Find out how popular the last name Gilliams is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gilliams.

Gilliams, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gilliams surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gilliams in America

Gilliams is the 105079th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gilliams surname appeared 170 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gilliams.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gilliams to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Gilliams

The surname Gilliams has its origins in the British Isles, with roots that can be traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated in England, where it was likely derived from the given name William or its diminutive form, Will.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Gilliams can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Giliam, Gilliam, and Gillom.

The name Gilliams may also have connections to certain place names in England, such as Gillingham or Gillamoor. These place names often incorporated elements of Old English words, such as "gyl" (a ravine or valley) or "gill" (a small stream).

Notable individuals throughout history who bore the surname Gilliams include:

1. Sir John Gilliams (c. 1565 - 1636), an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I.
2. Reverend James Gilliams (1680 - 1754), a Welsh clergyman and author who published works on religious subjects.
3. Mary Gilliams (1768 - 1843), an English writer and diarist who documented the social and cultural life of her time.
4. William Gilliams (1815 - 1891), a British explorer and adventurer who traveled extensively in Africa and authored several books on his expeditions.
5. Edith Gilliams (1889 - 1972), an American artist and illustrator known for her vibrant depictions of rural life and landscapes.

As the name spread across the British Isles and eventually to other parts of the world, variations in spelling and pronunciation became more common. Some alternate spellings included Gilliam, Gillum, and Gillam.

The Gilliams surname has a rich history and a diverse legacy, with representatives in various fields, from politics and religion to exploration and the arts. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped surnames over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gilliams

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gilliams.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gilliams was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Gilliams has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Gilliams was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gilliams, please contact us.

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