Meaning and history
Gladwin is an English given name transferred from a surname and an older personal name. It derives from Old English elements glæd, meaning “bright,” “cheerful,” or “glad,” and wine, “friend,” giving the traditional interpretation “glad friend.” It later survived mainly as a surname before returning to first-name use. A notable bearer is Kenyan politician Gladwin Shitanda. Gladwyn is a related spelling, famously borne by British diplomat Gladwyn Jebb.