Gilchristoun History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Gilchristoun

What does the name Gilchristoun mean?

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Gilchristoun is the Gaelic "Gille Criosd", which means "the servant of Christ".

Early Origins of the Gilchristoun family

The surname Gilchristoun was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they held a family seat some say as far back as the 12th century. The first record of the name was in Cupar-Angus in the 15th century where they held a family seat at Murthly in Atholl, in the parish of Little Dunkeld in Perthshire.

Early History of the Gilchristoun family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilchristoun research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1680 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Gilchristoun History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilchristoun Spelling Variations

The translation of Gaelic names in the Middle Ages was not a task undertaken with great care. Records from that era show an enormous number of spelling variations, even in names referring to the same person. Over the years Gilchristoun has appeared as Gilchristson, Gilkerson, Gilkison, Gilcriston, Gilkersone, MacGilchrist, McGilchrist, Gilchristoun, Kilkerson, Gilkisone, Gilkrisoune, Gilkcrissone and many more.

Early Notables of the Gilchristoun family

More information is included under the topic Early Gilchristoun Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gilchristoun family to Ireland

Some of the Gilchristoun family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gilchristoun family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, Clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Gilchristoun were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: Archibald and Robert Gilkeson settled in Augusta County, Virginia in 1767.

The Gilchristoun 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: I hope to speed