Gilkersum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the Gilkersum family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The family name comes from the Gaelic "Gille Criosd", which means "the servant of Christ".

Early Origins of the Gilkersum family

The surname Gilkersum 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 Gilkersum family

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

Gilkersum Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Gilkersum include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include Gilchristson, Gilkerson, Gilkison, Gilcriston, Gilkersone, MacGilchrist, McGilchrist, Gilchristoun, Kilkerson, Gilkisone, Gilkrisoune, Gilkcrissone and many more.

Early Notables of the Gilkersum family

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

Migration of the Gilkersum family to Ireland

Some of the Gilkersum 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 Gilkersum family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Gilkersum or a variant listed above: Archibald and Robert Gilkeson settled in Augusta County, Virginia in 1767.