Gillespie is a Scottish surname of Norman origin. It comes from the French name "Guillermus pyre" or "William the redhead". The name was brought to Scotland by the Normans in the 11th century during their conquest of England.
The name Gillespie has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous is Robert Gillespie, a Scottish soldier who fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite uprising in the 18th century. Another notable figure is Sir Archibald Gillespie, a Scottish judge and writer who served as Lord Advocate for Scotland in the late 19th century.
The surname Gillespie has also been associated with several places in Scotland, including Gillespie's Hill in Dumfriesshire and Gillespie's Cave near Edinburgh. These locations are named after members of the Gillespie clan who were known to have lived in these areas.
Today, Gillespie is still a common surname in Scotland and among Scottish descendants around the world. It continues to be associated with proud Scottish heritage and traditions. Despite its Norman origins, the name has become an integral part of Scottish culture and history.
Here are some interesting statistics regarding the given name Gillespie in the United States:
* In the year 1912, there were 5 babies born with the name Gillespie.
* Over time, the popularity of the name Gillespie has fluctuated. Its highest point was in 1910 when it was given to 8 newborns.
* Despite its peak in the early 20th century, Gillespie is not a particularly common name today. Between 2010 and 2019, there were only around 5 births per year with this name.
* As of 2019, approximately 3,700 people in the United States have the first name Gillespie.
These statistics illustrate how the name Gillespie has seen varying levels of popularity throughout history but remains relatively uncommon today. It is important to note that these figures only represent births and do not account for individuals who may have changed their name or were born outside of the United States.