Gilligan Crest and Gilligan History
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008Click HERE to order any Family Crest Ring.
Gilligan Family Crest and Coat of Arms: Hand with Sword.
Gilligan Family Motto: Semper Fidelis meaning ” Always Faithful”
Gilligan Family History: The Ancient surname of Gilligan is of European origin and like many of the European family names in countries such as France and England were formed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
Many of these European names were registered in medieval documents that mention noble families and also mention migration from the continent during and in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066.
This mighty family surname had its own territory in the 16th and 17th centuries and was known as MacGilligan’s Country and MaGilligan strand in the northern part of the Island of Ireland and these areas are still marked on the maps today.
In an important despatch in 1608 it was noted that the Macgilligans were one of the three septs of County Coleraine under the O’Cahans the others being O’Mullane and MacCluskey. Around the middle of the 17th century the prefix ‘Mac’ had mostly being dropped and in the 16th century the parish of Tamlaght Ard, in County Derry was known as Ard MacGilligan.
Modern History. 
In modern Ireland the name is very popular in the midlands where it is recorded that a Martin Gilligan along with his wife Catherine (nee Catherine Grehan) farms the “GreenHills” farm in Mountrath, County Laois , Ireland. Here they raised their family of fifteen children: Matin P. Gilligan, Daniel Anthony Gilligan, Aidan Gilligan, John Gilligan, Francis Gilligan, Margaret Gilligan, Anne Gilligan, Claire Gilligan, Joan Gilligan, Majella Gilligan, Gabrielle Gilligan, Angela Gilligan, Carmel Gilligan, Frances Gilligan, Mary Gilligan.
His son Martin P.Gilligan is a businessman who, along with his son Ian Gilligan (b.20th Feb 1983) maufactures kitchens through his company Leinster Woodcraft Limited also in County Laois . His daughter Jenna Gilligan (b.2nd May 1984) is a Qualified Financial Adviser in her native County of Laois, Ireland.
Daniel Anthony Gilligan 
( aka Tony Gilligan) from County Laois, Ireland, is the founder of the global online shopping business “Society Gifts” based in Ireland and Chicago. He has three sons Daniel, Jason , Jack, and two daughters Aine, and Sarah. Click HERE to go to Society Gifts for great value in Car Rentals, Travel Deals, Hotel Bookings and Online Shopping.
Caroline Gilligan owns and operates Gilligan’s Isle Travel in Toronto, Canada.
Aidan Gilligan manages and runs A.Gilligan Builders based in Ireland. Click HERE to go to A.Gilligan Builders obtain a competetive quotation on any of your building requirments.
Pauric and Sean Gilligan are recorded as two of the finest butchers in the County of Laois, Ireland.
The late John Gilligan who resided in Toronto, Canada was one of the pioneers of the travel business between Canada and Europe and also was born in County Laois, Ireland, the same John Gilligan ran the famous Maple Leaf Ballroom on St Clair Avenue, Toronto, Canada (and also founded Gilligan’s Isle Travel now run by his daughter Caroline).
Oliver Gilligan, born in County Laois, where he resided until he moved to London, England. Upon arrival in England, Oliver tried his hand in Construction and even joined his brothers for a short while at the Ford Motor Company. He returned to Laois, albeit for a brief stay, when he was called upon by his brother John to join him in Toronto, Ontario. There he remained for the next few years furthering a career in construction and pursuing his athletic interests in both Hurling and Gaelic Football. It was these pursuits that permitted him to travel further, across the provinces, down to the United States and ultimately around the world.
On one particular trip to Detroit, MI, he met and corresponded with Bernadette, who would later become his wife. Together they relocated to start their new life in New York, NY, where they would grow their family with six children: Martin; Francis; Erin; Kevin; Sean; and Patrick. All (for Patrick) are married and have produced 11 grandchildren. They remained in New York, moving throughout the Bronx to the suburbs of Westchester, including New Rochelle and Somers; until they decided to retire to Wilmington, NC.
Both Oliver and Bernadette remain devoted to each other, their family and their community. Each are involved with St. Mark’s Parish, the Knights of Columbus & Columbettes, and the Senior Center of Wilmington. Both remain active in the Senior Games, bringing home several medals each year; while Oliver plays, captains and coaches several Tennis teams, Bernadette remains active in Bowling and Water Aerobics.
Variants of the name are: O’Gilligan, O’Gillan, Gilla
