Gallon - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Gallon-Burn South Shields

ljbguill — 2012-03-06 18:05:34Z

Am looking for info on South Shields/Tynemouth area Burn family, mid-to-late 19th century. Isabella Gallon marries Thomas Burn 1831 in Newcastle. Believe they are parents of William Burn who marries Phillis Ross 1859 Morpeth, Durham. Have photo of elderly Isabella Burn sitting outside home with what appears to be another son and granddaughter. Taken by Excelsior Portrait Studio in South Shields.
Sound familiar to anyone?

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

dbordiso — 2011-09-25 02:31:19Z

Hi William,

My grandfather and great grandfather were from Canada, my father was born in Michigan. We ended up out here in California. I have meant one other person who was looking into the Gallon name and we are cousins. They live in Texas and her daughter lives here in California. We have traced our Gallon name back to Alexander Gallon, born Aug 16, 1761 in Dallas, Morary, Scotland. We may be related and if we are I am more then willing to share what information I have on our Gallon Family. Who knows, we may be cousins.

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

ronelgallon — 2011-09-15 07:16:09Z

hey!im just looking for my relatives around the globe...if there would be hahah im from CANaDA..

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

eribitisak_zayat — 2011-09-09 18:50:03Z

hi sir my name is JERBY GALLON zayat im from philippines, gallon is my mothers family name and zayat is my fathers family name. i just have this question in my head why gallon here in the philippines is so few... thank you and have a nice day

Re: William Gallon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

kingpark1 — 2011-08-27 22:43:39Z

Hi Dawn,

I was just browsing these message threads and noticed this post from you some years ago (2001). I wonder whether your Great Grandfather or Grandfather was Arthur McGrevey Gallon, son of William Gallon and Catherine McGreavy. The Arthur in my tree lived in Shieldfield, Newcastle, was married to a Rebecca (don't have her maiden name, but she may have remarried after his death and been called Davidson), and died in 1918 during WW1 at age 27. He had a son, Arthur, and I think also another called William.

If so then he is the brother of my Grandmother, Susannah (1889-1976).

Regards

Susan

Re: William Gallon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

kingpark1 — 2011-08-27 22:25:21Z

Hi Graham,

When I read my message back I realised I'd said 'Joseph and Joan' when I meant 'Joseph and Mary, so there is no Joan (a senior moment I think:-)

I have June in there and I got this information from my mother, who provided the information for much of the rest of her aunts, uncles and cousins, so I assume it's correct. I don't have a date of death of June, so she may have died young.

I'd be interested in anything you have on the Gallon family, as it all helps to build the picture. I know that your mother married Frederick Vose, but no info on where or when and that she died in or around 1987. So anything you can pass on re any of the family would be great. If you want to reply to me direct my email address is kingpark@btinternet.com

It's so interesting to hear from members of the extended family. I used to love listening to my grandma and mother talking about people who I was related to but never met, and I think this is why I started looking into my family tree. Trouble is that when you start you can't stop :-))

All the best

Susan

Re: William Gallon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

1_vosey — 2011-08-26 08:55:38Z

Hi Susan

Thanks for that info, I haven't researched the family tree, it's something I've meant to do for some time but never get round to it.

My mother was Evelyn, the youngest of Joe & Mary's children.

I remember Doris,Joseph and Margaret, but not Joan and June, did they die young?

I don't know if you know, or want to know anything about my mother and her siblings families, if you do I may be able to help.

Many Thanks
Graham

Re: William Gallon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

kingpark1 — 2011-08-25 22:14:32Z

Hi Graham,

Looks like that may be the case, so we must be second cousins (or something like that).

The information I have on Joseph Gallon is that he was born in or around 1900 at 40 Bryson Terrace, Newcastle, and fought in WW1. He was one of 13 children (5 girls (Susannah who died as a baby, Susannah who was my grandma, Sarah, Margaret and Kate) and 8 boys (Thomas, William, Arthur who died as a baby, Arthur, James, Matthew, Joseph and John). Strange that names of dead children were reused, but it seems it was common practise then.

Information from my mother Catherine, known as Katie,(who sadly died a couple of years ago), was that Joseph came back from WW1 suffering with very bad dysentry.

He married Mary Wheatley, who had a daughter, Doris, and then Joseph and Joan had a further 4 children (Joseph, June, Margaret and Evelyn). My mother told me that she used to play with Doris when they were children (they were the same age).

At least 3 of his brothers (Arthur, James and John), died in WW1 (John being only 15 or 16 when he died - as far as I know he signed up at the age of 14). Also his brother Thomas lost an arm in WW1 (I can remember him from when I was a child).

