Last Name Gilpin

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gilpin

The meaning and origin of the last name Gilpin

The surname Gilpin originates from England and Ireland. It is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Giobhuin or Ó Geibheannain, which means "descendant of Giobha, the little smith" or "descendant of Geibhin, the smith." The Gilpin family was traditionally associated with the blacksmith trade and may have originated from the counties of Limerick or Tipperary in Ireland. In England, the name is a variant of Gilbert, which comes from the Germanic element 'gisil' meaning "pledge" or "hostage," and 'berht' meaning "bright" or "famous." The Gilpin family migrated to various parts of England during the Middle Ages and was well-represented in regions such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire. The surname Gilpin is relatively common in both Ireland and England, and its bearers have made significant contributions in a variety of fields, including politics, literature, and science.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gilpin

The surname Gilpin has its roots in several regions, primarily in England and Ireland, reflecting historical migration patterns. In England, it is most prevalent in the North West, particularly in Lancashire and Cumbria, where it is believed to have originated from villages like Gilpin's Bridge or Gilpin's Cross. In Ireland, it is common in counties such as Antrim, Down, and Armagh, suggesting a possible Norman or Anglo-Irish influence during the Middle Ages. The name has also been found in Scotland, Wales, and to a lesser extent, other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to emigration and colonization over centuries. Today, Gilpin is ranked among the top 20,000 surnames worldwide, with concentrations of bearers in the United Kingdom, United States, and Ireland.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gilpin

The surname Gilpin has several variations and spellings, some of which include:

1. Gilpin: This is the most common spelling, originating from England. It derives from the Middle English 'gilpe' or 'gilpyn', a nickname for someone with a red or yellow face.

2. Gylpin: This variation features an alternate spelling of the 'y' in Gilpin.

3. Gyllpin: Another version of the name with a double 'l'.

4. Jilpin: A less common variant, which may have evolved due to phonetic changes over time or regional dialects.

5. Gellupin: This is an interesting variation that might have come about as a result of misinterpretation or scribal errors in old records.

6. Gilpence: A rare version where 'pin' has been replaced with 'pence', potentially indicating an occupation related to money.

7. Gylpyn, Gillupin, Jilpyn, etc.: These variations represent the evolution of Gilpin through different phonetic and orthographic changes over time in various regions.

Famous people with the last name Gilpin

Notable individuals with the surname Gilpin include:

1. William Gilpin (1724-1804), an English clergyman and writer who is considered one of the founders of aesthetic theory in England, and is best known for his influential work "Three Essays: Upon Sculpture, Painting, and Poetry" (1798).

2. William Gilpin (1756-1837), an American landscape painter, engraver, and author, most famous for his series of books called "The American Scenery," which featured scenic vistas from the newly developed United States.

3. Loretta Swit (born 1937), a Canadian-American actress best known for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan in the television series M*A*S*H, which ran from 1972 to 1983.

4. John Gilpin (fl. 1689-1692), a character created by poet William Cowper, who is the protagonist of Cowper's long poem "The Task." The titular character embarks on an overly elaborate journey to retrieve his runaway wife, and the poem satirizes the excesses of Restoration England.

5. Toni Gilpin (born 1960), a New Zealand writer, journalist, and author of "A Hundred Feet Over the Ground" (2007), a memoir about her son's life-threatening illness and his eventual recovery.

Genealogical research on the last name Gilpin

The Gilpin surname, originating from Old Norse and Gaelic roots, is believed to have initially emerged among the Vikings and Scottish clans. In Old Norse, 'Gil' means 'small' or 'young', and 'Porisson' refers to 'son of Thrór'; this combination could suggest 'Young Thrór's son'. The name evolved over time in Scotland, with variants such as MacGillapin, Gilpin, and Gillespie. Notable individuals bearing the name include Sir John Gilpin, a 18th-century poet, and Thomas Gilpin, an American judge who served on the New Jersey Supreme Court. The Gilpins are primarily found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, with significant populations in the counties of Cumbria, Durham, and Northumberland in England, and Pennsylvania in the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Gilpin"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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 : 11 June 2025