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Show ContentsGill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gill Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI
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Etymology of Gill

What does the name Gill mean?

The distinguished surname Gill comes from Spain, a country rich in culture and history. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Spain were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Spanish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century and the most common patronymic suffix is "ez." The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. Some names are derived from the saints of the Christian Church, but many Spanish surnames are derived from personal names of Germanic origin. The Visigoths, who ruled Spain between the mid-5th and early 8th centuries had a profound impact on the development of surnames.

Early Origins of the Gill family

The surname Gill was first found in the mountains of Santander, in the region of Cantabria, in the center north of the peninsula.

Early History of the Gill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gill research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1200 is included under the topic Early Gill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gill Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gil, Gill, Gílez, Gilez, Gíldez, Gildez and others.

Early Notables of the Gill family

Prominent among members of the family thirteenth century author Juan Gil de Zamora; thirteenth century nobleman Roy Gil de Villalobos; sixteenth century Spanish architect Juan Gil de Hontañón, creator of the Gothic cathedrals of Salamanca and Segovia; his son, Rodrigo...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gill World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gill is the 424th most popular surname with an estimated 67,149 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Gill is ranked the 91st most popular surname with an estimated 28,836 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Gill is the 790th popular surname. 3 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Gill as 234th with 189 people. 4 Australia ranks Gill as 200th with 16,331 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Gill as 212nd with 2,679 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Gill as 138th with 36,767 people. 7

Gill migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gill Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Allexander Gill, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Bonnie Bess" 8
  • Arthur Gill, who settled in Maine in 1630
  • Jon Gill, who arrived in Virginia in 1633 8
  • Jo Gill, aged 34, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Paul" 8
  • Mark Gill, aged 22, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gill Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hugh Gill, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
  • kaiak Gill, who landed in Virginia in 1703 8
  • Jos Gill, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 8
  • Frances Gill, who landed in Virginia in 1713 8
  • Henry Gill, who settled in South Carolina in 1716
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gill Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John, Gill Jr., who arrived in New York in 1807 8
  • Matthew Gill, who arrived in New York in 1807 8
  • Arthur Gill, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1807 8
  • George Gill, who landed in New York in 1807 8
  • Anthony Gill, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1811 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gill migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gill Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Patrick Gill, who was a servant in Little Placentia, Newfoundland in 1730 9
  • Michael Gill from Charlestown (New England) was a merchant of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1730 9
  • Capt Gill, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • John Gill from Wimborne, Dorset, was an apprentice at Carbonear in 1777
Gill Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Gill, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Sea Horse" from Galway, Ireland
  • Anne Gill, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Preston" from Sligo, Ireland
  • Rose Gill, aged 3, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Preston" from Sligo, Ireland
  • John Gill, aged 23, a boatman, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
  • Henry Gill, aged 18, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gill migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Gill Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Sarah Gill, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Gill Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Gill, (Stiles), English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. Laurence Gill, (Gills), (b. 1801), aged 19, Irish baker who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1891 12
  • Mr. Martin Gill, (b. 1803), aged 17, Irish silk weaver who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. John Gill who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. William Gill, British Convict who was convicted in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gill Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Reuben Gill, (b. 1889), aged 20, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Whakatane" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 21st January 1910 15

Gill migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Gill Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Gill, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841
  • John Gill, aged 23, a farm labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 16
  • Amelia Gill, aged 33, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 16
  • Frederick Gill, aged 1, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Gertrude" in 1841 16
  • John Gill, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Gill migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 17
Gill Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Gill, (b. 1605), aged 30, British settler traveling aboard the ship "William and John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 18

Contemporary Notables of the name Gill (post 1700) +

  • Tim Gill (b. 1953), American computer software programmer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and LGBTQ rights activist, one of the first openly gay people to be on the Forbes 400 list of America's richest people, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024
  • Bobby Gill (1959-2024), American professional stock car racing driver
  • DeLancey Walker Gill (1859-1940), American drafter, landscape painter, and photographer, best known for his landscape illustrations and watercolors, featuring subjects including Native American pueblos
  • Robert Charles "Bob" Gill (1931-2021), American illustrator and graphic designer, known for his work with Esquire, Architectural Forum, Fortune, Seventeen, and The Nation magazines
  • Riley Gill (b. 1985), American professional ice hockey goaltender
  • Harold Priestley Gill III (b. 1975), American professional NHL ice hockey defenseman
  • Irving John "Jack' Gill (1870-1936), American architect, a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture
  • Eddie Gill (b. 1978), American professional basketball player
  • Johnny Gill (b. 1966), American singer, songwriter and actor
  • Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill (b. 1957), American country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, awarded 18 CMA Awards, 20 Grammy Awards, more than any other male Country music artist
  • ... (Another 112 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. James Philip Gill (d. 1914), British Bedroom Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 19
  • Mr. Nathaniel Gill, British Saloon Pantryman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 19
  • Mr. Martin Gill (1891-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Nelson, British Columbia, Canada who survived the sinking on the Empress of Ireland 20
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Hugh Irwin Goddard Gill, British Sub Lieutenant (A), who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed aboard the HMS Mauritius 21
  • Mr. David Gill, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 21
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Alfred George Gill, British Corporal, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 22
  • Mr. T R V Gill, British Signalman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
  • Mr. Harold Brittan Clifford Gill, British Lieutenant Commander, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 22
HMS Royal Oak
  • Harold William Gill (d. 1939), British Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 23
  • George Edward Gill (1918-1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 23
Lady of the Lake
  • Miss Mary Gill (b. 1818), Irish traveller from Castlebay, Scotland who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Catherine Gill, American 2nd Class passenger from Gillespie, Illinois, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 24
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Joseph Stanley Gill (d. 1912), aged 34, English Bedroom Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 25
  • Mr. Patrick Gill (d. 1912), aged 38, English Ship's Cook from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 25
  • Mr. John William Gill (d. 1912), aged 24, English Second Class passenger from Clevedon, North Somerset England who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 25
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Richard Eugene Gill, American Seaman First Class from Nevada, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26
USS Indianapolis
  • Paul Edward Gill, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 27

Suggested Readings for the name Gill +

  • Baxter-Short, Miller-Gill, and Related Families by Mary Cynthia Harrell.
  • The Descendants of Thomas & Sarah (Bennett) Gill and Related Families, Including English Emigrants, Palatines, Puritans, Mayflower Immigrants, and Royal Lineage by Vivian York Simms.
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  15. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  18. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  19. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  20. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  21. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  22. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  23. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  24. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  25. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  26. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
  27. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew

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