Gilliant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Gilliant was formed. The name was derived from the personal name Julian, which was both masculine and feminine in Old English. Consequently, both patronymic and metronymic surnames are derived from this name. The personal name Julian was originally derived from both the Latin masculine name Julianus and the Latin feminine name Juliana; these were both names of saints and enjoyed great popularity.

Early Origins of the Gilliant family

The surname Gilliant was first found in Cambridgeshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Gilliant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilliant research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1574, 1591, 1743 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Gilliant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilliant Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Gilliant include Julian, Jullian, Julyan, Juliane, Julion, Gillian and others.

Early Notables of the Gilliant family

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

Migration of the Gilliant family to Ireland

Some of the Gilliant 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 Gilliant family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Gilliant were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William Julian, who sailed to Virginia as one of the first settlers to America in 1609; Sara Julian to Virginia in 1618; William Julian to Virginia in 1623.