A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillespie family of Scotland.
Reg. 7426 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per fess or and az. a galley of the first with oars, mast, and flag gu. in dexter chief a hand couped holding a dirk in pale, and in sinister chief a cross crosslet of the third”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Gillespie arms are recorded
The Gillespie arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Gillespie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Gillespie Family in Scotland
The surname Gillespie originates from the Gaelic language, specifically from the words *gille* and *easpuig*, which together translate to servant of the bishop. This name was historically common among the people of the Scottish Highlands and the western islands, where it often identified individuals who served the church or held positions of religious devotion. Over many generations, families bearing this name migrated from these rural regions toward the growing urban centers of Scotland. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Gillespie family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were living and working in the capital city during a time of significant social and industrial change. This transition from the Gaelic-speaking Highlands to the bustling streets of Edinburgh reflects the broader movement of Scottish families seeking new opportunities in the heart of the nation.
Gillespie Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Gille Easbaig
Servant of the Bishop
This name
GillespieA Scottish Gaelic surname denoting a follower or devotee of a bishop.
also spelled
Gillespy
Gyllespie
Gyllespy
Related arms
Brucerecorded with Gillespie, same area
Dunbarrecorded with Gillespie, same area
Edmonstonerecorded with Gillespie, same area
Gordonrecorded with Gillespie, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
