This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Gilbert' , from the diminutive Gilb-in; compare Gibb-on, Mari-on, &c. Gilpin is a well-known patronymic in Furness and Westmoreland. Edwin Gilpin of Kentmere was father of Bernard Gilpin, the Apostle of the North, born in 1517. The solution seems satisfactory. Rob-ert, Lamb-ert. and Gilb-ert took the pet forms of Rob-in, Lamb-in, and Gilb-in. The two latter, by a natural law, have become Lampin and Gilpin. Gilbert Gylpin. H.' 548. Married — Henry Fones and Alyce Gylpyn: St. Michael, Cornhill.

Richard Gillpin, of Aldingham, 1614: Lancashire Wills at Richmond.

Roger Gilping, of Littledalle, 1666: ibid.

A curious corruption of Gilpin occurs in the following entry:

1689. Married — Phillip Hartley and Ann Giltpenn: St. James, Clerkenwell.

According to The Tribes & Customs of Hy Fiachrach, taken from the Book of Lecan, the sept of Mac Giolla Finn was located at Dromard in the barony of Tireragh, Co. Sligo: they are there described as a “noble comely-faced people”. Assuming that the statement that this name was anglicized Gilpin is true, it is surprising to find it concentrated in modern times in Co. Armagh and the adjacent parts of Co. Cavan. In this connexion it should be observed that there is also an English name Gilpin, derived from a river in Westmoreland; and this is well known in England —-— there are six Gilpins in the Dictionary of National Biography, all of whom were English.

(Anglo-French-Teut.) prob. a double (abnor­mal) diminutive of Gilbert, q.v.: cp. Robin from French Robert, Teutonic Hruodberaht.

An English name now concentrated in Co.

Armagh and Cavan. When found in Connacht families called Gilpin are probably of the Co. Sligo sept of Mac Giolla Finn. SIF 77

See Gilbert. An eminent family seated at Kentmere Hall, co. Westmoreland, temp. King John. B.L.G.

Armorially identified with Galpine, a form of Galopin. Bernardus Galopin of Normandy, 1198 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Nicholas Galopin of England, c. 1272 (Rotuli Hundredorum); also N. Gelopin. Hence the excellent and devoted Bernard Gilpin.

Gilpin, a name now rare in the county, though still lingering in Kendal and Carlisle, was the name of a family of Scaleby Castle during last century, long honourably connected with Carlisle; to this family belonged the famous Bernard Gilpin, in the reign of Elizabeth, who refused the Bishopric of Carlisle; Sir J. D. Gilpin was mayor of Carlisle in 1806 and 1820; the Gilpins of Kendal, in the 16th and 17th centuries, filled the office of mayor (N. H. J.).