Gillece History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the Gillece family come from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. Their surname comes from the Gaelic words "gille Iose," which means "servant of Jesus."

Early Origins of the Gillece family

The surname Gillece was first found in Lothian, where a member of the family was a witness to the charter, by King David I, to the Abbey of Holyrood. In 1160, Vhtred Gilise inherited the estates in Lothian. It is also recorded that M. filius Gilise, who was a close confidant of King Malcolm IV of Scotland, was witness to a charter signed at the Abbey of Scone in 1164.

Early History of the Gillece family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gillece research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1264, 1376, 1521, 1747, 1778, 1793, 1836 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gillece History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gillece Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, Gillece has been spelled Gillies, Gillis, Gillie, Gilly, Gilles, Gillieson and many more.

Early Notables of the Gillece family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gillece Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gillece family to Ireland

Some of the Gillece family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gillece family

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gillece were among those contributors: Annette Gillis landed in New York in 1662; Elin Gillis settled in Virginia in 1649; Sarah Gillis settled in New Jersey in 1773; Ann Gillies settled in Pennsylvania in 1773.

Contemporary Notables of the name Gillece (post 1700) +

Karen Gillece (b. 1974), Irish writer, awarded European Union Prize for Literature in 2009 for her work, Longshore Drift

The Gillece 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: Touch not the cat bot a glove
Motto Translation: Touch not the cat without a glove