Surname Gillson - Meaning and Origin

Gillson: What does the surname Gillson mean?

The last name Gillson is of Old Norse origin, derived from the personal name "Gill" about 1000 years ago. The "-son" suffix appended to the name signifies "son of," making it a patronymic surname, common in Scandinavia. So Gillson would translate to "son of Gill." As peoples from these parts moved to other regions of the world, such as the British Isles, during the period of the Vikings, they brought these names along with them. "Gill" as a personal name could be derived from "gil," which means "ravine" in Old Norse, or it could also come from "Gilla," a common personal name among Viking settlers. With no definitive source of the "Gill," it leaves the exact interpretation open to speculation. However, be it the case of "ravine" or "Gilla," the Gillson name carries history and tells a tale of ancestral lineage.

Gillson: Where does the name Gillson come from?

The surname Gillson is of English origin. It is a patronymic form of the personal name "Gill", which is a common shortened form of various names such as Gilbert, Giles, or Julian. The suffix "-son" in Gillson means "son of", hence, Gillson would translate as "son of Gill". The surname is believed to have been first found in Yorkshire, England. Surnames started becoming necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, also known as Poll Tax in the late Middle Ages. Like many British surnames, Gillson has evolved over the centuries with different spellings including Gillison, Gillson, Gillisonn, and other variations before settling on its present form. The widespread use of this surname is less common today, yet there are a number of individuals globally who carry this particular surname. Even though it originates from England, it had become more widespread as a result of global migration and can be found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as well as in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Gillson

The surname Gillson originates from Northern England and Scotland. It is mainly a patronymic surname, meaning 'son of Gill', where 'Gill' is a short form of the personal name 'Gilbert'. It's worth noting that the spelling of surnames could change substantially over generations due to factors including illiteracy and phonetic spelling, regional accents, and cultural assimilation.

The alternate spellings for Gillson include Gilson, Gyllson, Gylson, and Gellson. There are also similar or related surnames that may originate from the same root or have merged over time such as Gilston, Giltson, Gelson, Gillison, Gilison and Jilson.

Additionally, there are other surnames deriving from the name 'Gilbert' which may be related, such as Gibson, Gibbs, Gilbertson, and Gibbon.

However, it's important to remember that surnames can have multiple origins, so individuals with these surnames may not necessarily share genetic or familial ties. Genealogical and DNA testing can help provide a more accurate family history.

Famous people with the name Gillson

• Thomas Gilson, Canadian politician
• David Gilson, British artist
• Steven Gilson, American animation pioneer
• William Gilson, American politician
• Robert Gilson, English poet and soldier
• Jodi Gilson, American actor
• Elizabeth Gilson, American artist
• Michael Gilson, American molecular biologist
• Jared Gilson, American fashion designer
• Jerry Gilson, American songwriter and musician

Other surnames

Gills