Each family connects hundreds of people to form an intricate pattern of ancestors and descendants. Our origins span the world, our families come from all religions and ways of life. The common thread of Heraldry links many cultures and establishes the foundations of a Surname before words were a common understanding and images demonstrated a basic understanding to the populace.
This page represents the following Surnames: McGillen. Gillen.
Heraldry for every family is represented on each page as it has become available through out our research, as a tribute to the historical and evolutionary process that each family has survived. Name definitions are provided for each family as we find a connection to them, through intermarriage or discovery. Scottish, English and Irish families are represented with tartans, badges and other memorabilia as it becomes available to us. We’ve worked very hard at finding the most accurate and appropriate connections for each surname, if you see an error or have more information to add, please contact us via e-mail at CSGS@SnowStones.com.
Gillen Name Meaning
Gillen Name Meaning Irish: variant spelling of Gillan or reduced form of McGillen.
Dutch: patronymic from Gil, a personal name that is a much reduced and altered vernacular form of Latin Aegidius (see Giles).
German: variant of Gilbert.
McGillen Name Meaning
Irish: probably an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mag Giolláin, a patronymic from giollán ‘little lad’; Woulfe, on the other hand, proposes an Anglicized form of Ó Gealáin meaning ‘bright’.
Family Motto: ‘Virtus Durissima Feret’ (Virtue will sustain severe trials)
Family Crest: 
Surname References from:
Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4
Encyclopedia of Surnames, John Ayto, A & C Black Publishers Ltd, ISBN 978 0 7136 8144 4
(Unless otherwise stated)