Surname Gynn - Meaning and Origin
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Gynn: What does the surname Gynn mean?
Gynn is a surname of English origin. It is an unusual name, but some related forms can be found in records from the Medieval era. It may be derived from the Old English personal name Gynn, derived from the elements ‘gyne’ meaning ‘woman’ and ‘ing’ which means ‘belonging to’. This suggests the original bearer of the name may have been a woman who was married or related to someone of significance.
The Gynn surname is most commonly associated with England, being especially predominant in the south of the country. The name has its roots in Surrey, Wiltshire and Dorset, and may date back to as early as the 17th century. Indeed, the Gynn family even gave their name to the city of Gynnethorpe, now a district in the county of Surrey.
Gynn may have originally been an occupational name, as evidence suggests that some members of the Gynn family worked in farming and small-scale industry during the Medieval period. The Gynn family has since spread worldwide, with present day members living in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisGynn: Where does the name Gynn come from?
The last name Gynn is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and the Isles of Man and the Channel Islands. In England, the Gynn name is most widespread in the counties of Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Cheshire. There is also a significant Gynn population present in London and the southeast of England.
In the United States, Gynn is primarily a family name found in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusettes. The first Gynn ancestor to settle in the United States arrived in Philadelphia in 1735.
The Gynn name has also spread over the years to Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Switzerland and Norway. The presence of this surname in these countries is either due to individuals emigrating from the UK or people of British heritage choosing to crown their children with the Gynn surname.
Gynn remains a relatively uncommon name, but its spread across these countries indicates a family name which has been used and cherished for many generations.
Variations of the surname Gynn
The surname Gynn is of British origin, and is an offshoot of the ancient personal name Guine or Gwen, which was the Welsh for ‘fair’. This surname has several variant spellings, derived from the various regional dialects of the British Isles.
In England, the variants of the Gynn surname range from Ginn, Gunn, Gynne, Gyne, Gyn and Gynnes. In Scotland and Ireland, where Gaelic is spoken, you can see more versions such as Gynin, Gwyne, Gowin, Ghinn, Ynno and Gynne.
In many cases, these spellings have been passed down through generations and have become associated with certain regions or families. For example, the variants Gwyne and Ghinn are most common in Wales and Scotland respectively. Similarly, Gowin is concentrated in Ireland.
Additionally, surnames with a similar origin to Gynn include Guiney and Guinn. These appear as particular variants in Wales, or altered versions of the original Gynn surnames in the other British Isles countries.
Overall, the surname Gynn is an ancient British name, with many modern variants due to the centuries-old regional dialects found in the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Gynn
- Simon Gynn: British journalist, TV presenter, and radio producer
- Ernie Gynn: former professional American football player
- Lance Gynn: English professional footballer
- Nicky Gynn: British actor best known for roles in several British TV shows including Skins and Dream Team
- Dixie Gynn: American actress and comedian
- Meagan Gynn: American model and actress
- Ryan Gynn: American actor, screenwriter and producer known for his roles in Changeland, Godspell Live! and Black Widow Girls
- Guinevere Gynn: British flautist and composer
- Gayle Gynn: American engineer and space program manager
- Zac Gynn: American drummer and artist