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

Gist, 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 Gist surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gist in America

Gist is the 5419th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gist surname appeared 6,422 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Gist.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gist 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 Gist

The surname Gist has its origins in medieval England, where it first emerged in the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old French word "giste," meaning a resting place or lodging, and was likely given to an innkeeper or someone who provided accommodations for travelers.

One of the earliest known references to the name Gist can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1175, where a Robert Gist is recorded. The surname also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Buckinghamshire from 1273, suggesting the name had spread across various regions of England by that time.

During the 13th century, the name Gist was sometimes spelled as "Ghist" or "Gyst," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling that were common in the Middle Ages. The surname was also associated with certain place names, such as Gistborough in Yorkshire, which may have influenced the development of the name in some families.

Notable individuals with the surname Gist throughout history include Sir William Gist (1538-1611), an English politician and member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another prominent figure was Christopher Gist (1706-1759), an American explorer and surveyor who played a significant role in the early settlement of the Ohio Valley region.

In the 18th century, Mordecai Gist (1743-1792) was a prominent American lawyer and statesman who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. His cousin, Nathaniel Gist (1787-1857), was a successful businessman and landowner in South Carolina.

During the American Civil War, Brigadier General Samuel Gist (1838-1918) served in the Confederate Army and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

Throughout its history, the surname Gist has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. It has also traveled to other parts of the world, including North America, where it has been borne by numerous individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gist

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

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 Gist 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 Gist 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 Gist was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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