Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Gilpin

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Gilpin?

The surname Gilpin has Anglo-Saxon origins and is derived from a place name meaning "Gyp's valley" or "valley where gyp (a kind of clay) is dug". This place name can be found in several counties of England, such as Cheshire, Derbyshire, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Staffordshire, and Yorkshire. The first recorded spelling of the name Gilpin appears to be that of Adam de Gyllypyn, which was dated 1273 in the "Hundred Rolls" for the county of Lancashire during the reign of King Edward I.

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

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.