Surname Gedwill - Meaning and Origin

Gedwill: What does the surname Gedwill mean?

Gedwill is a variant spelling of the German surname Gedwill. It is a habitational surname that is believed to have originated from locations connected with the medieval city of Gedwill in southern Germany. It is derived from the Old High German words "gedheil" meaning "to pledge" and "wil" meaning "will" or "desire". The combination of these two words would translate to something similar to "one who pledges his will", or alternatively, "one who pledges allegiance".

Gedwill is believed to have been mainly borne by people who lived in and around the city of Gedwill during the Middle Ages. Gedwill is thought to have been an important trading city, indicated by its name which suggests strong loyalty to those who swore allegiance to the city.

Gedwill is not a common surname today and appears to have largely died out. It can still be found in some modern German families that can trace their lineage back to the city of Gedwill, as well as a small number of individuals with this surname who can be found in the United States and other countries around the world. Despite its rarity, the name Gedwill is a testament to a long and proud history of loyal people who developed and maintained a strong sense of unity and allegiance within the city of Gedwill.

Gedwill: Where does the name Gedwill come from?

Gedwill is a relatively rare surname, most commonly found today in eastern Europe and parts of Germany. It originated in Austria in the 1700s, most likely having derived from a mid-Saxon version of the name ‘Gift’ or ‘Godwill’. It is thought to have been used by a noble family as their coat of arms.

The name is most common in the former German states of Thuringia, Hesse, Bavaria and Saxony. Jewish communities also adopted the name, which could be found in Prussia and other areas of eastern Europe. Today there are pockets of Gedwills across Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Russia.

In the United Kingdom there are relatively few Gedwills, with the majority of people with this surname living in England and Scotland. In the United States, Gedwills are most common on the east coast, with the largest concentration in New York.

Outside of Europe, Gedwills can be found in places such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa where European immigrants settled in the 1900s. Generally, Gedwills have spread across the world, with descendants of the original Austrian family likely to be found in almost any global location.

Variations of the surname Gedwill

The surname Gedwill is of English origin, and can be found in the 14th century records of various regions in the British Isles. It is a patronymic form of the pre-7th-century English personal name Gedde, which is derived from the Old English 'gadde', meaning 'goat'.

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Gedwill include the following: Gedwell, Gedwall, Geddell, Gedwill, Gedwells, Gedwalle, Gedwells, Gedwill, Gedwilla, Geddall, Geddle, Gedall, Gedde, Gedwels, Gedwelles, Geal, Geall, Geldewell, Geldaus, Geddys, Gaudys, Geldel, and Geldyng.

It should be noted that the variant spelling of Geddall was popular among early settlers in America. In some families, it has been passed down to the present day.

The name Gedwill has also sometimes been spelled as Gaddall, Gaddell, Gaddill, Gaddils, Gedlof, Gedell, Gedlake, Gedley, Geddoe, Geddis, Geddam, Gediewell, Gedias, Gediea, Gedies, and Gedliff.

There are no Saints by the name Gedwill, and the name has no branch of any religious order.

While the surname Gedwill may be found in many existing records and directories, some of its variations have become quite rare. Some have failed to survive the centuries and no longer exist in any form. Nevertheless, this surname continues to exist and is found amongfdescendants of Gedwill families in different countries today.

Famous people with the name Gedwill

• Abigail Gedwill: American contemporary artist, producer and songwriter.
• Robert Gedwill: German paleontologist and geologist who lived during the 19th century.
• Andy Gedwill: American country musician and songwriter.
• Joe Gedwill: English professional football player and scout.
• Ryan Gedwill: American actor and voiceover artist.
• Kelly Gedwill: Australian writer, artist and creative thinker.
• Steven Gedwill: American technological innovator and serial entrepreneur.
• John Gedwill: English painter of the 18th century, best known for his portraits of English nobility.
• Michael Gedwill: German sculptor and designer of the early 20th century.
• Thomas Gedwill: American taxonomist and plant geneticist.

Other surnames

GedwilloGedwillus