Gillespie Surname

6,265th
Most Common
surname in the World

Approximately 90,341 people bear this surname

Most prevalent in:
United States
Highest density in:
Northern Ireland

Gillespie Surname Definition:

This name is an attempt at the spelling of Gaelic Gilleasbuig, the 'bishop's gillie or 'servant.' Easbuig is a borrowing from Latin eposcop-us. The name for some mysterious reason is regarded as the Gaelic equivalent of Archibald, though why this should be is somewhat puzzling.

Read More About This Surname

Gillespie Surname Distribution Map

PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States57,1521:6,342739
England7,4281:7,5011,091
Canada6,4281:5,732834
Australia5,8191:4,639670
Scotland4,8271:1,109180
Northern Ireland2,3401:788138
Ireland2,1991:2,141404
New Zealand1,5521:2,918430
South Africa1,1491:47,1525,998
Jamaica3921:7,321869
Wales2141:14,4601,584
Thailand981:720,799118,830
Spain861:543,62826,445
France661:1,006,405112,047
Bahrain591:22,8584,582
Germany451:1,789,010101,917
Singapore391:141,2236,278
United Arab Emirates361:254,50817,423
Brazil291:7,381,874170,034
Qatar281:84,2149,043
Netherlands221:767,59958,330
Norway211:244,87126,357
Belgium161:718,54060,840
China141:97,665,8265,141
Uruguay141:245,12618,218
Philippines131:7,787,556197,164
Sweden131:757,44356,422
Italy121:5,096,391108,968
Malaysia121:2,457,85295,442
Russia121:12,010,255361,204
Ecuador111:1,445,98617,636
Switzerland111:746,62949,719
Zimbabwe111:1,403,47676,064
Isle of Man101:8,5821,778
Jersey101:9,9202,003
Hong Kong91:815,0543,802
India81:95,883,173728,828
Japan71:18,263,47047,869
Slovakia71:762,35073,078
Czechia61:1,772,245105,647
Mexico61:20,687,70153,861
Bermuda51:13,0561,849
Guatemala51:3,216,5347,141
Cyprus41:221,2198,471
Denmark41:1,411,17960,800
Dominican Republic41:2,608,23320,941
Fiji41:223,5982,635
Ghana41:6,755,17315,406
Iraq41:8,755,41423,373
Sudan41:9,377,5498,207
Afghanistan31:10,717,72835,605
Azerbaijan31:3,216,37432,290
Belarus31:3,167,020121,664
Monaco31:12,3552,088
Nigeria31:59,047,586507,603
Peru31:10,594,70845,902
United States Virgin Islands31:36,7924,502
Greece21:5,539,895129,142
Israel21:4,278,817136,311
Kenya21:23,089,95083,168
South Korea21:25,620,1284,175
Taiwan21:11,722,37363,559
Trinidad and Tobago21:681,98817,017
Ukraine21:22,761,348425,733
Vietnam21:46,323,0275,235
Algeria11:38,631,551130,422
Antigua and Barbuda11:99,1712,137
Argentina11:42,743,414282,706
Austria11:8,515,435118,036
Bahamas11:391,7512,737
Bangladesh11:159,356,77326,077
Barbados11:287,4482,772
Benin11:10,335,602103,742
Cambodia11:15,487,14614,824
Cayman Islands11:63,8932,384
Chile11:17,616,47493,597
Cook Islands11:18,1791,485
Costa Rica11:4,780,06913,345
DR Congo11:73,879,570260,543
El Salvador11:6,343,8888,415
Finland11:5,496,70284,025
Gibraltar11:33,9541,660
Guernsey11:64,4392,137
Hungary11:9,816,27773,288
Indonesia11:132,249,194811,426
Kazakhstan11:17,682,496204,010
Kuwait11:3,800,69427,187
Kyrgyzstan11:5,972,65499,197
Liberia11:4,408,53547,110
Macau11:601,6301,582
Mali11:16,969,0354,067
Malta11:430,2723,380
New Caledonia11:276,22310,363
Northern Mariana Islands11:54,5801,498
Oman11:3,687,97114,390
Panama11:3,912,25817,195
Papua New Guinea11:8,153,717181,784
Saint Barthelemy11:9,614134
Saint Kitts and Nevis11:55,1991,294
Saudi Arabia11:30,855,81763,028
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
Ireland3,3551:1,320254
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
Scotland3,6181:1,035181
England1,1441:21,3073,014
Wales171:92,2604,121
Isle of Man61:9,045877
PlaceIncidenceFrequencyRank in Area
United States7,5081:6,689839

The alternate forms: Gillespîe (1) are calculated separately.

Gillespie (259) may also be a first name.

