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There are approximately 3,440 people named Gilroy in the UK. That makes it the 2,944th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 54 are named Gilroy.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

Ireland

Language of origin

Gaelic

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

Celtic
From name of parent

Related and similar surnames

Gildroy
Gillray
Gillroy
Gillroye
Gillroi
Gileroy
Gilaroy
Gilieroy
Gilleroy
Gillroyd
Gillieroy
Gilr
Giloroey
Gilory
Gilgroy
Gilfroy
Gillry
Gilloroey
Gillrey
Gelroy
Gillrye

The Gilroy surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

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.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

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.

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