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