Surname Gilcrease - Meaning and Origin
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Gilcrease: What does the surname Gilcrease mean?
The surname Gilcrease is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Chríost," which translates to "son of the servant of Christ." This surname originates from a description of a religious man or someone who was employed in a religious capacity. In the ancient Irish society, it is typical for surnames to reflect one's profession, social status, or place of residence. Many also have religious connotations, reflecting the influence of Christianity in the region. Therefore, the Gilcrease surname likely refers to families who were involved in the church or religious activities in some way. It should be noted that interpretations of surnames are not exact, as names can evolve and change over time, often obscuring their original meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisGilcrease: Where does the name Gilcrease come from?
The surname Gilcrease is believed to be of Irish origin, possibly derived from the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Chríost, meaning "son of the servant of Christ". It appears to have undergone various changes and adaptations over time before becoming anglicized as Gilcrease.
In terms of its current distribution, the United States seems to be the country where the surname Gilcrease most commonly exists today, particularly in the southern states. Specifically, Texas and Oklahoma are states where you will find a higher occurrence of the surname. The Gilcrease Museum, an American art museum located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is also a notable association with the name, founded by Thomas Gilcrease, an oilman and art collector. However, it's important to note, while more frequent in these locales, the surname Gilcrease is still fairly rare in general use overall.
Variations of the surname Gilcrease
The surname Gilcrease could have several variations in spelling and potentially related surnames. Some possible variants could include Gilcreast, Gillcrease, Gillcreast, Gilcrese, Gilcreas, Gilcrest, and Gilcrist.
Slight modifications in the original surname could potentially yield more variations, especially since spelling was not standardized until the 19th century and some individuals may have changed their name's spelling for various purposes such as to appear more British.
There's also a possibility that Gilcrease could have evolved from other surnames. If the name is of Scottish origin, it could be a variant of the surnames Gillespie or Gilchrist. If of Irish descent, it could be related to the surnames Gilroy, Gilchrist, or even Kilcrease, due to the similarities in pronunciation.
However, tracing the exact origin of a surname could be quite challenging and would require detailed genealogical research. It can also be difficult to definitively link variations in spelling or related surnames without concrete historical evidence.
Famous people with the name Gilcrease
Thomas Gilcrease is perhaps the most notable individual with the surname Gilcrease. Born on February 8, 1890, Thomas was an American oilman, art collector and philanthropist. He founded the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma which houses an extensive collection of art of the American West, as well as historical manuscripts and artifacts. His collection of Native American art and artifacts is considered one of the most comprehensive in the world. Despite his significant accomplishments, there are not many famous individuals with the last name Gilcrease. This might be because it is not a common surname.