Surname Gillinghart - Meaning and Origin

Gillinghart: What does the surname Gillinghart mean?

The last name Gillinghart is thought to be of English origin, though the exact meaning is uncertain. It is likely derived from a combination of two words, “gill”, an Old English term meaning “wood” or “grove” and “hart”, which is an Old English term for “stag” or “deer”. Therefore, it is possible that Gillinghart is an anglicized form of a name meaning “woodland deer”.

Gillinghart as a surname is found in records dating to as early as the 13th century in England and appears to have originated in the county of Norfolk. During this era, Gillinghart was mostly found in Norfolk, with records noting that it was a common surname in the county.

The Gillinghart surname is still found today in both its original spelling and various spellings including Gillinhart, Gillinhardt and Gillingharts. Today, descendants of the original bearers of the surname are found in Scandinavia, the British Isles and other parts of Europe, as well as in North America.

Though the exact meaning and specific origins are uncertain, Gillinghart is an ancient surname that captures a pastoral sense of antiquity, evoking the English countryside with imagery of deer in a wood.

Gillinghart: Where does the name Gillinghart come from?

The last name Gillinghart is of English origin and is found concentrated in England. It is most common in the county of Essex, which is located in the East of England, where it is one of the 1,000 most common surnames.

The name is also found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and New York. It is hypothesized that the name was brought to the United States by settlers who arrived between the 1600s and 1700s during the colonial period.

The last name Gillinghart is also found in countries such as Australia, France, Italy, Germany, and Canada. Individuals with the family name likely originate from England, although emigration has contributed to the spread of the name.

Scientists who study genealogy and family history, known as genetic genealogists, use DNA testing to trace ancestry and find out where people with the last name Gillinghart likely descend from.

The Gillinghart family name is still in use today, with descendants who live across the world. There are even websites dedicated to individuals researching the genealogy of this surname.

Variations of the surname Gillinghart

Gillinghart is a well-known surname with variants and spellings including Gimlich, Gillhand, Gillham, Gillingham and Gillahn. The family name appears to have originated from the Old English term ‘gyle’ meaning ‘servant’. In medieval times, the phonetic similarities between ‘gyle’ and ‘ghille’ or ‘geyhnle’ which had similar meanings, could have resulted in the same name becoming associated with different families.

Gille, Gillah, Gillhaus and Gullet are all rare variants of the surname Gillinghart, as is the German spelling Gilchen. Gyllenham and Gillinam are both seen as rare spellings whilst Gillingan is a rare Scottish variant. Gyllon, Gitely and Jillyahn are other rare variants.

The name Gillingham is a traditional Yorkshire name and there are variants including Gillingham and Gellanham. Another well-known alternate spelling of this surname is Gillenham, which can also be spelled Gillam or Gillenham. The English place-name Gillingham is thought to derive from the Old English ‘Gille-ingas’, meaning ‘people of the servant’.

Surnames believed to have descended from the same origin as Gillinghart include Gilg, Gillier, Gillett, Gillettah, Gillman, Gillyhn, Gillies and Gilliland. Gilman is a Scottish variant of Gillingham, whilst Gylman is also seen as a variant of any of the aforementioned spellings. Generally, surnames of this type are related to places, such as Gilper, Gillford, Gillinghale and Gillcross.

Famous people with the name Gillinghart

• William Gillingham: American professional football player who currently plays cornerback for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL).
• Ted Gillingham: American broadcaster and radio personality who hosted the nationally syndicated show “Talk with Ted Gillingham” for 25 years.
• John Gillingham: renowned English medieval historian and professor of history at the University of London.
• Emory Gillingham: American television actor who starred as Jay in the groundbreaking situation comedy “All in the Family".
• Arthur Gillingham: British Olympic fencer who competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
• Jonathan Gillingham: English footballer who currently plays for Southend United in the Football League Two.
• Chris Gillingham: English rugby union player who played for Worcester Warriors and Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership.
• Ben Gillingham-Hamilton: British professional wrestler who currently wrestles for Impact Wrestling under the name “The Highlander”.
• Sarah Gillingham: American novelist and short story writer who has written several books including “The Amateur Marriage” and “I Will Find You”.
• Richard Gillingham: American architect who designed numerous bank buildings in the early 20th century.

Other surnames

GillinghadGillinghamGillinghort