As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

(origin: Gaelic.) From gille, a servant, and Chriosed, Christ--the servant of Christ.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

GILCHRIST. (Referred to, but accidentally omitted in the body of the work). See under Gill in this Supplement.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

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