GILROY

Gile-roimh, a running footman attendant on a Highland chieftain; from gille, a servant, and roimh, before, in respect of situation or place; or Gille-righ, the servant of the king.

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

GILROY. GILRAY. Gael. Gille ruadh or rcy, i. e. "the red lad." The celebrated Highland freebooter of the XVI. cent., Gilderoy, derived his designation from this source. Arthur says, " Gillcroimh, a running footman attendant on a Highland chieftain ; or GiUc-rlgh, the servant of the king." Others make it cqui-alent to Fitz-PlOy — the son of a king. Thus do Gaelic etymologists ditier.

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