Gethins

This interesting surname is Welsh in origin. It derives from Guts or Gutynused as a petname in the personal name Gruddydd or Griffith, Gruffydd is a compound word from the Welsh "Griphuid" meaning in effect "strong grip" plus "udd" lord. The surname Gittings can occasionally be traced back to the Welsh byname "Cethin" meaning dusky or swarthy. It is found in the variant forms Gething, Gittens, Gettings, Gettins, Gitting, Gittings and Gettins. The surname Gittings was established in its present form at least by the early 17th Century as can be ascertained from London on church registers. One George Gittings is recorded as marrying Joane Austen of January 27th 1609 at Clerkenwell, London. An early Kent registration was that of Jaine Gittinges who was christened at Chevening on the March 14th 1617. One David Gettings the infant son of Thomas Gettings was christened on August 5th 1649 at Saint Giles, Cripplegate, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Eynon Gethin, which was dated 1332, in the "Chirkland Records", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.