Surname Gillmartine - Meaning and Origin

Gillmartine: What does the surname Gillmartine mean?

The last name Gillmartine is a Scottish and Irish surname of Norman French origin. It is derived from the Old French “gille” meaning “servant who brings wine.” The suffix “martin” was added to the name to denote someone from the town of “Martin” in northern France. The term then transformed into a surname in Scotland and Ireland.

Historically, the Gillmartine surname is associated with a family of Norman knights. It is believed that they hail from the Scottish county of Berwickshire, a region which was formerly a part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. The Gillmartine family is thought to be descended from one of the most prominent knights of the 12th-century Norman Conquest, Robert de Coucy.

The name has been carried down through the generations and is still used today. It is likely most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, but thanks to the modern world, it is also found in many other countries.

The meaning behind the last name Gillmartine is significant and demonstrates a deep-rooted connection to one of Scotland's oldest families. As a product of Norman conquest, it is indicative of a long, distinguished history and it continues to be proudly carried down through the years.

Gillmartine: Where does the name Gillmartine come from?

The last name Gillmartine is commonly found in countries of the United Kingdom, particularly throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. Additionally, it is commonly found in areas in Europe such as Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not as popular across the rest of the world, but there have been some emigrants from the United Kingdom who have spread the name to different nations.

The last name is thought to have originated in the county of Cumbria in the United Kingdom, with the word ‘Martine’ implications toward the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. As the name spread, the use of the name Gillmartine took different forms, including Gillmarin, Gillmarine, and Gillemartin.

As of 2020, it is estimated that there are over 2000 people with the last name Gillmartine in the United Kingdom and Ireland alone. It is most commonly found in the northern regions of England, Scotland, and Wales where it is thought to have originated. Additionally, the name Gillmartine is found relatively often in the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Variations of the surname Gillmartine

Gillmartine is a surname with several spelling and variant forms. The surname originated from the Old French given name ‘guillelme’, which was brought to Britain in the Middle Ages. The most common variant of Gillmartine is Gilmartin, although alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin include Gilman, Gilmartine, Gillam, Gillamtin, Gilmertin, Gilmentin, Gilmon, and Gilmont.

The most widely held variant of Gillmartine is Gilmartin, derived from the original French form of the name. This, like its other variants, has roots in “guillelme”, which identified someone “who is like William” – the French variant of the name William.

The surname Gilman is derived from the same origin as Gilmartin, pronounced with a soft ‘G’. The spelling variation Gilmartine is derived from the union of two Old French names, ‘Gille’ and ‘Martin’, which together means ‘son of Martin’.

Other variants of the name also have French connections. Gillam is derived from the Old French given name Guillaume, while Gilmertin, Gilmentin, and Gilmont are all derived from the Old French ‘guillaume’.

Given the French origins of the surname, it is unsurprising that many of the same variants are also found in France, along with additional versions such as Gillesmartin and Guillotin. Some variants have established other roots outside of France, most notably Gilman in Ireland and Scotland.

In summary, Gillmartine is the original form of the surname and has various spelling and variant forms including Gilmartin, Gilman, Gilmartine, Gillam, Gillamtin, Gilmertin, Gilmentin, Gilmon, and Gilmont, among others. All of which are derived from the original French given name ‘guillelme’.

Famous people with the name Gillmartine

• Colin Gillmartin: Scottish former professional football player; played for Norwich City, Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town, and Hibernian.
• Margo Gillmartin: American actress, known for her roles in films and television shows such as I Love You, Man, The Office, and NCIS.
• John Gillmartin: Irish amateur golfer who represented his country several times in the Eisenhower Trophy.
• Gemma Gillmartin: Scottish comic book artist, illustrator, and creator of the webcomic The Geoducks.
• Renée Gillmartin: Canadian French-Canadian singer and songwriter; most known for her work with classical choirs.
• Rory Gillmartin: British actor; active since the mid 1960s; best known for his long-running role in the BBC soap EastEnders.
• Alfred Gillmartin: Australian-born writer, novelist, poet, playwright, and director; best known for his 1975 play So There You Are.
• Ann Gillmartin: American architect and educator; served as president of the AIA’s Western New York chapter.
• Rikki Gillmartin: English cricketer; played first-class cricket from 1952 to 1964 for Sussex and Hampshire.
• Kristin Gillmartin: Finnish model and photographer; currently the face of the Christmas collections for several Finnish brands.

Other surnames

Gillmartin