Contents [hide]

Gilmour History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Gilmour History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancestors of the Gilmour family lived among the Strathclyde-Briton people in the Scottish/English Borderlands. It is a name for a devotee of the Virgin Mary. Looking back further, we find the name Gilmour 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 Gilmour family

The surname Gilmour 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 Gilmour family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilmour 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 Gilmour History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilmour Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Gilmour has been spelled Gilmour, Gilmore, Gilmur, Gilmor, Gilmer, Gilmoore and many more.

Early Notables of the Gilmour 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...

Gilmour World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gilmour is the 13,056^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Gilmour is ranked the 961^st most popular surname with an estimated 4,124 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Gilmour is the 683^rd popular surname with an estimated 1,039 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Gilmour as 925^th with 7,476 people. 8

Migration of the Gilmour family to Ireland

Some of the Gilmour 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.

Gilmour migration to the United States +

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them:

Gilmour Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Gilmour, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 9

Gilmour Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Gilmour, aged 45, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774 9

Gilmour Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ann Gilmour, aged 15, who landed in Delaware in 1803 9
Samuel Gilmour, aged 20, who landed in Delaware in 1803 9
John Gilmour, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 9
Mary Gilmour, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 9
Patrick Gilmour, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1813 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gilmour migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gilmour Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Catharine Gilmour, aged 38, who arrived in Quebec in 1821
James Gilmour, who landed in Canada in 1821
Jane Gilmour, aged 23, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
Nancy Gilmour, aged 20, who arrived in Quebec in 1834
Robert Gilmour, aged 35, a weaver, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Quebec" from Glasgow, Scotland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gilmour migration to Australia +

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

Gilmour Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Agnes Gilmour, (McGilvray), Scottish Convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Christian Gilmour, (McGilvray), Scottish Convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atwick" on 28 September 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
John Gilmour, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1839 11
Mr. William Gilmour, Scottish convict who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 10 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 12
Bernard Gilmour, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harry Lorrequer" in 1849 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gilmour 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:

Gilmour Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Gilmour, British settler, as the 2nd Detachment of New Zealand Corps of Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Minerva" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 8th October 1847 14
Mr. James Gilmour, (b. 1862), aged 4 months, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 14
Mr. John Gilmour, (b. 1836), aged 26, British shepherd travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 14
Mrs. Agnes Gilmour, (b. 1837), aged 25, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 14
Miss Ellen Gilmour, (b. 1839), aged 23, British domestic servant travelling from London aboard the ship "Echunga" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 24th December 1862 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Gilmour (post 1700) +

Doug Gilmour (b. 1963), Canadian NHL hockey player, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2011)
Sir John Gilmour (1912-2007), 3rd Baronet, Scottish Conservative Party politician, Member of Parliament for East Fife (1961 to 1979)
Sir John Gilmour (1876-1940), 2nd Baronet, Scottish Unionist politician, Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Scotland
Sir John Gilmour (1845-1920), 1st Baronet, Scottish Unionist politician
Sir David Robert Gilmour (b. 1952), 4th Baronet, Scottish author
Bill Gilmour (b. 1939), Scottish television director for soap opera Coronation Street
John Ingles Gilmour (b. 1896), Scottish Air Force Major and flying ace in WWI
Sir John Gilmour (1876-1940), Scottish Unionist politician, Member or UK Parliament, and Scottish Secretary of State
Walter Gilmour, Scottish botanist/TV and radio personality
Gary "Gus" John Gilmour (1951-2014), Australian cricketer who played in 15 Tests between 1973 and 1977
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Gilmour 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.

Citations +

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.
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 23rd August 2020 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atwick
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) LYSANDER 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Lysander.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 4th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HARRY LORREQUER 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849HarryLorrequer.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html