Surname Geddes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Geddes: What does the surname Geddes mean?
The surname Geddes is of Scottish origin and it is believed to be a geographical or locational name derived from the town of Petty in the former county of Inverness. The town was originally known as "Geddes", and individuals who hailed from this town later adopted the name.
The name is believed to originate from the Scottish Gaelic elements "ged," meaning 'pike' (a type of fish), and "des," meaning 'of the'. Thus, the name could possibly denote someone 'of the place of the pike,' suggesting a location where this type of fish was abundant.
People with the Geddes surname have a family crest and coat of arms, and they belonged to a Scottish Clan known as Clan Geddes. The Clan has a rich history dating back to the 14th century.
Please note that surname origins can vary and may have different meanings in different cultures and languages.
Order DNA origin analysisGeddes: Where does the name Geddes come from?
The surname Geddes is of Scottish origin, specifically from the region of Nairn, where the family held a family seat as significant landowners in the medieval era. The name Geddes is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "gedd," meaning "pike" and could possibly relate to a pike's spear, implicating the family's involvement in warfare.
Today, Geddes is somewhat common in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Nairn and Moray, echoing its historical roots. However, due to migration patterns over the centuries, this surname is also prevalent in various countries around the globe, particularly in nations that were destinations for Scottish diaspora. These regions include England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite the dispersal, the name is not exceedingly common, but it is not rare either.
Variations of the surname Geddes
The surname Geddes is considered to have originated from Scotland. Derived from the Gaelic Geadais, which means 'pike fish', this surname has several variations and spellings depending on the geographical area and the course of time. Some common variations of the surname Geddes include Gedde, Geddy, Geddies and Geddas.
Alternative spellings, often resulting from phonetic transcription, include Gedes, Geddys and Geddis. Also, surnames like Gedds, Kiddes and Gettys might be found. According to some genealogical sources, Geddes(s) is also a sept of the Clan Chattan in Scotland, which could lead to surname connections with many other Scottish clan names.
There are many surnames of the same origin (Gaelic or Scottish), though they might not be specifically connected to Geddes, but share a geographic or language ancestry. These may include names like Mackintosh, Macpherson, Davidson, Shaw, and Farquharson.
As surname ancestry often overlaps due to migration and intermarriage, other related surnames might reveal themselves in the course of detailed genealogical research. The suffixes and prefixes could also differ based on specific linguistic or cultural traditions.
Famous people with the name Geddes
- Anne Geddes: She is an Australian-born photographer, known for her distinctive pictures of babies and motherhood. Her work has been published in over 80 countries.
- Norman Geddes: A renowned Scottish town planner and landscape architect.
- Patrick Geddes: A Scottish biologist, botanist, and urban planner involved with many urban planning schemes in Britain and overseas.
- Jenny Geddes: A Scottish market trader in Edinburgh, who is alleged to have thrown her stool at the head of the minister in St Giles' Cathedral in objection to the first public use of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer in Scotland.
- John Geddes: A Canadian journalist and Maclean's magazine's Ottawa bureau chief.
- George Geddes: An American engineer and politician, he built one of the first railroads in the state of New York.
- Bill Geddes: A former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
- Andrew Geddes: A Scottish portrait painter and etcher.
- Lesley Geddes: A Scottish former female international footballer.
- Kathryn Geddes: A British archaeologist.
- Barbara Bel Geddes: An American stage and screen actress, artist, and children's author.