Gordon
3 synonyms for Gordon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Name — A Scottish surname, from the Celtic languages, denoting someone from Gordon, Berwickshire.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Gordan
Gordie
Etymology
The main line, linked to Celtic names, traces this back to the Scots surname Gordon, itself from a place name, though the origin remains debated. If the English or Scots name comes from a Brythonic language such as Old Welsh or Old Breton, it may stem from a Proto-Brythonic compound like *gor ('spacious') plus *din ('f...
Full origin of Gordon →Frequently asked questions
What does “Gordon” mean?
The word “Gordon” means a Scottish habitational surname from the Celtic languages for someone from Gordon, Berwickshire.
How do you pronounce “Gordon”?
“Gordon” is pronounced GAWDN (/ˈɡɔrdn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “Gordon” in a sentence?
Here is “Gordon” used in a sentence: “Mount, vassals, couch your lances, and cry, "Gordon! Gordon for Scotland and Elizabeth!".”
What part of speech is “Gordon”?
Depending on how it is used, “Gordon” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Gordon” come from?
The word “Gordon” comes from Latin.
Is “Gordon” a common word?
“Gordon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Gordon” have?
“Gordon” has 26 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a Scottish habitational surname from the Celtic languages for someone from Gordon, Berwickshire.
Where does the surname Gordon come from?
Gordon has two recorded origins. It is a Scottish habitational surname for someone from Gordon in Berwickshire, and separately an Anglo-Norman English surname for someone from Gourdon in France. Both are place-based names.
Is Gordon a Scottish name?
Yes, in one of its origins. As a Scottish surname, Gordon derives from the place Gordon in Berwickshire and is associated with a historic Scottish clan. A separate English line of the surname comes from Gourdon in France.
Is Gordon a first name or a surname?
Gordon began as a habitational surname but has long been used as a masculine given name as well. Turning a surname into a first name is a common pattern in English naming.
