Surname Gilmour - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Genetic Tapestries: A Glimpse into the Gilmour Lineage Through iGENEA DNA Test

In a quest to delve deeper into the roots of my ancestry, I decided to take an iGENEA DNA test. To my amazement, the scientific findings revealed a captivating genetic tapestry interweaving European, Scandinavian, and possible Middle Eastern threads all connected to my surname, 'Gilmour'.

X. Gilmour

Gilmour: What does the surname Gilmour mean?

The surname Gilmour is of Scottish and Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic elements "giolla", meaning servant or lad, and "mór", meaning large or big. Thus, the literal translation of Gilmour is "the big lad". However, in another interpretation, the name Gilmour represents "devotee of the Virgin Mary," as "giolla" referred to a religious servant or devotee and "Mór" was associated with the Virgin Mary in the Medieval period. Such religious significance suggests the name possibly belonged to a family of religious significance in ancient times. Sometimes, the name is also spelled as Gilmore, Gilmur, Gilmor or Gilmer. Like many surnames, Gilmour has geographical associations and is particularly tied to the Scottish regions of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire. It can therefore provide a historical link to those regions. Overall, Gilmour signifies a strong familial and cultural connection to Celtic (especially Scottish) history and heritage.

Gilmour: Where does the name Gilmour come from?

The surname Gilmour is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "Gille Mhoire," which translates to "servant of [the Virgin] Mary." The name was frequently adopted by those living in Argyllshire and Aberdeenshire regions of Scotland. English variants of the name have also emerged, such as Gilmore or Gillmore. Today, the name is common in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and among descendants of Scottish immigrants in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is particularly prevalent in the Strathclyde region of Scotland. Some notable individuals with this surname include the musician David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame and ice hockey player Doug Gilmour. The name illustrates the historical impact of religious devotion in Gaelic-speaking regions, where the appellations often reflected a person's religious or occupational role.

Variations of the surname Gilmour

The surname Gilmour, primarily of Scottish origin, is a variant of the original Gaelic name "Gille Mhoire," which translates to "Servant of Mary." Over centuries and migration, several variations have developed, including different spelling forms and phonetically similar ones.

The most common are Gilmore, Gillmore, Gillmour, Gilmor, Gilmure, Gilmoure, Gilmer, Gilmour, and Glimore. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, you could find surnames like Gilmer and Gillmer which are variations of Gilmour.

Sometimes, the surname's spelling has been altered to match the phonetics of different languages or dialects, such as Guilmour in French-speaking regions. In some cases, there can be a silent 'u' or 'o', leading to variations like Gilmor or Gilmur.

Despite the differences in spelling, all of these variants trace back to the same family origins, bearing a strong historical connection to the Gaelic cultures of the British Isles. Moreover, the changes in spelling provide valuable information about the geographical dispersion and migration paths of individuals with the Gilmour surname over time.

Famous people with the name Gilmour

• David Gilmour: He is a famous English musician and songwriter, known as the guitarist and vocalist of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd.
• Polly Samson: A novelist and lyricist who is married to David Gilmour, making her Polly Gilmour.
• Peter Gilmour: He was a renowned Australian priest who worked for the education and well-being of street children.
• Bob Gilmour: A professional rugby union player from Australia.
• Gary Gilmour: He was an Australian cricketer who was part of the Australian team on two World Cup tournaments.
• Ian Gilmour: He was a British Conservative politician and writer. He served as the Secretary of State for Defence in the UK.
• Jim Gilmour: Canadian artist and keyboardist for the band Saga.
• Cam Gilmour: An Australian drummer who has worked with the bands Behind Crimson Eyes and In Trenches.
• Margaret Gilmour: A renowned British jeweller and metalworker associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement.
• Marty Gilmour: A former professional Australian rules footballer.
• Penelope Gilmour: An Australian hockey player who represented Australia at the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1988.

Other surnames

Gilmore