Find out how popular the last name Gibbens is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gibbens.

Gibbens, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gibbens surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gibbens in America

Gibbens is the 15201st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gibbens surname appeared 1,938 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Gibbens.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gibbens to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Gibbens

The surname Gibbens has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place name that has since fallen out of use or been changed over time. One potential source is the Old English word "gibb," which means "a ridge" or "a hill," suggesting that the name may have originated from an area characterized by such geographical features.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Gibbens can be traced back to the 13th century, with mentions found in various historical documents and records from that era. One notable example is the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which documented landholders and their properties across various counties in England.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a William Gibbens was listed as a taxpayer in 1327. This record provides evidence of the name's presence and usage during that time period.

As the name spread and evolved, variations in spelling emerged, such as Gibens, Gibbins, and Gibbons. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the name in official documents.

One noteworthy individual bearing the Gibbens surname was John Gibbens, a merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. Historical records indicate that he owned substantial properties in the county of Gloucestershire, solidifying the family's presence in the region.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Gibbens, a renowned lawyer and judge who lived during the reign of King James I in the early 17th century. He served as a Justice of the King's Bench and played a significant role in shaping the legal system of his time.

In the 18th century, the Gibbens name gained further recognition with the birth of William Gibbens (1702-1785), a prominent clergyman and scholar who held the position of Canon of Salisbury Cathedral. His contributions to religious and academic discourse during that era were notable.

As the centuries progressed, the Gibbens family continued to leave their mark in various fields. One such individual was Elizabeth Gibbens (1828-1901), a celebrated author and poet whose works gained widespread acclaim during the Victorian era.

The final historical figure worth mentioning is Sir Arthur Gibbens (1867-1939), a distinguished military officer who served in the British Army during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He played a crucial role in several notable campaigns and was highly decorated for his service and leadership.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gibbens

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gibbens.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gibbens was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Gibbens has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gibbens was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gibbens, please contact us.

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