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![Show Contents]() Gilligate History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Gilligate reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Gilligate family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Gilligate is based on a diminution of the medieval given name Giles. That name is derived from the Greek aigidion, which means kid, or young goat. 1 "In England there are numerous families who write their name Gillett and Gillot, all of French extraction." 2 "Oxfordshire is now the principal home of the Gilletts, but the name is also found in Kent. In Lincolnshire the name is represented by Gilliart, Gilliatt, and Gillyatt." 3 "The family may have come with William the Conqueror into England, from Gillette, a town in Piedmont, France. Gillette, the son of Giles." 4 Early Origins of the Gilligate familyThe surname Gilligate was first found in Oxfordshire, but also many other shires throughout ancient Britain. Listed as both a forename and surname in many early rolls, the name quickly spread. This tradition continued even until the 14th century where the Yorkshire Polls Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Thomas Taylour et Gillot uxor ejus; Robertus Lyster et Gillot' uxor ejus; Gillote Fox; Johannes Gilotson; Willelmus Gilliote; Johannes Undyrhyll et Gyllot' uxor ejus; Willelmus Gehot; and Johannes Gylyott. 5 Early History of the Gilligate familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilligate research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gilligate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gilligate Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Gilligate has been recorded under many different variations, including Gillette, Gilliott, Gillet, Gillott, Gillett and others. Early Notables of the Gilligate familyMore information is included under the topic Early Gilligate Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Gilligate familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Gilligates were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Jonathan and Nathan Gillett sailed in the " John and Mary" and settled in Dorchester in 1635 where they became Freemen. Joseph Gillott arrived in New York State in 1830..
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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