Gillelan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The Gillelan surname is a reduced Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Mac Gille Fhaoláin, which means "son of the servant of St Faolán." While the name may have originated in Ireland, this line was extant by the beginning of the 17th century, only to find many of the family to return to Ireland about 100 years later with the Plantation of Ulster.

Early Origins of the Gillelan family

The surname Gillelan was first found in Midlothian, where Gilbert McGillelane or McGillolane was listed as captain of Clan Connan of Galloway during the reign of David II (1324-1371). Also during this time, Ingeram M'Gillelan held a lease of lands in the barony of Redcastle in 1372. 1

Early History of the Gillelan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gillelan research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1667, 1731, 1735, 1847, 1864 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gillelan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gillelan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gilleland, Gillieland, Gillsland, Gilsland, Gillesland, Gillerlaine, Gillerland, Gillisland, Gillan, Gillander, Gilander, MacGillanders and many more.

Early Notables of the Gillelan family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gillelan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gillelan family to Ireland

Some of the Gillelan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 127 words (9 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 Gillelan family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: C. Gillanders who settled in Baltimore in 1822; John Gilliland settled in New England in 1685; James Gilliland arrived in Philadelphia in 1843.

Contemporary Notables of the name Gillelan (post 1700) +

Jopshua T. Gillelan II, American lawyer
Charles G. Gillelan, American World War I Honor Roll recipient
G. Howard Gillelan, American author

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)