Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Gillespie

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Gillespie?

The surname Gillespie is of Scottish and Irish origin. It derives from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Easbuig, which translates to "son of the servant of God's grace." In Scotland, it is most commonly found in the region of Strathclyde while in Ireland, it is more prevalent in County Antrim and Down. The name was anglicized over time to various forms including Gillespie, Gilspie, and others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gillespie

The meaning and origin of the last name Gillespie

The surname Gillespie is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the given name Gilys or Giles, which is a variant of the biblical name Jules or Julian. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone who played the role of St. Jude in mystery plays, as "Gilys" was a form of that saint's name. In Ireland, it may have originated as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O Giolla Easpura or Mac Giolla Iosa, which mean 'son of the servant of God' or 'son of the servant of Jesus', respectively. Over time, various spelling variations have arisen for the surname Gillespie, such as Gillespie, Gilaspie, and Guillespie.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gillespie

The surname Gillespie is predominantly of Scottish origin and is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in areas such as Strathclyde, Fife, and the Scottish Borders. The name is a variation of the Gaelic MacGilleSpaiseach, which means "son of the servant of St. James." Over time, various spelling variations have emerged, including Gilliespie, Gillespey, and others. The Gillespies were traditionally associated with the Clan Douglas and the Stewart kings. Beyond Scotland, significant populations of people bearing this name can also be found in Ireland, England, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, due to historical migrations, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the United States, the highest concentrations are found in states such as Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gillespie

The surname Gillespie has various spellings and variations, some of which include:

1. Gillespie
2. Gilespie
3. Gyllespie
4. Guil espie
5. MacGillispie
6. MacGillespie
7. MacGillepsie
8. McGillispy
9. McGlashpie
10. MacGlashpie
11. MacGliespie
12. MacGuilspie
13. MacIlspie
14. MacIlveen (a Scottish variant)
15. MacGhillespey (an Irish variant).

These variations may stem from regional dialects, transcription errors over time, or different spellings among various branches of the same family. However, it's important to note that while these variants may appear quite distinct, they all share a common origin and etymology as a Scottish name derived from the given name Gilles (Gaelic: Giolla Easpuig) meaning "servant of St. John the Evangelist."

Famous people with the last name Gillespie

Notable individuals with the surname Gillespie include:

1. Dizzy Gillespie (John Birks Gillespie, 1917-1993): An influential American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and singer known for his unique bebop style and scat singing. He was also a composer who popularized tunes like "A Night in Tunisia" and "Manteca."
2. Leon Thomas (Leon Gillespie, 1937-2016): An American vocalist best recognized for his innovative use of vocalese in jazz music. He is famous for singing on Herbie Hancock's Grammy Award-winning album "Maiden Voyage" and for his contributions to the groundbreaking 1966 recording "Espiritual."
3. Kofi Gilespie (b. 1989): A professional American football player who currently plays as a defensive end for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
4. Mary Gillespie (b. 1878 – d. 1952): An American marine biologist and artist, she was a pioneer in the field of comparative embryology, particularly known for her work on the development of fish. She published several influential books on marine life and her artwork has been featured in various scientific publications.

Genealogical research on the last name Gillespie

The Gillespie surname is of Scottish origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle French term "Gisel" meaning hostage or guest, and the Gaelic term "seasp" meaning people or race. Early records show that the name was first found in Angus (formerly Forfar) where they held lands and estates in the 13th century. The Clan Gillespie, also known as the Gilleasbuig, were a powerful Highland clan, with their seat at Kildonan Castle on Loch Maree in Ross-shire. Notable figures with the surname include James Gillespie Graham, a prominent Scottish architect, and Alexander Gillespie, a Canadian politician who served as the 15th Premier of Prince Edward Island. The name is also common among Irish families due to Anglo-Norman settlers bringing the name to Ireland in the Middle Ages.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Gil mohammed

Last name • surnames > gil-mohammed

The last name "Gil Mohammed" is likely of Arabic origins. The name "Mohammed" is a common Islamic name, while "Gil" could possibly have Spanish or Hebrew roots.

#2 Gil sab

Last name • surnames > gil-sab

The last name "Gil Sab" is of Spanish origin. "Gil" is a surname derived from the given name of Gilbert, which has Germanic roots meaning "bright pledge" or "bright hostage." The o...

#3 Gil-alves

Last name • surnames > gil-alves

The surname Gil-Alves has roots in Portugal and Spain. In Portuguese, "Gil" is a variation of the personal name Gelásio, which derives from the Latin name Gelasius. This name was ...

#4 Gilabert

Last name • surnames > gilabert

The last name "Gilabert" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the given name "Gilbert," which ultimately comes from the Germanic elements "gil" meaning "bright" or "shining," a...

#5 Gilal

Last name • surnames > gilal

The last name Gilal has its origin in India, specifically among the Maratha people. It is derived from the Marathi word "gil" which means "cat."

#6 Gilamand

Last name • surnames > gilamand

The last name "Gilamand" is of French origin. It is derived from the personal name 'William', which itself comes from the Germanic name "Wilhelm", meaning "will" and "helmet". The ...

#7 Gilane

Last name • surnames > gilane

I'm unable to find specific information on the origin of the last name "Gilane." It is possible that this name may be relatively rare or unique, making it difficult to trace its or...

#8 Gilang

Last name • surnames > gilang

The last name "Gilang" is of Indonesian origin. It is derived from the word "gilang" which means "bright" or "glory" in Indonesian.

#9 Gilaz

Last name • surnames > gilaz

The last name "Gilaz" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the given name "Giles", which comes from the Latin name "Aegidius" meaning "shield-bearer" or "protector".

#10 Gilca

Last name • surnames > gilca

The last name Gilca is of Romanian origin. It is a common surname in Romania and is derived from the word "gilcă," which means "white clay" in Romanian. This surname likely origin...

#11 Gild

Last name • surnames > gild

The surname "Gild" has English origins. It is derived from the Old English word "gilden," meaning "to gild" or "to cover with a thin layer of gold." This surname may have been used...

#12 Gilera

Last name • surnames > gilera

The last name "Gilera" has origins in Italy. It is thought to be a surname of Spanish origin, derived from the personal name "Gillermo", a form of the name "William". Over time, th...

#13 Gilgamesh

Last name • surnames > gilgamesh

The last name "Gilgamesh" is of Sumerian origin. It is derived from the ancient epic poem of "The Epic of Gilgamesh," which is one of the oldest known works of literature. The name...

#14 Gilger

Last name • surnames > gilger

The surname Gilger originates from various regions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from a personal name composed of the elements "Gisil" (a short form of Giselh...

#15 Gilhotra

Last name • surnames > gilhotra

The last name Gilhotra originated from the Indian subcontinent, particularly from the Punjab region. It is a common surname among the Punjabi people.