McGillian History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The McGillian 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 McGillian family

The surname McGillian 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

Early History of the McGillian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGillian research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1667, 1731, 1735, 1847, 1864 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McGillian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGillian 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 McGillian family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGillian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McGillian family to Ireland

Some of the McGillian family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 127 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGillian migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McGillian Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Berno McGillian, aged 30, who immigrated to America from Perry, in 1898

McGillian Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Eugene F. McGillian, aged 11, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1900
Lauretta McGillian, aged 10, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1900
Mary A. McGillian, who settled in America from Liverpool, in 1900
Kate McGillian, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Draperstrin, Ireland, in 1908

McGillian migration to Australia +

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

McGillian Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Sarah Mcgillian, (b. 1818), aged 19, Irish childs maid who was convicted in County Tyrone, Ireland for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Diamond" on 29th November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

Contemporary Notables of the name McGillian (post 1700) +

Kevin McGillian, Irish traditional musician from Legfordrum, County Tyrone, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Hall of Fame inductee (2001)

Citations +

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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Diamond