This interesting surname of usually French origins, is recorded in over fifty different spelling forms. These range for the traditional Guy, Guye, and Guyon, to Why, Whye and Wyon, to Guido, Ghi, Gyde, Guet, Guidini and Ghidoli, and recorded in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. However spelt and in whatever nationality, the surname shares the same origins. These are that firstly it may be an occupational name for a professional guide, a very important role in the ancient times when existing maps were not to be trusted if they existed at all, and signposts or marker stones, equally erratic.
This derivation is from the pre 10th century Old French word "gui" meaning a professional guide, an example being John le Gy, in the Subsidy Rolls of Essex, England, in the year 1327. Secondly the name may derive from the personal name 'Guy', a French name of the 10th century, but one derived from the Germanic "Wido", of uncertain meaning. Thirdly the surname may derive from the Old High German word "witu" and the Old English pre 7th century "widu" or "wudu", meaning a wood, and therefore occupational for one living by such a place. The baptismal name in the forms Wi, Why, and Guy, was very popular with the Norman-French, and these were reflected in the later English spellings of Guye, Whye, etc. Examples of the surname spelling taken from authentic records include Richard Guye, recorded in the London Rolls of 1384, and Guido Guidonis, at Birwinken im Thrugau, Germany, in 1390. One of the earliest settlers to the new colonies of America was William Guy, aged 18 years, who on 2nd January 1634, sailed from London, bound for Virginia. The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere in the world is believed to be that of Richard Wi, which was dated 1188. This was in the "Pipe Rolls" of the county of Oxfordshire, England, during the reign of King Henry 11nd, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 -- 1189. 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.
Research into the possible origins of guitel leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname guitel is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of guitel.
There is a considerable probability that guitel has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where guitel is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname guitel provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named guitel are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname guitel, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of guitel developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname guitel.
It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of guitel could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about guitel and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname guitel, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname guitel were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname guitel, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The bibliography collects information related to the surname guitel, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of guitel are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of guitel.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of guitel, and at the same time, of surnames in general.