Origin of Gaw
Recorded in several spellings including Gall, Gaw, Gow, and patronymics Gawson, Ganson, Gaunson, Gauson, Gowson, this interesting surname has two possible derivations. Firstly it may be Scottish and derive from the Old Gaelic word "gall", meaning a stranger. In the Highlands of Scotland, the term was applied to people from the English-speaking Lowlands, whilst in Ireland it was given to settlers who arrived from Wales and England in the aftermath of the Anglo-Norman invasion. The surname is also found early in Lincolnshire, where it is of Breton origin, being introduced there by Norman settlers.
Secondly, however, the name may derive from a given name derived from the Latin word gallus", meaning a cockerell. Its popularity was due to the fame of a 7th century Irish monk called St. Gall. He established a Christian settlement to the south of Lake Constance, and the name was taken in Czechoslovakia as Havel, and into Poland as Gawel. Early examples of the surname include Adam Galle (of Warwickshire, in 1221, William Gaw of Perthshire in Scotland in 1397, and Alexander Gawensone on Nairn in 1563. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter Galle. This was dated 1170, in the transcripts of charters relating to the Gilbertine Houses, of Lincolnshire. This was during the reign of King Henry 11nd of England, 1154 -1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
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The surname Gaw. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance
Discovering the historical roots of gaw is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname gaw is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of gaw.
The surname Gaw around the world
Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname gaw. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname gaw provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
History of Gaw
The historical chronicle of gaw is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname gaw, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of gaw developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname gaw.
We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname gaw, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about gaw and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Notable Figures Named Gaw
It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished gaws throughout human history. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname gaw were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname gaw, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The surname Gaw and its bibliographic sources
Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of gaw. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of gaw are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of gaw.
SOURCES
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of gaw, and at the same time, of surnames in general.
