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Gillay Family History

Gillay Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Millay, Gillan, Gilley, Gillam, Gilday, Gilly, Pillay, Gill, Hillary

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Gillay family from?

You can see how Gillay families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gillay family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Gillay families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there was 1 Gillay family living in Middlesex. This was 100% of all the recorded Gillay's in United Kingdom. Middlesex had the highest population of Gillay families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gillay surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

What Gillay family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 189 census records available for the last name Gillay. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gillay census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gillay

Passenger Lists

There are 16 immigration records available for the last name Gillay. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Gillay immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 15 military records available for the last name Gillay. For the veterans among your Gillay ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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You've only scratched the surface of Gillay family history

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What is the average Gillay lifespan?

Between 1971 and 2004, in the United States, Gillay life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2004, and highest in 1973. The average life expectancy for Gillay in 1971 was 81, and 53 in 2004.

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Gillay ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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