Surname Gillduff - Meaning and Origin
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Gillduff: What does the surname Gillduff mean?
The last name Gillduff is of Scottish origin. It is thought to have derived from two Gaelic words, ‘gall’ meaning ‘stranger’ and ‘dubh’ indicating a black colour. This suggests the combined meaning of 'black stranger' or 'stranger of a dark complexion', a nickname for a foreigner or a person of foreign origin in a Gaelic-speaking community.
The surname could also have come from other origins. 'Gelldhu' is a place in Scotland, derived from a Gaelic word which means ‘dog’s den’, and the surname may be derived from people who lived or worked in this area. The surname may also have been derived from the upload 'Gallduff' which also means ‘dog's den’ in Scots.
So, although the origins are not certain, it seems that the surname Gillduff could have a variety of origins, and each of them indicate a different kind of connection to Scotland and its history. It is likely that no matter what its source, the surname Gillduff is most likely linked to Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisGillduff: Where does the name Gillduff come from?
The surname Gillduff is most commonly found in the United States today. It is of English or Scottish origin, and its first known bearer was Roger de Gilldoff, who was recorded in the 12th century. In the United States, the Gillduff family primarily settled in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Descendants of Gillduffs in the US are found mainly in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as scattered individuals found in other states.
In Scotland, the name is believed to have originated from the area of Dumfries and Galloway, near the Scottish Borders. The spelling of the name has changed through the centuries, with some spelling variants such as Giloquh, Gildoff and Gilldoiff. Those bearing the name today can be found throughout Britain, with the highest concentrations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Scottish Borders as well as around Dumfries & Galloway. The name is also common in Ireland, where it was originally brought to the country by Scottish settlers.
The surname is relatively uncommon in other parts of the world though there are some branches of the Gillduff family in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also found in small numbers in South Africa, France and the United States.
Variations of the surname Gillduff
The surname Gillduff has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Gilduff, Gillduffe, Gilduffy, Gildoff, Gilduff, Gildoffe, Gildeduffe, Gildedoffe, and Gilgedoffe.
Gilduff is the most common variation of the surname, and it can be found in records from many countries throughout the world. It is derived from an old Irish Gaelic term, translated roughly as “oak grove” or “place of abundance”.
The spelling of “Gillduffe” is an anglicized version of the original Gaelic. It is more commonly found in parts of Scotland and possibly in other countries where the English language is spoken.
The spelling “Gilduffy” is likely a combination of the original Gaelic with the prefix “Gil”, which is the Gaelic term for “servant”. This variation of the surname has been found in some parts of Ireland and Scotland.
Gildoff is a variation of the original with the suffixes “-off” or “-offe” replacing the “d”. This spelling is found in records from Ireland, United States, and some other countries.
The suffixes “-duff” and “-duffe” both suggest variations of the original spelling, and both are used in many countries throughout the world.
Finally, the suffix “-gedoffe” appears to be a German version of the Gaelic original spelling. It has been found used in some parts of Germany, Austria, and other German speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Gillduff
- Reichen Lehmkuhl: American actor, model and reality TV star
- Graham Gillduff: English cricketer
- Demetrius Gillduff: Scottish rugby player
- Chanel Gillduff: Australian television presenter
- Richard Gillduff: English satirist and actor
- Robert Gillduff: American professional football player
- Samuel Gillduff: British playwright
- Richard Gillduff: English chocolatier
- Elizabeth Gillduff: British film critic
- Saba Gillduff: Ghanaian TV presenter and entertainer