Gilpin
A surname most often explained as a Northern English form related to Gilbert, though some sources also treat it as a local name.
The #5,713 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 50,864 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The strongest historical explanation treats Gilpin as a shortened or altered form of Gilbert, with the familiar -in ending used to make a diminutive or descendant-name. Older surname books also connect it with an earlier Northern English family at Kentmere, Westmoreland, and note that it was especially associated with Furness and Westmoreland. A minority tradition links it with a local place-name, but that is less clearly supported in the excerpts.
History
Bardsley describes Gilpin as a well-known patronymic in Furness and Westmoreland, and Lower points to an eminent family seated at Kentmere Hall by the time of King John. The name became famous through Bernard Gilpin (1517–1583), the so-called “Apostle of the North.” It also entered popular culture through Cowper’s poem “John Gilpin.”
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Bernard Gilpin’s family home at Kentmere Hall helped anchor the surname’s historical association with northwestern England.
From the historical record
“St. Patrick. GILPIN. See Gilbert, xin eminent familj- seated at Kentmerc Ilall, co. West- moreland, temp. King John. B.L.G. GILROY. GILRAY. Gael. Gille ruadh or rcy, i. e. "the red lad." The cele- brated Highland freebooter of the XVI. cent., Gilderoy, derived his designation from this source. Arthur says, " Gillc-…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom