Surname Gildersleeve - Meaning and Origin
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Gildersleeve: What does the surname Gildersleeve mean?
The last name Gildersleeve is an English topographical surname derived from the Old English words “gylda” meaning gold, and “sceorf” meaning sleeve. In the Middle Ages, sleeves were worn to demonstrate a social or personal status. The name likely originated with someone who wore expensive gilded, or gold-embroidered, sleeves.
The roots of the name often trace back to the 14th century in the northern European country of Holland. During that time period, the Dutch populace had surnames that were associated with physical places or locations. The Gildersleeves likely took their name from a small village or estate that included some sort of gold mine.
From there, the surname spread to Ireland and Scotland around the 15th century, then to England in the 16th century, where it quickly gained popularity. By the late 16th century, it was widespread all over northern and southern England. It crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the United States, and by 1790, the name was present in New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
The Gildersleeve surname is an old English topographical name that's incredibly unique and distinctive. Its history dates back to the 14th century, and has since crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. Thename’s origin likely derives from the Old English words “gylda” meaning gold, and “sceorf” meaning sleeve. It's a unique last name that serves as an indication of a person’s social or personal status.
Order DNA origin analysisGildersleeve: Where does the name Gildersleeve come from?
The last name Gildersleeve is a common surname found in many countries around the world. In the United States, Gildersleeve is most common in the Northeast and Midwest, particularly in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
In Europe, the surname is most prevalent in the United Kingdom, with a large concentration in England. It is also commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, and Germany.
In Canada, Gildersleeve is found mostly in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It is also found in a number of other provinces in varying numbers.
In Australia, Gildersleeve is found mainly in Victoria and New South Wales, with smaller numbers found in other parts of the country.
Latin America and the Caribbean is also home to many with the Gildersleeve name. It is particularly common in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica.
Finally, Gildersleeve is found throughout South Africa, particularly in Limpopo, North West, and Gauteng provinces.
Overall, the surname Gildersleeve is spread across the world, and is particularly common in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and a number of Latin American and African countries.
Variations of the surname Gildersleeve
Gildersleeve is a surname originating from medieval England. It comes from a combination of two Anglo-Saxon words – ‘gyld’, meaning gold, and ‘seleaf’, meaning sleeve. Taken together, the name could mean either ‘golden sleeve’ or ‘sleeved in gold’. As the name travelled abroad, it changed in various forms, giving a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
One of the most common variants of Gildersleeve is Gilderslieve, with other variations including Gildersleaf, Gildersleve, Gildersell, and Gilderselve. Surnames of the same origin as Gildersleeve include Gilders, Gilderson, Gildress, Gilderill and Gilderson.
Variant spellings tend to involve slight changes, such as adding or dropping a letter or substituting a letter. One of the typical substitutions is replacing the ‘s’ with a ‘z’, with spellings including Gilderzleeve, Gilderzleve, Gilderzell and Gilderzelve.
The Gildersleeve surname can also be seen in different forms which can suggest a foreign origin, such as Gilderliv and Gilderlef. There are also various spellings which incorporate a ‘d’ instead of an ‘s’, like Gilderdleeve and Gilderdelve.
Gildersleeve is derived from an old phrase which is no longer in common use, meaning it has a unique and interesting story behind it. This is one of the reasons why the name has seen such a variety of spellings and surnames of the same origin, with many families taking to interpreting the phrase in their own unique way.
Famous people with the name Gildersleeve
- Harold Gildersleeve: American classical scholar.
- Julius Gildersleeve: American banker and philanthropist.
- Pearce Gildersleeve: American actor and comedian.
- Brace Beemer: American radio actor known for playing the role of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve as a regular character on The Great Gildersleeve radio show.
- Reginald Gildersleeve: British actor and theatre director.
- Thomas K. Gildersleeve: American aeronautical engineer and flying ace during World War I.
- Harry D. Gildersleeve: American brigadier general who was a recipient of two Distinguished Service Crosses during World War II.
- Ernest Gildersleeve: American mathematician who developed the Gildersleeve differential equation.
- Father Wilbur Gildersleeve: American entertainer and comedian who was a frequent guest on the Lawrencine Show radio program.
- Carol Gildersleeve: American actress who was featured in several Broadway and television productions, and was a regular on the soap opera As the World Turns.