Surname Gittins - Meaning and Origin

Gittins: What does the surname Gittins mean?

The surname Gittins is of Welsh origin, and likely derived from the Welsh personal name Gethin, which itself was derived from the verb 'gad', meaning 'to pour'. As such, the surname Gittins likely indicates descent from someone given the characteristic or nickname 'gad', possibly an ancestor who was quite generous or even 'poured out' such generosity to others.

The origin of the Gittins family can likely be traced to southeast Wales and the Vale of Glamorgan, where the name was most commonly found. It was commonly found in the region starting as early as the 13th century.

Gittins is a common Welsh surname and is found in other English-speaking countries currently. The name is likely still associated with the same meaning as it was centuries ago — generosity. This is no surprise, as qualities such as kindness and generosity are traits passed down and preserved through generations.

The Gittins name persists today — some important individuals who have held the surname Gittins include political figure Enoch Gittins, actor Kenneth Gittins, and soldier Thomas Gittins.

The Gittins surname dates far back in Wales and is still prominent in Welsh culture — it is likely that its meaning of generosity will similarly remain unchanged for hundreds of years to come.

Gittins: Where does the name Gittins come from?

The surname Gittins is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the English Midlands and Wales. However, it is also found in other countries around the world, such as the United States, Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, although it is much less common in those places than it is in the UK.

The surname Gittins can be traced back to the Middle Ages in the region where it is most prevalent today, England and Wales. Early records of the surname date back to the 12th century, when Helewis Gittinus was recorded as living in Suffolk in 1228. During that time, people would often take their family name from the location in which they were living. In this case, it is thought that the first Gittins could have derived their surname from the village of Gittisham in East Devon, which has been inhabited since the 11th century.

The meaning of the surname Gittins is unclear, though it is thought to be Anglo-Saxon in origin, and some believe that it may have been derived from the Old English words ‘gitte’, meaning ‘wood’, and ‘hame’, meaning ‘home’. It could also be a shortened form of Gittens, which is derived from the Greek personal name ‘Gitton', meaning ‘brave’.

As mentioned, the Gittins surname is still found in many countries around the world today, although it is far more common in the UK than anywhere else.

Variations of the surname Gittins

Gittins is an English surname that is believed to have been derived from the Old Norse personal name Guðfinnr. It is thought to originate from the Irish surname McGittins and the Scottish surnames Gittons and Gigtins, which could have all been derived from the Old Norse name. Some variants of Gittins are Gittens, Gittin, Gittinz, Gittins, Gittens, Gittinis, Gitton, Gittins, Gittons and Gigtins.

Spellings might include Gettins, Gettens, Gittenz, Gettinz, Gittenz, Gitizenz, Githons, Githins and Giddons. Other derivatives include Geddins, Geddings, Gedder, Gedney, Gittom and Giddins.

Another variant of the surname Gittins is the Irish surname McGittins, which is also thought to have been derived from the Old Norse name Guðfinnr. Spellings of McGittins could include Magittins and Magittens.

Gittens, Gittins and McGittins are all diminutives, meaning they come from a much larger origin name. The surnames of Gittons and Gigtins might have comes from the origin surname Gittens.

To summarise, Gittins is an English surname that has derived from the Old Norse name. Variants include Gittens, Gittin, Gittinz, Gittins, Gittens, Gittinis, Gitton, Gittins, Gittons and Gigtins. Spellings that are related to Gittins include Gettins, Gettens, Gittenz, Gettinz, Gittenz, Gitizenz, Githons, Githins and Giddons, and the Irish variant of the surname is McGittins. All of these surnames might have stemmed from the Old Norse name Guðfinnr.

Famous people with the name Gittins

• Tim Gittins, English actor
• Sarah Gittins, British actress
• Will Gittins, British film and television actor
• Matthew Gittins, British actor
• Scott Gittins, English actor
• Andrew Gittins, Welsh actor
• Kev Gittins, Welsh actor
• Ruth Gittins, British actor
• Stephen Gittins, British comedy actor
• Stephen Gittins Sr., English actor

Other surnames

Gittings