Guild of One-Name Studies
One-name studies, Genealogy
Study: Gillyon
Variants: Gillian, Gillin, Gillyean, Gilyon
Category: 1 - A study where research using core genealogical datasets and transcriptions is in its early stages.
Contact: Yvonne Taylor
My research into this particular surname started about 7 years ago, in about 2004. I was intrigued by my Father's (Gordon Harker Gillyean Morris) two middle names and in particular the 'Gillyean' name.
I had never looked at Family History Research before and in my naivety, I did not realise that these middle names would relate to his grandmothers' maiden surnames.
The name also varied so much in the Parish Registers and census documents that it was at times very frustrating.
In the 1881 Census there were 11 Gillyons enumerated in the Beverley area, 4 in the Driffield area and 14 Gillyeans in the Thorne area.
In 1907 John Gillyean (nee Gilyon) emigrated to Canada (at the age of 60!) with his wife and 10 children. I am aware of Gillyeans currently living in Canada.
My database currently holds 586 individuals with the surname Gillyon and 71 individuals with the surname Gillyean, with their descendants the database currently extends to 4436 individuals.
I am in the process of including all BMD and Census data in my files.
Of the 586 Gillyon individuals, I have 463 GRO birth indexes.
Of the 71 Gillyean individuals, I have 45 GRO birth indexes.
Of the 586 Gillyon individuals, I have 117 GRO marriage indexes.
This is a work in progress.