Gilmore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


A Strathclyde-Briton family from the Scottish/English Borderlands was the first to use the surname Gilmore. It is a name for a devotee of the Virgin Mary. Looking back further, we find the name Gilmore was originally derived from the Gaelic Gille Moire, which means follower of Mary or servant of Mary. 1

As an occupational name, the family was known as "the bearer of the broadsword to a Scottish chief." 2 or "follower of the chief, one who carried the chief's broadsword, from gille, a servant, and mor, large, great." 3

Early Origins of the Gilmore family

The surname Gilmore was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early records from Cumberland show that between 1133 and 1156, Gilmor, son of Gilander founded the chapelry of Treverman (later Trierman) in the parish of Walton, Cumberland, site of Triermain castle. "The chapel was constructed of wattlework (capetta de virgin), and on its completion Gilmor appointed his kinsman Gillemor to the chaplaincy. These names, it may be mentioned, attest the strong Gaelic influence in Cumberland at that period." 4

Gilmore meaning "Gill the Big" was son of Gillanders the great Chief who lived about 1140.

"Some time before 1144 'Gillemor filius Gilleconel' granted a half mark of silver to the church of S. Machute in Lesmahagow (Kelso, 187). Gillemure Albanach ('the Scot') and Gillemure mac Blancard witnessed the donation of the church of Torpennoth, etc. to Holyrood by Uchtred, Lord of Galloway, between 1153-65." 4

Early History of the Gilmore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilmore research. Another 348 words (25 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1200, 1211, 1250, 1270, 1304, 1316, 1572, 1605, 1628, 1641, 1661, 1671 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gilmore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilmore Spelling Variations

The origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different spelling variations in a single document. Gilmore has been spelled Gilmour, Gilmore, Gilmur, Gilmor, Gilmer, Gilmoore and many more.

Early Notables of the Gilmore family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir John Gilmour of Craigmillar (1605-1671), Lord President of the Court of Session 1661-1671. He was the son of John Gilmour, writer to the signet and was bred to his father's profession, but on 12 Dec. 1628 he was admitted an advocate. "His professional connection lay among the royalist party...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gilmore Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilmore World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gilmore is the 538th most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Gilmore is ranked the 910th most popular surname with an estimated 4,319 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Gilmore is the 874th popular surname with an estimated 839 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Gilmore family to Ireland

Some of the Gilmore family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gilmore migration to the United States +

The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North America. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. Among them:

Gilmore Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Gilmore Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Gilmore migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Gilmore migration to Australia +

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

Gilmore Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Gilmore 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:

Gilmore Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Gilmore (post 1700) +


The Gilmore 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: Perseveranti dabitur
Motto Translation: It will be given to the persevering.


Suggested Readings for the name Gilmore +
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