Gillespy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland-Alt
Scotland

In Ireland, the name Gillespie is the usual modern form of MacGillespick, or "Mac Giolla Epscoip," which means "son of the servant or follower of the bishop."

Early Origins of the Gillespy family

The surname Gillespy was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, where they had been documented in Ireland since the invasion led by Strongbow, the Earl of Pembroke in 1172.

Early History of the Gillespy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gillespy research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1766 and 1814 are included under the topic Early Gillespy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gillespy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gillespie, Gillespick, MacGillespie, MacGillespick, Glaspey, Clubsy and many more.

Early Notables of the Gillespy family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gillespy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gillespy migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gillespy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Gillespy, who landed in America in 1795 1

Gillespy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patt Gillespy, aged 35, who landed in New Castle in 1804 1
Jane Gillespy, who arrived in America in 1805 1
George Gillespy, who landed in America in 1807 1
Andrew Gillespy, who landed in America in 1810 1
Ann Gillespy, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1812 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gillespy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Gillespy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Eliza Gillespy, aged 27, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "James Fernie" 2

The Gillespy Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tu certas salutis anchora
Motto Translation: A sure anchor of safety.

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
South Australian Register Friday 17th November 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) James Fernie 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/jamesfernie1854.shtml