Surname Gilliatt - Meaning and Origin

Gilliatt: What does the surname Gilliatt mean?

The last name Gilliatt is of Old French origin, though there is disagreement among experts about its specific meaning. Some genealogical research suggests that it may be derived from the Old French words "guille," which means "crafty" or "wily," and "att," which might be a diminutive suffix, thus forming a nickname for a crafty or wily person. However, other sources propose that it could be a version of the Anglo-Norman French personal name "Guillot," which is the diminutive form of "Guillaume," the French equivalent of William. It is also found as a place name in the Channel Islands in the form of “La Villiau Guillot,” suggesting geographical origins. Complicating the issue further is the fact that, like many surnames, Gilliatt has likely evolved over time and may have varied in spelling and pronunciation, making its roots difficult to pinpoint. As such, without definitive historical sources providing an exact meaning, the interpretation of the last name Gilliatt remains speculative.

Gilliatt: Where does the name Gilliatt come from?

The surname Gilliatt is of Old Norse origin, specifically derived from the personal name 'Gilliat.' The name was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066; its earliest records are from Lincolnshire, in the East Midlands of England. The name is believed to be a combination of two elements: 'gísl,' meaning 'hostage' or 'pledge,' and 'hvatr,' meaning 'brave or daring.' Therefore, the implied meaning of Gilliatt is a 'daring pledge' or a 'brave hostage.'

Today, the name is not particularly common but is found most frequently in English-speaking countries, primarily in the United Kingdom. It's also found to some extent in former British colonies such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. Despite its relative rarity, there are still notable people with this surname, such as the 19th-century English engineer and inventor Sir William Gilliatt.

Variations of the surname Gilliatt

The surname Gilliatt is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a topographical name for someone who lived near a "gylde," an Old English term for a guild-hall. Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Gilliat, Gilliott, Gillot, Gillott, Gillett, Gillet, and Gylliott. The name was often used as a personal name during the Middle Ages, giving rise to several surnames such as Gill, Gills, Gell, and Gilles.

Surnames sharing similar derivations include Gillett, which evolved from the medieval personal name Giles, meaning 'a young goat,' and Gallett, a diminutive version of the same name. Gilletson and Gilson are patronymic surnames that mean 'son of Giles'. Gelett, another form of Gillett or Giles, is less common.

More variant spellings of Gilliatt might essentially be due to an act of the individuals themselves or the officials who documented the names, considering the influence of dialects and accents back in centuries. Furthermore, process of anglicization of non-english names might have further added to the variants.

Variations of the surname Gilliatt may appear distinctly different but share common roots and meanings, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of names over time and across geographical areas.

Famous people with the name Gilliatt

• Stephen Gilliatt: a British film critic and screenwriter best known for penning the script for the 1987 movie "Hope and Glory".
• Richard Gilliatt: an English novelist, playwright, and poet.
• Frida Gilliatt: an Austrian still life photographer.
• Karen Gilliatt: the first female Olympic modern pentathlon champion.
• Karen Gilliatt-Smith: a British dressmaker and theatrical costume designer.
• Terry Gilliatt: a British artist and sculptor.
• Nathan Gilliatt: a former professional box lacrosse player.
• John Gilliatt: a former Royal Marine officer who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his bravery in the Battle of Iwo Jima, during the Second World War.
• David Gilliatt: a former professional snooker player.
• Elizabeth Gilliatt: a British marine biologist and the first woman ecologist on the British Geological Survey.

Other surnames

GilliamGilliat