial historical and genealogical research, it would be difficult to confirm the accuracy of these variants.

Keep in mind that surname spellings could vary widely even within a single document as standardized spelling conventions did not begin appearing until after the Middle Ages. Surnames could be altered based on factors like emigration, regional dialects, or clerical errors.

Famous people with the name Gaither

• Bill Gaither: A renowned gospel music artist, songwriter, and producer.
• Benjy Gaither: A musician and songwriter, the son of the celebrated gospel singer, Bill Gaither.
• Gloria Gaither: A gospel music songwriter, author, and the wife of Bill Gaither.
• Suzanne Gaither Jennings: An accomplished songwriter and the daughter of Bill and Gloria Gaither.
• Danny Gaither: Bill Gaither's brother, also a gospel music singer who performed with him in the Bill Gaither Trio.
• Amy Gaither Hayes: An author, speaker, and singer-songwriter, also the daughter of Bill and Gloria Gaither.
• Carolyn Gaither: Known for her role in the 2016 film "Priceless".
• Joseph Gaither Pratt: A parapsychologist and an early member of the Parapsychological Association.
• James Gaither: A venture capitalist and former managing partner at the law firm Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.
• William Gaither: A professional American football player.
• Ruth Gaither: A politician who served as a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1983 to 1987.
• Carol Gaither: A renowned artist known for her paintings.

Other surnames

GaalGaalayGaalenGaaleyGaalyGaarmannGabbardGabberGabbertGabeGabehartGabelGäbelGabelbergerGabeleGäbeleGäbeleinGabelenzGabelerGäbelerGabellGabelmannGabelsbergerGabeltGäbeltGabeneschGabenischGabenneschGaberle