Gillyard History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Gillyard reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Gillyard family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Gillyard 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 Gillyard familyThe surname Gillyard 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 Gillyard familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gillyard research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gillyard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gillyard Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Gillyard are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Gillyard include Gillette, Gilliott, Gillet, Gillott, Gillett and others. Early Notables of the Gillyard familyMore information is included under the topic Early Gillyard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Gillyard, or a variant listed above: Gillyard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
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