GILMORE
Gilmore is a surname of multifaceted origin, encompassing Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, and Anglo‑Saxon lineages. The name is primarily derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Giolla Mhuire, which translates literally as “son of the devotee of Mary.” The prefix Mac denotes “son of,” while Giolla Mhuire means “servant of the Virgin Mary.” Consequently the surname conveys a historical devotion to the Virgin Mary and appears within the repertoire of Christian surnames in Ireland.
The Scottish variant, Anglicised as MacGille Mhoire, follows the same etymological pattern, with the personal name signifying “servant of (the Virgin) Mary.” In both Irish and Scottish contexts the form is interpreted as a patronymic, identifying a descendant of a revered maternal figure within the household.
Beyond its patronymic roots, Gilmore can also be traced to a locational surname from Gillamoor, a settlement in northern Yorkshire. The place-name itself derives from Old English personal names such as Getlingas or Gyolingas, meaning “people of Getta” or “people of Gyola,” coupled with the element mor, signifying a marsh or moor. Thus, individuals who moved from Gillamoor to other regions were frequently identified by the name of their former home, resulting in the surname’s adoption in outlying communities during the early 13th century and thereafter.
Historical records confirm the surname’s early presence in England. The earliest documented spelling is that of Richard Gilemor in 1228, recorded in the “Feet of Fines” of Huntingdonshire during the reign of King Henry which spanned 1216-1272. Other medieval entries include a witness named Gillechad Gillamor who attended a grant by Huctred in 1304. Later, London Church Registers contain the christening of Margaret Gilmer, daughter of William and Elner, at St. Dunstan’s, Stepney (15 August 1586), and that of William, son of Elizabeth Gilmore, at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster (14 January 1678). In the 19th century, migration patterns saw individuals such as Catherine Gilmore, a famine emigrant aged 25, sail from Liverpool aboard the Montezuma bound for New York in May 1846.
Contemporary variations of the surname include Gillmor(e), Gilmer, Kolmore, and Golour, reflecting phonetic shifts and regional spelling differences over time. Throughout English‑speaking diaspora communities, particularly within Ireland, the surname Gilmore has persisted as a common family name, a testament to its enduring historical and cultural significance.
Typical given names associated with the Gilmore surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Laura
- Linda
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Gilmore in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 4,992 people named Gilmore in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,888th most common surname in Britain. Around 77 in a million people in Britain are named Gilmore.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Gilmore
- Peter Gilmore - Actor (1931 to 2013)
- Thea Gilmore - Singer-songwriter
- Susan Gilmore - Actress
- Maeve Gilmore - Artist (1917 to 1983)
- Sheila Gilmore - Politician
- Bob Gilmore - Northern Irish musician (1961 to 2015)
- Sammy Gilmore - (1939 to 2011)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.