Surname Gillott - Meaning and Origin

Gillott: What does the surname Gillott mean?

The surname Gillott is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from a personal name. It is a patronymic form of the medieval male given name "Gilbert", formed by the addition of the suffix "-ot", meaning "little, or son of". The given name "Gilbert" is composed of the Germanic elements "gisil", which means "pledge", and "berht", meaning "bright or famous". Thus, the surname Gillott may essentially mean "son of the bright pledge". This surname was first found in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, England. It is also found in other parts of the UK and in countries where English is spoken. Like many last names, specific meanings can vary based on geographic origin and cultural interpretations.

Gillott: Where does the name Gillott come from?

The last name Gillott is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to have originated from a personal name used in the Middle Ages, William or Gilbert, which was later shortened to Guil or Gil, with the added suffix -ot that was typically used to indicate sonship. Hence, Gillott probably meant "son of Gil."

There are different theories regarding the geographical origins of the name. One theory suggests that it comes from Lincolnshire in eastern England, where records of the name date back to the 13th century. Other theories propose that the Gillott name originated elsewhere in England, where variations of the name also appear in old records.

Today, the Gillott name is still commonly found in English-speaking countries, primarily Britain. Besides the UK, there are also substantial populations of people with the last name Gillott in Australia, the United States, and Canada. However, variations of spelling, such as Gillett or Gillet, appear in different countries.

Variations of the surname Gillott

The surname Gillott is of English origin and may vary in spellings based on different geographical locations and historical spelling adjustments. It is mostly seen in Yorkshire and Lancashire, England. The surname is derived from the personal name Gilbert, which became Gib and then led to the creation of diminutives like Gibbon and Gillett.

Different spellings include Gillatt, Gillot, Gillut, Gillote, Gillut, Gillitt, Gillet, Gillett, and Gillette. Local dialects and accents would have resulted in different pronunciation and spellings. Variants of the surname also include Gilot and Gilott.

In some cases, the surname origin might be traced from the old French name 'Gilot' or even a occupation-based surname referring to 'script-writer' or 'scrivener', originally derived from the Old French 'gille' or 'gillot', meaning a quill or stylus.

Surname variants can also include more distant and unverified forms such as Gilbert, Giblin, or Gilson, encompassing the Gil- prefix and a suffix indicating "son of" or a diminutive. However, these might be less directly related.

In conclusion, any spelling that utilizes 'Gil-' and '-ott' or similar endings may likely be a variant of the surname Gillott.

Famous people with the name Gillott

• Joseph Gillott: A famous pen-maker from England who gained prominence during the 19th century. Known for his pioneering work in the mass production of steel pens.
• Sarah Gillott: A Designer and Art director known for work with high end fashion brands like Burberry and Rag & Bone.
• Barbara Gillott: An Australian actress famous for theatre and TV roles during the 1970s and 1980s.
• Pete Gillott: An event producer and director known for hosting music festivals.
• Adam Gillott: An independent film director and producer known for films like "Pleasantview" and "Trapped."
• Carol Gillott: American watercolorist living in Paris, known for her blog "ParisBreakfasts" that hosts various sketched Paris scenes.
• Samuel Roberts Gillott: An Australian politician and mayor of Melbourne from 1901-1902.
• Edward Robert Gillott: A former Canadian diplomat, who was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon.
• Lisa Gillott: A Canadian Former Paralympian in Athletics.
• Jim Gillott: A former Australian rules footballer. Note: Apart from a few of these, many individuals named Gillott are not widely recognized on the global stage.

Other surnames

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