Gillespie is a Scottish surname derived from the place name 'Gillespy', which is located near Edinburgh. The name originally referred to someone who lived at a house by the waterfall. Over time, it has become established as a given name in its own right, particularly among Scottish families. It's composed of two elements: 'Gill' meaning 'servant of Saint Finan', and 'spie' which is an old term for 'watercourse'. The name Gillespie can also be found in other parts of the world due to Scottish emigration over the centuries.
"In 1912 alone, there were five babies named Gillespie."