Gillies Surname

The History and Significance of the Surname Gillies

The surname Gillies is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Ìosa, which means "son of the servant of Jesus." This reflects the strong Christian influence in Scotland during the Middle Ages, when the surname first appeared. The name Gillies is believed to have been originally used as a personal name before becoming a hereditary surname.

Origins of the Gillies Clan

The Gillies clan is one of the oldest and most distinguished clans in Scotland. They are closely associated with the MacDonalds, another prominent Scottish clan. The Gillies were known for their loyalty and bravery in battle, and many of them served as warriors and bodyguards to the Scottish kings. The clan motto, "In hoc signo vinces," which means "By this sign you will conquer," reflects their strong and unwavering commitment to their cause.

Spread of the Gillies Surname

Over the centuries, the Gillies surname spread beyond Scotland to other parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The highest incidence of the surname is in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Scotland and England. This indicates the strong Scottish roots of the Gillies family.

In the United States, the Gillies surname is fairly common, with a significant number of Gillies families residing in states such as Texas, California, and New York. Many of these families can trace their ancestry back to Scottish immigrants who settled in America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In Australia, the Gillies surname is also prevalent, particularly in the states of Victoria and Queensland. Many Australian Gillies families can trace their heritage back to Scottish and Irish immigrants who arrived in Australia during the 19th century.

Similarly, in Canada, the Gillies surname is widespread, with a large number of Gillies families residing in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Many Canadian Gillies families can trace their lineage back to Scottish and English settlers who arrived in Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Notable Individuals with the Surname Gillies

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the surname Gillies who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. One such individual is Sir William Gillies, a renowned Scottish painter known for his landscape and portrait paintings. Sir William Gillies was a leading figure in the Scottish art scene in the 20th century and played a crucial role in the development of modern Scottish painting.

Another notable individual with the surname Gillies is John Gillies, a prominent Scottish historian and biographer. John Gillies was known for his meticulous research and scholarly writings on ancient Greek and Roman history. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of classical studies.

Additionally, there have been several athletes with the surname Gillies who have achieved success in their respective sports. One such individual is Clark Gillies, a former professional ice hockey player who won four Stanley Cup championships with the New York Islanders in the 1980s. Clark Gillies was known for his physical style of play and leadership on and off the ice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Gillies has a rich and storied history that spans centuries and continents. From its origins in Scotland to its spread to other parts of the world, the Gillies family has left a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated today. Whether as warriors, artists, historians, or athletes, individuals with the surname Gillies have made significant contributions to society and have helped shape the world in which we live.

The surname Gillies in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is achievable to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same takes place in the case of Gillies, which as you are able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname which can be found in the majority of the countries of this globe. In the same way you will find nations in which certainly the thickness of individuals with all the surname Gillies is more than in other countries.

The map of this Gillies surname

View Gillies surname map

The chance of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Gillies in the world, helps us a lot. By putting ourselves in the map, for a tangible country, we are able to understand tangible number of people with all the surname Gillies, to have this way the complete information of all the Gillies that one can presently find in that country. All this also assists us to comprehend not only in which the surname Gillies originates from, but also in what way the folks who're initially an element of the household that bears the surname Gillies have moved and moved. In the same manner, you are able to see by which places they have settled and developed, and that's why if Gillies is our surname, it appears interesting to which other countries of the world it will be possible any particular one of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Gillies in the world

  1. Scotland Scotland (4393)
  2. United States United States (4002)
  3. Australia Australia (3773)
  4. Canada Canada (3414)
  5. England England (2918)
  6. New Zealand New Zealand (1155)
  7. South Africa South Africa (502)
  8. Jamaica Jamaica (202)
  9. Nigeria Nigeria (130)
  10. Wales Wales (101)
  11. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (95)
  12. Singapore Singapore (65)
  13. Philippines Philippines (43)
  14. Germany Germany (37)
  15. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (25)
  16. Ireland Ireland (24)
  17. Spain Spain (24)
  18. Brazil Brazil (21)
  19. Netherlands Netherlands (21)
  20. Chile Chile (17)
  21. Norway Norway (11)
  22. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (11)
  23. Jersey Jersey (10)
  24. France France (9)
  25. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (9)
  26. Bermuda Bermuda (7)
  27. Sweden Sweden (7)
  28. Argentina Argentina (6)
  29. China China (5)
  30. Russia Russia (5)
  31. Greece Greece (4)
  32. Switzerland Switzerland (3)
  33. Thailand Thailand (3)
  34. Isle of Man Isle of Man (2)
  35. India India (2)
  36. Italy Italy (2)
  37. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (2)
  38. Japan Japan (2)
  39. Malaysia Malaysia (2)
  40. Costa Rica Costa Rica (2)
  41. Cape Verde Cape Verde (2)
  42. Czech Republic Czech Republic (2)
  43. Croatia Croatia (2)
  44. Taiwan Taiwan (1)
  45. Israel Israel (1)
  46. Tanzania Tanzania (1)
  47. Ukraine Ukraine (1)
  48. Uruguay Uruguay (1)
  49. Vietnam Vietnam (1)
  50. Jordan Jordan (1)
  51. Aruba Aruba (1)
  52. Kenya Kenya (1)
  53. Bahrain Bahrain (1)
  54. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (1)
  55. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (1)
  56. Laos Laos (1)
  57. Luxembourg Luxembourg (1)
  58. Myanmar Myanmar (1)
  59. Cook Islands Cook Islands (1)
  60. Mexico Mexico (1)
  61. Namibia Namibia (1)
  62. Cyprus Cyprus (1)
  63. Panama Panama (1)
  64. Ecuador Ecuador (1)
  65. Tonga Tonga (1)
  66. Turkey Turkey (1)
  67. Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau (1)