Gillespie Surname Meaning

From Where Does The Surname Originate? meaning and history

This name is an attempt at the spelling of Gaelic Gilleasbuig, the 'bishop's gillie or 'servant.' Easbuig is a borrowing from Latin eposcop-us. The name for some mysterious reason is regarded as the Gaelic equivalent of Archibald, though why this should be is somewhat puzzling. The late Dr. Macbain suggested that the Arch, since it appears in erch-bishop may have suggested the correlation of the names, which otherwise have no connection either in sound or roots. Ewan filius Gillaspeck witnessed a charter by Alwin, earl of Levenax, c. 1175—99 (Levenax, p. 12). Between 1220 and 1240 Gillescop de Cletheueys (now Clavage in the parish of Dunning) witnessed a confirmation charter of the lands of Fedale (LAC., 25). Gillescop mac camby witnessed a perambulation of the lands of Kinblathmond in 1227 (RAA., I, p. 163). Gillascop senescallus de Karric is mentioned c. 1250 (CMN., 13), and in 1282 we find Gillastop (a miscopying of Gillascop), brother of Gilchrist Magilmore (Cambus., p. 49). In an undated charter of c. 1360 we have Guilleaspos Cambell (SHR., X, p. 34). The surname has invaded Northumberland, appearing there as Gilhespy. Galeaspe 1653, Ghillaspic 1360, Gilaspy 1477, Gilhaspy 1508, Gilispie 1688, Gillaspik 1364, Gillaspy 1528, Gillespey 1541, and Milton spells the name Galasp. Gilasp who witnesses King David's charter to the Abbey of Jedburgh c. 1147—50 (Lawrie, p. 152) is most probably an error for Eilaf.

The Surnames of Scotland (1946) by George Fraser Black (1866-1948)

(Celtic) 1 Servant or Disciple of the Bishop [Gaelic Gille Easpuig] 2 Dweller by the Bishop’s Chapel [Gaelic Cill (kil) Easpuig] See the note under Archibald.

Surnames of the United Kingdom (1912) by Henry Harrison

Mac Giolla Easpuig This family belongs by origin to Down and was early established in Donegal.

Synonyms of the name are Clusby and Glashby in Co.

Louth, Clasby in Co. Galway and also, by translation, Bishop. MIF 118. Map Don

A Guide to Irish Names (1964) by Edward MacLysaght

“Servant of the Bishop” in Gaelic. (“Gil” is a servant).

South African Surnames (1965) by Eric Rosenthal

(Scottish, Irish) The servant of the bishop.

Dictionary of American Family Names (1956) by Elsdon Coles Smith

A corruption of Gille-Espuaig, Gaelic, "the Servant of the Bishop." It was originally spelt Gillespic, and frequently employed in the Highlands as a Christian name.

Patronymica Britannica (1860) by Mark Antony Lower

A prompt servant; from speach, prompt.

The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames (1862) by Clifford Stanley Sims (1839-1896)

The Gaelic for Archibald, from Gille, a youth or servant, and speach, a word expressive of quickness and sharpness in battle; spuaic, Gaelic, to break the head, to knock.

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857) by William Arthur

From Gillesbie; a location name in Dumfriesshire.

British Family Names: Their Origin and Meaning (1903) by Henry Barber

Gillespie Last Name Facts

Where Does The Last Name Gillespie Come From? nationality or country of origin

The last name Gillespie is most common in The United States. It can be found as: Gillespîe. Click here for other possible spellings of Gillespie.

How Common Is The Last Name Gillespie? popularity and diffusion

This surname is the 6,265th most frequent family name on a global scale, borne by around 1 in 80,667 people. Gillespie is predominantly found in The Americas, where 71 percent of Gillespie reside; 70 percent reside in North America and 70 percent reside in Anglo-North America. It is also the 553,262nd most numerous given name world-wide, held by 259 people.

The surname Gillespie is most prevalent in The United States, where it is carried by 57,152 people, or 1 in 6,342. In The United States Gillespie is primarily concentrated in: Texas, where 7 percent live, California, where 7 percent live and Pennsylvania, where 5 percent live. Without taking into account The United States this last name is found in 99 countries. It is also found in England, where 8 percent live and Canada, where 7 percent live.

Gillespie Family Population Trend historical fluctuation

The incidence of Gillespie has changed through the years. In The United States the number of people carrying the Gillespie last name expanded 761 percent between 1880 and 2014; in England it expanded 649 percent between 1881 and 2014; in Scotland it expanded 133 percent between 1881 and 2014; in Ireland it fell 34 percent between 1901 and 2014 and in Wales it expanded 1,259 percent between 1881 and 2014.

Gillespie Last Name Statistics demography

The religious adherence of those bearing the Gillespie last name is chiefly Catholic (52%) in Ireland.

In The United States those holding the Gillespie last name are 14.33% more likely to be registered with the Republican Party than the national average, with 61.1% being registered to vote for the political party.

