Origin of Gilliland


This unusual surname is of medieval Scottish origin, and is a variant form of the name Gilfillan, itself an Anglicized version of the Old Gaelic "Mac GilleFhaolain", "son of the servant of (St.) Fillan", from "Mac", son of, "gille", servant, devotee, follower, and the saint's name, Fillan, representing a diminutive of "faol", wolf. St. Fillan was an early 8th Century abbot of Irish extraction who became a monk in County Wexford, and a solitary at Pittenweem (Fife), and later retired to Glendochart (Perthshire).

His ult was sufficiently important for Robert the Bruce to take his arm relic to the battle of Bannockburn and to attribute his victory to the saint's intercession. The personal name appears frequently in Scots records in the 12th and 13th Centuries: one Gille falyn held land in Lauderdale circa 1214; Gilfelan MacGuostuf witnessed a charter by Maldoune, third earl of Levenox in 1217; and in 1250, a Gillifelan is recorded as dean of Kintyre. Early examples of the surname include: Cane McGillolane, who witnessed the foundation charter of Sweetheart Abbey in 1359, and Ingeram M'Gillelan, who held lands in Forfarshire in 1372. Ewin Gilfillan, noted in the Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland in 1516, shows the omission of the prefix "Mac". In the modern idiom the surname is variously spelt: Gilfillan, Gilphillan, Kilfillan, Gilfilland, Gilliland and Gelland. On September 11th 1743, Helen Gilliland and George Home were married in Edinburgh, Midlothian. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilbert McGillolane, Captain of Clenconnan in Galloway, which was dated circa 1330, in the "Register of the Great Seal of Scotland", during the reign of King David 11 of Scotland, 1329 - 1371. 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.

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The surname Gilliland. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of gilliland is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The history of the surname gilliland is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of gilliland. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of gilliland.

The surname Gilliland around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname gilliland. It is common for surnames like gilliland to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones.

History of Gilliland

The historical chronicle of gilliland is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The historical journey of the surname gilliland can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of gilliland. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname gilliland.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname gilliland, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname gilliland, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames.

Notable Figures Named Gilliland

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished gillilands throughout human history. Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all gillilands who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. If you or someone you know bears the surname gilliland, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Gilliland and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of gilliland. It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname gilliland. 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 gilliland.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of gilliland, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

  1. Gilleland
  2. Gillilan
  3. Guilliland
  4. Gililland
  5. Gilleylen
  6. Galalon
  7. Gilolmo
  8. Guillelmi
  9. Glielmi
  10. Gulelmi
  11. Gulielmi
  12. Galiullin