Dillon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Germany 
  Ireland 


The surname is one of the Anglo-Norman names that arrived in Ireland in the wake of the 12th century invasion by Richard "Strongbow" de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The surname Dillon belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Originally, these place names were prefixed by de, which means from in French. The name of the Dillon family comes from the name of the town of Lyon in central France. In France, the name may also have been a nickname for a fierce or brave warrior, as derived from the Old French word "lion," which meant "lion." The Irish Gaelic form of the surname Dillon is Diolún.

Early Origins of the Dillon family

The surname Dillon was first found in at Drumrany in County Westmeath (Irish: An Iarmhí) in the Irish Midlands, province of Leinster, where they were the Barons of Drumrany. The Dillon family is descended from Sir Henry de Leon, a member of a noble Breton family who came to Ireland in 1185, in the service of the Earl of Morton, who later became King John. For de Leon's service, King John granted him MacCarrons territory, part of Annaly, and other vast possessions, including a castle at Dunimon.

Early History of the Dillon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dillon research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1572, 1605, 1610, 1615, 1624, 1627, 1629, 1630, 1633, 1642, 1649, 1652, 1672, 1674, 1682, 1685, 1689, 1691, 1713, 1715 and 1794 are included under the topic Early Dillon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dillon Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes and church officials spelt names simply the way they sounded, which explains the various name spelling variations of the name Dillon that were encountered when researching that surname. The many spelling variations included: Dillon, Delion, Dilune, Dilon, Dylon, Dillan, Dillen and many more.

Early Notables of the Dillon family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

Dillon World Ranking

In the United States, the name Dillon is the 825th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Dillon is ranked the 425th most popular surname with an estimated 110 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Dillon is the 488th popular surname with an estimated 7,819 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Dillon as 651st with 1,098 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Dillon as 914th with 7,543 people. 5


Dillon migration to the United States +

During the middle of the 19th century, Irish families often experienced extreme poverty and racial discrimination in their own homeland under English rule. Record numbers died of disease and starvation and many others, deciding against such a fate, boarded ships bound for North America. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Unfortunately, many of those Irish that arrived in Canada or the United States still experienced economic and racial discrimination. Although often maligned, these Irish people were essential to the rapid development of these countries because they provided the cheap labor required for the many canals, roads, railways, and other projects required for strong national infrastructures. Eventually the Irish went on to make contributions in the less backbreaking and more intellectual arenas of commerce, education, and the arts. Research early immigration and passenger lists revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Dillon:

Dillon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Dillon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Dillon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Dillon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dillon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Dillon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Dillon migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Dillon Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Dillon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Dillon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dillon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Dillon (post 1700) +


The Dillon 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: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I hope.


Suggested Readings for the name Dillon +
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