Get access to Gilbert family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Gilbert Family History

Gilbert Surname Meaning

English (of Norman origin) French and German: from the personal name Giselbert composed of the ancient Germanic elements gīsil ‘pledge hostage noble youth’ (see Giesel ) + berht ‘bright famous’. This personal name enjoyed considerable popularity in England during the Middle Ages partly as a result of the fame of Saint Gilbert of Sempringham (1085–1189) the founder of the only native English monastic order. Americanized form of one or more similar (like-sounding) Jewish surnames.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Wilbert, Filbert, Hilbert, Albert, Guilbert, Milbert, Gimbert

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Gilbert family from?

You can see how Gilbert families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gilbert family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Gilbert families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 439 Gilbert families living in New York. This was about 23% of all the recorded Gilbert's in USA. New York had the highest population of Gilbert families in 1840.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gilbert surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Gilbert

What did your Gilbert ancestors do for a living?

View Census Data for Gilbert | Data not to scale

Top Male Occupations In 1940

Laborer
14%
Farmer
14%
Salesman
5%
Truck Driver
3%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

Housewife
7%
Housekeeper
6%
Maid
6%
Teacher
6%

Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Gilbert family records will you find?

Census Records
There are 931,000 census records available for the last name Gilbert. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gilbert census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.
Search US census records for Gilbert
Passenger Lists
There are 89,000 immigration records available for the last name Gilbert. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.
View all Gilbert immigration records
Draft Cards
There are 143,000 military records available for the last name Gilbert. For the veterans among your Gilbert ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.
View all Gilbert military records

Census Records

There are 931,000 census records available for the last name Gilbert. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gilbert census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Gilbert

Passenger Lists

There are 89,000 immigration records available for the last name Gilbert. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Gilbert immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 143,000 military records available for the last name Gilbert. For the veterans among your Gilbert ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gilbert military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gilbert family history

Discover More

What is the average Gilbert lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Gilbert life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1942, and highest in 2004. The average life expectancy for Gilbert in 1940 was 38, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gilbert

Browse profiles of historical people with the Gilbert last name