Gillis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gillis

What does the name Gillis mean?

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Gillis family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the Gaelic words “gille Iose,” which means “servant of Jesus.” 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Gillis family

The surname Gillis was first found in Lothian, where a member of the family was a witness to the charter, by King David I, to the Abbey of Holyrood. In 1160, Vhtred Gilise inherited the estates in Lothian. It is also recorded that M. filius Gilise, who was a close confidant of King Malcolm IV of Scotland, was witness to a charter signed at the Abbey of Scone in 1164. 1

Gillis Spelling Variations

In various documents Gillis has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Gillies, Gillis, Gillie, Gilly, Gilles, Gillieson and many more.

Gillis World Ranking

In Canada, the name Gillis is the 481^st most popular surname with an estimated 10,050 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Gillis is ranked the 519^th most popular surname with an estimated 89 people with that name. 5 And in the United States, the name Gillis is the 1,691^st popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 6