Gilchrist History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Gilchrist:

Gilchrist Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Robert Gilchrist, who settled in New Jersey in 1685

Gilchrist Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Robert Gilchrist, who arrived in New England in 1725 5
• Duncan Gilchrist, who landed in New York in 1738 5
• Margaret Gilchrist, who arrived in New York in 1740 5
• Nimrod Gilchrist, who landed in South Carolina in 1751 5
• Henry and John and his wife Marion, Lawrence Gilchrist, who, who settled in Boston in 1766
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gilchrist Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• James Gilchrist, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1823 5
• Andrew Gilchrist, who landed in New York in 1843 5
• John R Gilchrist, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
• L Gilchrist, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
• T Gilchrist, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gilchrist Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• John Gilchrist, who landed in Quebec in 1784
• Mr. Benjamin Gilchrist U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 6
• Mr. Peter Gilchrist U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Ontario c. 1784 6

Gilchrist Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Jason Gilchrist, who arrived in Canada in 1830
• Thomas Gilchrist, aged 20, a clerk, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Lady Campbell" in 1834
• Alexander Gilchrist, who arrived in Canada in 1839
• John Gilchrist, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843

Gilchrist Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Gilchrist, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Douglas Gilchrist, (b. 1799), aged 22, English clerk who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years for obtaining money under false pretenses, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1828 8
• Mr. John Gilchrist, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 30th June 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 9
• Mr. William Gilchrist, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 30th June 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 9
• Mr. George Gilchrist, (Kenneth, Chisholm), (b. 1822), aged 30, Scottish soldier who was convicted in Kingston, Ontario, Canada for 14 years for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Dudbrook" on 17th November 1852, arriving in Western Australia, he died in 1873 10
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gilchrist Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. George Gilchrist, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harwood" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1858 11
• Mrs. Janet Gilchrist, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harwood" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1858 11
• Miss Isabella Gilchrist, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harwood" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1858 11
• Mr. Dugald Gilchrist, Scottish settler travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858, going to Wellington 12
• Miss Euphemia Gilchrist, Scottish settler travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858, going to Wellington 12
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• William Wallace Gilchrist (1846-1916), American composer
• John Gilchrist (1792-1859), American-born, Canadian physician and politician in Upper Canada
• Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist (1935-2011), American AFL and CFL football player
• Ellen Gilchrist (b. 1935), American novelist and short story writer
• John Borthwick Gilchrist FRSE (1759-1841), Scottish surgeon and Indologist; he endowed the Gilchrist Educational Trust
• John Skidmore Gilchrist (1939-1991), Scottish footballer
• Sir Andrew Gilchrist KCMG (1910-1993), former UK ambassador to Iceland, Indonesia and Ireland
• Keir David Peters Gilchrist (b. 1992), English-born, Canadian actor from Camden Town, London, best known for playing Marshall Gregson on Showtime's original series United States of Tara
• Roy Gilchrist (1934-2001), West Indian cricketer
• Robert Murray Gilchrist (1867-1917), English novelist and author
• ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Alexander Gilchrist, 1721-1778, and His Descendants: Islay, Argyleshire, Scotland to Argyle, Washington County, New York, U.S.A. by Frederick A. Gilchrist.