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

Gillispie, 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 Gillispie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gillispie in America

Gillispie is the 6995th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gillispie surname appeared 4,791 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Gillispie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gillispie 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 Gillispie

The surname Gillispie is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Gille Iosa" meaning "servant or follower of Jesus." The name can be traced back to the early medieval period in the Highlands of Scotland, where it was born by families who were devout Christians.

The earliest recorded instances of the name appear in the 14th century, with mentions of individuals bearing the moniker in various charters and legal documents from the region. One notable example is that of John Gillaspie, who was recorded as a landholder in Inveraray, Argyll, in 1376.

As the centuries progressed, the spelling of the name evolved, with variations such as Gillespie, Gillespy, and Gillaspick emerging. These alternative spellings were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of local scribes.

In the 16th century, the name gained prominence with the rise of the Gillespie family of Ardclach, a powerful clan in the Scottish Highlands. One of their most celebrated members was Reverend Patrick Gillespie (1617-1675), a prominent Scottish Presbyterian minister and theologian who played a significant role in the religious struggles of his time.

The name also had a presence in Scotland's historical records, with a mention of a John Gillespie in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1532. These rolls were financial records kept by the Scottish government, indicating that individuals bearing the surname were involved in the economic life of the nation.

As the Scottish diaspora spread across the globe, the name Gillispie traveled with them. One notable bearer was Sir Robert Gillespie (1766-1814), a Scottish-born British Army officer who rose to prominence during the Napoleonic Wars and served as the Commander-in-Chief of British forces in India.

Another influential figure was George Gillespie (1613-1648), a Scottish theologian and one of the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly, which played a pivotal role in shaping the doctrines and practices of the Presbyterian Church.

In the literary realm, the name is associated with William Gillespie (1776-1825), a Scottish poet and author who gained recognition for his works such as "The Progress of Refinement" and "Consolation, and Other Poems."

While the name Gillispie has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by Scottish emigrants and their descendants. Its rich history and connection to notable figures in religion, military, and literature have solidified its place in the tapestry of Scottish heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gillispie

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

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 Gillispie 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 Gillispie 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 Gillispie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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