Surname Gambles - Meaning and Origin

Gambles: What does the surname Gambles mean?

The surname Gambles is of English origin and has multiple potential meanings. It could derive from a nickname for someone fond of making wagers or bets, originating from the Middle English term "gamen," which means "game" or "play." It also might come from the Old Norse given name "Gamall," meaning "old." Additionally, it could be a locational surname that has been derived from a place in either Lancashire or Yorkshire called ‘Gamel’ or ‘Gamelis’, inhabited by descendants of a person named Gamall. Like many surnames, the exact origin can be hard to pin down and might differ among individuals or families with the last name Gambles.

Gambles: Where does the name Gambles come from?

The surname Gambles is of English origin. Specifically, it roots back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name derived from the Old Norse personal names of “Gamall" or "Gamel," which literally translates to "old", however in this case, it was often used as an affectionate term like 'old fellow'.

The first recorded spelling of the family name, dating back to 1175, is shown to be that of Richard Gamel, in the “Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire.” Over the centuries, this surname spread across different regions, with various spelling forms including Gamble, Gambles, Gambell, Gamel, and Gamblin.

Today, the surname Gambles is common in the United States of America, particularly in the states of North Carolina and Alabama. To an extent, it is also prevalent in the United Kingdom, notably in Yorkshire. However, compared to other surnames, Gambles is considered relatively rare, and thus, it is not densely concentrated in any particular global region.

Variations of the surname Gambles

The surname Gambles has its origins in the English language. It is derived from an old English word which means "old", "game", or "play". This name implies "one who is old and wise", or "one who is known for playing games".

In addition to Gambles, there are several other variants and similar surnames that stem from the same origin. These name variants could include Gamble, Gambel, and Gammell. Sometimes, the ending "s" could be dropped or changed to another letter for examples like Gambel.

Furthermore, the surname could also be spelled with double letters, as in Gammble or as Gambell.

In terms of related surnames, there are quite a few that seem to also be derived from old English words for "game" or "play", such as Games, Gamez, Gammon, Gammie, Gamblin, and Gamelin.

It should be noted that various factors including regional pronunciations and individual preferences could have affected the spelling of these surnames over time. Therefore, many of the surname variations are often based on phonetic spelling.

Famous people with the name Gambles

• Sam Gamble: Football Player
• Dusty Gambles: Actor
• Jason Gamble: Musician
• Jon Gamble: Guitarist
• Tommy Gamble: Rapper
• Reggie Gamble: Basketball Player
• Philip Gamble: Motivational Speaker
• Jessica Gambles: Activist
• Les Gambles: Radio Host
• Jesse Gambles: Professional Wrestler
• Pierre Gambles: Poet
• David Gamble: Singer-Songwriter
• Kelly Gambles: Youtuber
• Warren Gambles: Actor, Comedian
• Ryan Gamble: Baseball Player
• Mike Gambles: Blockbuster Producer
• Jazmyne Gambles: Athlete
• Kelsey Gambles: Media Personality
• Chad Gamble: Musician
• Matt Gambles: Photographer

Other surnames

GambleGamblinGambling