A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gillon family of Scotland.
Reg. 8914 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a saltire ar. five martlets volant of the first”
LinlithgowWallhouse · Linlithgow, c. 1676
Where the Gillon Arms Were Recorded
Linlithgow
Map of Scotland showing where the Gillon arms are recorded
The Gillon arms were recorded in Linlithgow, c. 1676.
Linlithgow, now West Lothian, held a royal palace between Edinburgh and Stirling. Families with court business settled nearby, and closeness to the court brought recorded arms.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Gillon 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 Linlithgow.
Origin & History of the Gillon Family in Scotland
The Gillon family name has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, with significant historical ties to the town of Linlithgow. By 1676, records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents in this area, which was a prominent royal burgh and a center of political life during that century. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the Gaelic name MacGilleain, which translates to the son of the servant of Saint John. Over many generations, the spelling evolved as families moved through different regions of Scotland and interacted with various local dialects. Because Linlithgow was a hub for trade and administration, the Gillon family likely played an active role in the local economy and community life during the late seventeenth century. Their presence in such a historically significant town suggests that they were integrated into the social fabric of the region long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gille Fhaolain
Servant of Saint Fillan
This name
GillonDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning devotee or servant of Saint Fillan.
also spelled
Gyllon
Gyllone
Related arms
Gullonsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1676
National Records of Scotland, Linlithgow Burgh Court Books, 1676
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
