Show ContentsGillborne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Gillborne surname lived in one of three places: Kilbourne, a township, in the parish of Horsley, union of Belper, hundred of Morleston and Litchurch, in Derbyshire; or Kilburn, a hamlet, in Middlesex; or Kilburn, a parish in the North Riding of Yorkshire. 1

It is generally thought that the Yorkshire parish is the oldest as it was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Chileburne. 2 The Middlesex (Greater London) parish dates back to c. 1130 when it was known as Cuneburna and finally the Derbyshire parish was known as Kileburn in 1179. All were derived from the Old English "stream by a kiln 3 or "stream of a man called Cylla." 4

Early Origins of the Gillborne family

The surname Gillborne was first found in Derbyshire where Ralph le Kylburn was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 5

A few years later in 1284, Richard de Killeburne was listed in Yorkshire and later again, Thomas de Kilburn was similarly listed there in 1305. 6

Early History of the Gillborne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gillborne research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1576, 1587, 1605, 1623, 1626, 1746 and 1807 are included under the topic Early Gillborne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gillborne Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Gillborne are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Gillborne include: Kilborne, Kilbourn, Kilbourne, Kilburn, Kilburne and others.

Early Notables of the Gillborne family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gillborne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gillborne family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Gillborne or a variant listed above: Thomas and his wife Frances Kilborne along with children Margaret, Lydia, Joe, Francis, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, George, and Thomas, settled in Boston in 1634.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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