Guilbert

Guilbert is a surname of French origin, and occasionally a given name. In modern usage it is more commonly encountered as a surname, while the given-name form is rare outside historical or genealogical contexts.

Etymology: Guilbert is a variant of Gilbert, from Old High German roots gisil (pledge, hostage) and beraht (bright). The combination is typically interpreted as "bright pledge." The form Guilbert appears in medieval French records as a given name and later as a hereditary surname.

Variants and distribution: Spelling variants include Guilberd, Guillebert, Gilberd, and related forms. The surname is found in France and other francophone regions, with descendants in Canada, the United States, and other countries through migration. In non-French contexts, the English form Gilbert is more common.

Notable usage: The name Guilbert appears in historical and contemporary records across various fields, but the given-name form is largely historical. The surname continues to occur in genealogical and biographical references.