Surname Gassaway - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gassaway: What does the surname Gassaway mean?
The surname Gassaway is of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a location-based surname, which was given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. The name Gassaway is derived from the Old English words "gaers," translated to grass, and "weg," meaning a path or a road. Hence, it can be interpreted as 'the path through the grass.'
It first emerged in Bedfordshire, England, in the 13th century when Gassaway families held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. Various spellings of the name have appeared over the centuries including Garsway, Gaiseway, Gasway and others.
Some Gassaway families later migrated to America, where it became a notable family name in early colonial times and made significant contributions to the nation's history and culture. Despite its origins and meanings, individuals with the surname Gassaway can be found worldwide today, each contributing to the global diversity of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisGassaway: Where does the name Gassaway come from?
The last name Gassaway is most commonly found in the southern United States. Specifically, it is most common in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The Gassaway family originated in Scotland, and was brought to the United States in the 17th century by the Scots-Irish immigrants. Today, the majority of families in these states with the last name Gassaway are direct descendants of this immigrant group. Records showing the location of the Gassaway family have been present in southern regions of the U.S. since the early 1700s.
The Gassaway name stands out among families in the South, because it contains a unique combination of English and Scottish first names. With time, the name has been corrupted to “Gasaway,” “Gasawy,” “Cassaway,” and “Casaway.” However, all of these variations refer to the same family.
Today, the surname Gassaway can be found in coastal and mountain regions of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina. The small towns of Gassaway, Alabama; Gassaway, West Virginia; and Gassaway, Tennessee are other reminders of this unique and historically motivated last name. Additionally, Gassaway is the name of a successful law firm in Knoxville, Tennessee, formed by two brothers with this last name.
Variations of the surname Gassaway
The surname Gassaway is of English origin and can be found in records as early as the 16th century in Norfolk, England. There are several variants and spelling variations that have evolved since the original surname was first established. Variants of the name include Gasaway, Gasvay, Gassvay, Gassaway, and GAUSSway. Other forms of the name include Gascoigne, Gascoyne, and Gascoygn.
The name has been spelled in a variety of ways, including Gascoigne, Gascoyne, Gassaway, Gassvay, and Gasvay. In some instances, spelling was determined by the influence of the recorder and some variant forms indicate dialectal or regional preferences. Gasaway and Gassaway are the most common spellings used in the United States.
The Gassaway name is also found in Scotland and Ireland, and some even trace their origin back to France. From Scotland, the Gassaway family emerged from the ancient Celtic people of Strathclyde, whose many clans gave rise to the modern Gaelic surname system.
The Gassaway name is used by numerous people around the world today, including various immigrants from Europe who brought their version of the name with them when they settled in the United States in the 1700s. There are many family branches of the Gassaway surname that exist today. Despite minor differences in spelling, and the emergence of new variants, all traces of the Gassaway surname can be linked to their English and European roots.
Famous people with the name Gassaway
- Kelly Gassaway: American film producer, director and actor.
- Tolbert Gassaway: American soldier who served during the American Revolutionary War.
- Paul Gassaway: former Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
- Larry Gassaway: former Major League Pitcher for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox.
- James Gossalway: former Canadian Member of Parliament and Mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland.
- Dashiell Gassaway: English actor who appeared in TV shows such as Doctor Who and Coronation Street.
- Jessie Gassaway: American actress and singer who appeared in the movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
- David Gassaway: former Mayor of Los Angeles and art dealer.
- Steven Gassaway: American football player, played for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL.
- Ralph Gassaway: Major League Baseball infielder for the Washington Senators.