Surname Hillan - Meaning and Origin
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Hillan: What does the surname Hillan mean?
The last name Hillan is an anglicized version of the Gaelic or Irish surname Ó Glúnghaile, derived from the Gaelic words “glúin” meaning “knee” and “gail” meaning “valley”. This indicates that the origin of the surname is from an ancestor that lived in or near a valley. It is likely that the ancestor was a major landholder in the area, as the Irish language often used natural features for family names and the surname itself would indicate the Clan or Sept of the Hillan family.
The surname Hillan is mainly found in counties Tyrone and Derry in Northern Ireland and also scattered around other parts of the country. It is likely that the Hillan families were originally found in the eastern part of County Tyrone but spread over time to other counties.
The Hillan family may have also been linked to areas of Kilkeel, Banbridge and Kilkeel, again all in County Down. There has been a Hillan family from Kilkeel since at least the 1600s and the surname can still be found in the area today.
The Hillan family has been associated with several notable locations and events in the history of Ireland, including the Battle of the Boyne, the Battle of the Somme and even the American Revolution. The name is also part of the history of the United States as, between 1846-1850, many of the Hillans left their homeland and settled in America, mostly in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
The Hillan name is an important part of Irish history and culture, representing a family's journey across centuries, countries and continents.
Order DNA origin analysisHillan: Where does the name Hillan come from?
The last name Hillan is widely distributed throughout the world today. In the United States, Hillan is most common in the Midwest, followed by the South, West, and Northeast. The highest concentration is in Illinois, where the name is ranked #1234 in terms of popularity. Hillan is also quite common in England, as it is ranked #2597 in terms of popularity in that country. Additionally, Hillan can be found in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Canada, Australia, India, and many other countries around the world.
Within the United States, many individuals of this surname are found in areas such as Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. In Illinois, many Hillans live in places like Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield.
The Hillan surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and was likely an occupational surname for someone who worked in a hill or on a hill. It may be derived from the Old English word “hyll”, which meant a kind of hill. This name likely originated in the north of England. The spelling of the Hillan name also varied in different regions; variations have included Hillan, Hilan, Hillens, Hillon, Hillans, and Hillen.
Given its broad geographical spread today, it is clear that the surname Hillan is a popular surname that is widely distributed.
Variations of the surname Hillan
The surname Hillan is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Hilan or Hilane (said to come from William or Willem, related to 'will' and 'helmet'). It can be found as Hillan, Hilland, Hillanback, Hillenburg, Hillenbrand, Hillenburger, Hillenkamp, Hiller, Hillerback, Hillerman, Hillers, Hilling, Hillinger, Hillinghoff, Hillings, Hillman, Hillmann, Hillmon and Hillon.
The spelling Hillan is most commonly found in Northern and Eastern European countries such as Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Russia, and Sweden, where it is also known as Hiller, Hillerback, Hillerbrand, and Hillenkamp. In some Scandinavian countries, the name can also be spelt Hillmon. In the United Kingdom, Hillenbrand and Hillerman are considered variant spellings.
In addition to these variations, the name Hillan has also been altered over time. For example, in the United States, it is sometimes found written as Hillman or Hillmann, while in other countries such as Australia or New Zealand, it is spelled Hillenbrand.
The Hillan surname has many variations, depending on region and time. Each spelling has its own subtle nuances and origin stories, each worth exploring in its own right. No matter which spelling of the surname a person chooses, they are guaranteed to have an illustrious past, one steeped in courage and strength.
Famous people with the name Hillan
- Meggie Hillan: Australian model, actress, and social media star
- Lynne Hillenbrand: American author and historian
- Tyrese Hillan: British singer and songwriter
- Helena Hillan: British musician and composer
- Dean Hillan: American film and television actor
- Antoine Hillan: French model
- James Hillan: British former professional footballer
- Bill Hillan: Australian sports commentator
- Ryan Hillan: American professional hockey player
- Kyle Hillan: Canadian racing driver