From Where Does The Surname Originate? ^{meaning and history}

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The ancient Strathclyde-Briton name, Guildea, is derived from the ancient Latin personal name, Benedictus, which means 'blessed'. Researchers have confirmed the first documented history of this name in lowland Scotland and northern England, tracing it through many ancient manuscripts, including private collections of historical and genealogical records, the Inquisitio, and Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, the Ragman Rolls, The Hearth Rolls, the Domesday Book, parish cartularies, baptismals and tax rolls. The first record of the name Guildea was found in Lancashire, where they held a family seat from ancient times in the vicinity of Barrow-in-Furness.

Different spellings of the name were found in the archives researched. The surname Guildea, occurred in many references, and the surname was found with such spellings as Benson, Benison, Bensone, Bennison, Gildea, Gilday, Gildee, Bennsone, Bennisoun, Bennisone, Gildy, and these changes in spelling occurred frequently; sometimes even between a father and son. Scribes and church officials recorded the name from its sound.

The family name Guildea is believed to be descended originally from the Strathclyde Britons. This ancient founding race of the north were a mixture of Gaelic/Celts whose original territories ranged from Lancashire in the south, northward to the south bank of the River Clyde in Scotland.

In 1603, the unified English and Scottish crowns under James 1st dispersed these "unruly border clans," which had served loyally in the defense of each side. The unification of the governments was threatened and it was imperative that the old "border code" should be broken up. Hence, the Border Clans were banished to England, northern Scotland and to Ireland. Some were outlawed directly to Ireland and the colonies of the New World.

Many border clans settled in Northern Ireland, transferred between 1650 and 1700 with grants of land provided they "undertook" to remain Protestant. Hence they became known as the "Undertakers". Many became proudly Irish. In Ireland they remained in the cities of Belfast and Dublin where the name curiously was interchangeable with the name Gildea.

But life in Ireland was little more rewarding and many sought a better life. They looked to the New world and sailed aboard the "White Sails" an armada or sailing ships such as the Hector, the Rambler, and the Dove which struggled across the stormy Atlantic. Some ships lost thirty or forty percent of their passenger list. Migrants were often buried at sea having died from dysentery, cholera, small pox and typhoid.

In Irish, the name Guildea has been translated into "Ghiolla De" which means 'servant of God'. The motto of the coat of arms 'Si Deus quis contra?' translates as: 'If God be with us, who can be against us?'