The amount Gillespie earn in different countries varies greatly. In Italy they earn 29.22% less than the national average, earning €21,256 per year; in Norway they earn 21.11% more than the national average, earning 419,124 kr per year; in South Africa they earn 42.45% more than the national average, earning R 338,520 per year; in United States they earn 0.72% more than the national average, earning $43,461 USD per year and in Canada they earn 7.85% more than the national average, earning $53,581 CAD per year.

Phonetically Similar Names

SurnameSimilarityWorldwide IncidencePrevalency
Gillespîe961/
Gilliespie9586/
Guillespie9514/
Gillhespie9510/
Gillespies955/
Gillesspie955/
Cgillespie951/
Gilleispie951/
Gillespeie951/
Gillespiie951/
Gillesppie951/
Gilllespie951/
Gilloespie951/
Gilleespie950/
Gillesphie950/
Gillespiee950/
Gillespuie950/
Gilespie94144/
Gillespi9496/
Gillespe9481/
Gillspie9439/
Gillepie9430/
Gllespie944/
Illespie942/
O'Gillespie901/
D'Gillespie901/
Gillispie896,096/
Gillaspie891,924/
Gillespey89124/
Gilhespie89122/
Gellespie8911/
Jillespie897/
Cillespie896/
Gillespee894/
Gilleispe893/
Gillespei892/
Gillespis892/
Gillespit892/
Gillespiz892/
Gilliepie891/
Gilliespe891/
Gilesspie891/
Gillespae891/
Gillespio891/
Gillespye891/
Gillexpie891/
Gillospie891/
Gillspies891/
Zillespie891/
Gillespoe891/
Gillezpie891/
Gillesppi890/
Gillsspie890/
Gillespii890/
Gillespea890/
Glespie887/
Gilspie884/
Gillspi880/
Gillhespey8437/
Gillesphey8418/
Gilhesphie845/
Gillisspie843/
Gilliaspie841/
Gilliespye841/
Gillisphie841/
Gelliespie840/
Gillisppie840/
Gillispier840/
Gillespy82304/
Gillispe8233/
Gilispie8229/
Gillispi825/
Gellespi824/
Gillipie823/
Gelespie822/
Gillespa822/
Gleaspie821/
Gllispie821/
Gielspie821/
Gilespey820/
Gilespee820/
Gillaspi820/
Gleispie820/
Gillaspe820/
Jilespie820/
Gillhespy78163/
Gillaspey7889/
Gellispie785/
Gilliespy782/
Gellaspie781/
Gillaspei781/
Gillispee781/
Gilhespey780/
Gelhespie780/
Gillaspee780/
Gillispey780/
Jellespie780/
Gillispis780/
Gellespee780/
Gillisper780/
Giellespy780/
Gellesper780/
Gillispei780/
Gillisppe780/
Sillispie780/
Gillasphe780/
Glaspie752,125/
Glispie75470/
Glospie7536/
Glesper753/
Glephie750/
Gilspey750/
Gillspy750/
Glesspi750/
Glespee750/
Guillisper741/
Gillaspy711,211/
Glasspie7123/
Gelispie7122/
Gillispy713/
Gellispe712/
Gilispee711/
Gellespy710/
Gelespey710/
Gillispa710/
Glisspie710/
Glaspe6717/
Glaspi672/
Gilspy671/
Glispe671/
Glespy670/
Glyspi670/
Gillispes670/
Gellispee670/

Search for Another Surname

Gillespie Reference & Research

The Clan Gillespie - The surname origins, genealogy and history of Clan Gillespie.

Gillespie Surname Origins - History of the surname in its many spellings, from Ireland, Scotland, America, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and the world.

Gillespie FamilyTree DNA Group - A group collating DNA test results for those who bear the surname, includes results of DNA tests and discussions.

Gillespie FamilyTree DNA Project - A description of a group researching the paternal lines of men who bear the surname with the help of DNA analysis.

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Footnotes

  • Surnames are taken as the first part of an person's inherited family name, caste, clan name or in some cases patronymic
  • Descriptions may contain details on the name's etymology, origin, ethnicity and history. They are largely reproduced from 3rd party sources; diligence is advised on accepting their validity - more information
  • Name distribution statistics are generated from a global database of over 4 billion people - more information
  • Heatmap: Dark red means there is a higher occurrence of the name, transitioning to light yellow signifies a progressively lower occurrence. Clicking on selected countries will show mapping at a regional level
  • Rank: Name are ranked by incidence using the ordinal ranking method; the name that occurs the most is assigned a rank of 1; name that occur less frequently receive an incremented rank; if two or more name occur the same number of times they are assigned the same rank and successive rank is incremented by the total preceeding names
  • Ethnic group cannot necessarily be determined by geographic occurrence
  • Similar: Names listed in the "Similar" section are phonetically similar and may not have any relation to Gillespie
  • To find out more about this surname's family history, lookup records on Family​Search, My​Heritage, FindMyPast and Ancestry. Further information may be obtained by DNA analysis