Gordon
What is the origin of the last name Gordon?
Meaning and origin
The last name Gordon has its origin in both Gaelic and Norman roots. In Gaelic, the name is derived from the word "gor" meaning "spacious" or "great," and the word "dun" meaning "fort" or "hill." In Norman, the name can be traced back to the place name "Gourdon" in France. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name evolved, resulting in the surname Gordon.
The longer story
The last name "Gordon" has a rich and complex history, with roots that can be traced back to various regions and cultures. Here are the key facts about the meaning and origins of the surname:
1. The surname "Gordon" is of Scottish origin, and it is a habitational name derived from places in Berwickshire and Aberdeenshire, Scotland. These places are believed to be named after a Gaelic term "goradan," meaning "spacious fortification" or "large fort."
2. The Gordon family played a significant role in Scottish history, with their origins dating back to the 12th century.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#161
Gordon was the 161st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 161,833 people, about 55 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Gordon
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Gordon is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.