Dictionary of Family Names

GILBERT, GILBERTSON,   A baptismal name meaning "the son of Gilbert"; Old Frank Giselbert.  That at least twenty surnames, more or less familiar, are founded upon "Gilbert," need cause little surprise.  It seemed to exercise a fascination over our ancestors.  The Gilbertines were an English order, founded in the 12th century by St. Gilbert, who was born at Sempringham, co. Lincoln.  There were numerous convents of this order at the time of the suppression.  The name was naturally popular.  The nickname was Gib, the chief diminutive 'on'; hence Gibbon.  The different corruptions of Gibbon are given in their place.  Diminutives in 'let' and 'ling' give us our Gibletts and Giblings (Lond. Dir.).  Gilpin was formed from Gilb-in (v. Gilpin), and was peculiar to the North of England.