McBride - Bumpus Genealogy

  Anatomy  of  the  " G " Surnames

Origin - Meanings of Surnames beginning with " G "

                                             G A R D N E R
 
A name derived from the occupation.

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                                                     G I L L
 
Locality.  A valley or woody glen; a narrow dell with a brook running through it; a small stream.

                                                            G I L L E T T

from a pet form of the personal names Giles, Julian, or William (see Gill 1). topographic name for someone living at the top of a glen or ravine, from northern Middle English gil(l) ‘glen’ + heved ‘head’.

                                                                G L A S S

English and German: metonymic occupational name for a glazier or glass blower, from Old English glæs ‘glass’ (akin to Glad, referring originally to the bright shine of the material), Middle High German glas. Irish and Scottish: Anglicized form of the epithet glas ‘gray’, ‘green’, ‘blue’ or any of various Gaelic surnames derived from it. German: altered form of the personal name Klass, a reduced form of Nikolaus (see Nicholas). Jewish (Ashkenazic): ornamental name from German Glass ‘glass’, or a metonymic occupational name for a glazier or glass blower.

                                                                 G R E E N

English: one of the most common and widespread of English surnames, either a nickname for someone who was fond of dressing in this color (Old English grene) or who had played the part of the ‘Green Man’ in the May Day celebrations, or a topographic name for someone who lived near a village green, Middle English grene (a transferred use of the color term). In North America this name has no doubt assimilated cognates from other European languages, notably German Grün (see Gruen). Jewish (American): Americanized form of German Grün or Yiddish Grin, Ashkenazic ornamental names meaning ‘green’ or a short form of any of the numerous compounds with this element. Irish: translation of various Gaelic surnames derived from glas ‘gray’, ‘green’, ‘blue’. See also Fahey. North German: short form of a habitational name from a place name with Gren- as the first element (for example Greune, Greubole).

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                                                  G R I M E S
 
From the Anglo Saxon Grim, Dutch, Grim, germ,. Grimm, Welsh, grem, Gaelic, gruaim, surly, sullen, dark, having a fierce and stern look, courageous.

                                                       G U Y
 
A term given in Gaul to the mistletoe, or cure-all; also a guide, a leader or director, from Guia, Sp. and Port.