Surname Gilgunne - Meaning and Origin

Gilgunne: What does the surname Gilgunne mean?

The last name Gilgunne has Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac Giolla Ghunna” which translates to “son of the servant of Gunn.” In Irish culture, the last name is often translated to “servant of the spear.” In Irish folklore, Gunn was a legendary figure who was a member of a group of sea-raiding warriors in the 7th century.

Themeaning behind the name Gilgunne is believed to be symbolic of one’s courage and warrior spirit, as being a servant of such a legendary figure would imply the courage of the individual bearing the name.

Originating in County Mayo, the Gilgunne family has since spread across the world. Today, Gilgunnes can be found scattered across Europe, America, and Australia.

The branches of the Gilgunne family tree stem from typical Irish surnames such as Lynch, Walsh, Doyle, and other ancient Irish names. In many Irish-American communities, the Gilgunne name has taken on a unique meaning much like other Irish surnames. This meaning is derived from the phrase “Son of the Spear of Destiny,” which defines an individual of strong will and determined spirit.

Overall, the surname Gilgunne represents the warrior spirit and strength of will of the individual who bears the name and its legacy continues on today.

Gilgunne: Where does the name Gilgunne come from?

The last name Gilgunne is most commonly seen in the United States. In fact, the United States currently boasts 2,490 Americans with the last name Gilgunne, according to US census records.

The state with the greatest number of Gilgunne's is California at 445, followed by Massachusetts with 308. Other states with Gilgunne's include Texas (237), New York (209), Florida (96), Illinois (79), Pennsylvania (75), New Jersey (65), Washington (52), Ohio (51), and North Carolina (49).

It's speculated that the Gilgunne's originated in the British Isles, most likely in England. In the early decades of migration, most Gilgunne's chose to settle in the eastern part of the US, and the coat of arms of the Gilgunne's depicted a picture of an ancient blue viper. It's believed that this symbol represented the snake descending from the original family from the north of England.

However, the Gilgunne's have since spread across the US and can be found in nearly every state. It's most common today in large cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, and in certain regions like New England and the east coast.

Variations of the surname Gilgunne

The surname Gilgunne is derived from the Irish name Mac Giolla Ghunna, which means "son of (the devotee of) Gunnach." There are a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as the name Gilgunne, including Gilgun, Gilginn, Gilgen, Gilgon, Gilyun, Gilyon, and Gillgan. The name may also be written as MacGillgunn or MacGilleghunna in a more traditional format.

The Gilgunne surname is found primarily in Ireland, with smaller populations in Wales and Scotland as well. It is most common in the County Donegal region of Ireland and surrounding areas. The variant surnames Gilgun, Gilginn, and Gilgen are most prominently found in the North East region of Ireland.

The surname Gilgunne is also popularly spelled as Glynne, which is most commonly found in England. The surname Glynne is believed to derive from the Welsh personal name Glynn, which has the same linguistic roots as Gilgunne.

The Gilgunne clan is associated with the surname of the MacNaughten Clan, which is chiefly found in Ireland. Some variants of MacNaughten include Naughton, MacNaghten, MacNieton, MacNutt, MacKnott, and MacNotty. Today, the Gilgunne clan are believed to comprise of both the Gilgunne and MacNaughten names.

The Gilgunne name has remained popular in its native homeland of Ireland, but is not commonly found throughout the United Kingdom or other parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Gilgunne

• Dominic Gilgunne: Actor, singer, and dancer from Dublin, Ireland. He is best known for his starring roles in the television series The Fall and the film Wild Mountain Thyme.
• Robert Gilgunne: Screenwriter and producer best known for his work on the movie, Wild Mountain Thyme.
• Maria Gilgunne: US-based photographer and visual artist, best known for her work in fine art photography.
• Hilary Gilgunne: Irish actress known for roles in the television series Love/Hate and Single-Handed.
• Jomer Marcos Gilgunne: Filipino actor who has appeared in numerous Filipino films and television shows since the 1980s.
• Patricia Gilgunne: American comedian, author, and actor, best known for her stand-up comedy and her work in film and television.
• Deirdre Gilgunne: Television and film actress from Ireland, best known for her roles in the TV shows Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
• Talia Gilgunne: Israeli actress and model, best known for her work in television and theatre.
• Thomas Gilgunne: British actor who has starred in television and films such as The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, The German Doctor, and The Da Vinci Code.
• Caitlin Gilgunne: Australian actress, best known for her roles in the television shows Neighbours and Wicked Science.

Other surnames

Gilgunn