The Gillilan surname is a reduced Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Mac Gille Fhaoláin, which means "son of the servant of St Faolán." While the name may have originated in
Ireland, this line was extant by the beginning of the 17th century, only to find many of the family to return to
Ireland about 100 years later with the
Plantation of Ulster.
Early Origins of the Gillilan family
The surname Gillilan was first found in
Midlothian, where Gilbert McGillelane or McGillolane was listed as captain of
Clan Connan of
Galloway during the reign of David II (1324-1371). Also during this time, Ingeram M'Gillelan held a lease of lands in the barony of Redcastle in 1372.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Early History of the Gillilan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gillilan research.
Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1667, 1735, 1731, 1735, and 1847 are included under the topic Early Gillilan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Gillilan Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Gilleland, Gillieland, Gillsland, Gilsland, Gillesland, Gillerlaine, Gillerland, Gillisland, Gillan, Gillander, Gilander, MacGillanders and many more.
Early Notables of the Gillilan family (pre 1700)
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gillilan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Gillilan family to Ireland
Some of the Gillilan family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 241 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Gillilan family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Gillilan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Wm. H. Gillilan, aged 40, who emigrated to the United States, in 1894
- W. H. Gillilan, aged 34, who landed in America, in 1896
Gillilan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- William Gillilan, aged 59, who settled in America from London, in 1905
- Edward Gibson Gillilan, aged 25, who emigrated to the United States from London, in 1905
- Hannah Gillilan, aged 19, who emigrated to the United States from Salsburgh, Scotland, in 1910
- Samuel Gillilan, aged 20, who landed in America from Musselburgh, Scotland, in 1910
- Jake Gillilan, aged 45, who emigrated to America, in 1918
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Contemporary Notables of the name Gillilan (post 1700)
- Strickland Gillilan (1869-1954), American poet and humorist, best known for his poem The Reading Mother