Their mother, Catherine, died in 1935 (my mother told me she was a little woman with a loud voice who you didn't mess with :-)) Their father William lived with my Grandma for some time until his death in 1948.

Hope this information is of some interest to you (probably you know most of it anyway), and if you have anything to share I'd be glad to hear it.

All the best

Susan

Re: William Gallon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

1_vosey — 2011-08-25 19:07:11Z

Hi

I think my grandfather Joseph Gallon may have been your grandmothers brother.

Graham

Re: looking for children of lois gallon

doe1419 — 2011-06-29 04:48:10Z

Hi,

Any babies born in 1945 & 1946? I have two girls, one named Elaine Gallon born 1/1/1945 and the other was named Baby Knight, born 1946, Thanks, Dee

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

shirleyk58 — 2011-04-16 22:42:59Z

Hi Denise,thankyou for your email, mine is shergar48@yahoo.co.uk , Shirley

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

denisehildrew97 — 2011-04-16 01:55:49Z

Hello ShirleyK

Not sure on that will have to check my file, if u want u can email me at denise54@hotmail.com instead of ging through this one.

Regards

Denise Hildrew

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

denisehildrew97 — 2011-04-16 01:55:46Z

Hello ShirleyK

Not sure on that will have to check my file, if u want u can email me at denise54@hotmail.com instead of ging through this one.

Regards

Denise Hildrew

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2011-03-01 14:42:15Z

Hi Shirley: Thank you but I've gone back as far as I can go for my Gallen ancestors in Ireland. I found my great-great-grandfather's name in a parish register in the 1840s. It was in Donaghmore, County Donegal. His family were Catholic tenant farmers and and no land records or birth records were kept of those folks before that. I'm really interested in the name and possibility that some of the Gallon/Gallen sept emigrated to England, America, or the Caribbean BEFORE the 19th century. In addition to the Gallons in northeastern England, there are many African-American Gallons here in the US. Where did they get their name, I wonder?

Re: Name Origin

shirleyk58 — 2011-03-01 14:00:13Z

Hi again, i forgot to put in my other message that my Anne Gallon was from OGGAL in BLACKLION, Ireland, Shirley

Re: Name Origin

shirleyk58 — 2011-03-01 13:12:22Z

Hi, i have cousins in Ireland, who are form Gallons, tell me who your looking for and i will send them the info by email, maybe they could help you. ive no idea where my Gallons are in England, i dont have a link yet. i just know i have Phiilip McCauley ,married Anne Gallon, had a few kids, i only know of 2 sons yet, Phillip and Hugh. son Phillip apparently died in mysterious cercumstances. not sure how yet. i know weve got Gallons from this Anne Gallonin England, my email is shergar48@yahoo.co.uk if youd like to email. Shirley

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2011-02-28 17:00:22Z

Thanks for posting. Most of the English speaking Gallons seem to come from that region of the UK. I'm still trying to find a connection between them and my Irish ancestors.

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

shirleyk58 — 2011-02-28 02:07:47Z

Hi to all gallons in South Sheilds, anyone have a George E Gallon of South Sheilds.Thankyou Shirley

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

shirleyk58 — 2011-02-28 02:04:16Z

Hi Denise, do you have a George E Gallon of South Sheilds. Thankyou Shirley

Re: Name Origin

shirleyk58 — 2011-02-28 02:00:18Z

Hi Tom, just realised i had Gallons on my cousins tree, ones i know so far of are from South Sheilds,Durham. Shirley

Re: Meta Gallon (Davis)

shirleyk58 — 2011-02-28 01:53:32Z

Hi, we have Gallons in England, George E Gallon, with family memebers in South Sheilds,Durham ,. any connection please leave a message, Thankyou Shirley

Re: MORE GALLONS

shirleyk58 — 2011-02-28 00:55:53Z

Hi ,im replying to a message of yours of 6 july 2002, i wondered if you had a Anne Gallon married Phiilip McCauley in Ireland. they had 2 sons, Phillip and Hugh McCauley. im looking for a connection to Anne gallon in England, i know of no Gallon of mine in England, only Ireland, any info very much appreciated. thanks to all Gallon. Shirley

Re: Name Origin

shirleyk58 — 2011-02-28 00:23:29Z

HiDenise, and all searching Gallon, im looking for any Gallons ,more so in the UK, who have a connection to a Phillip and Anne Gallon of Ireland, i would say from Kildare, i have a connection to these Gallons through my McCauleys of Ireland. any info very much appreciated. Thankyou Shirley

gallon family from Sweden

carlt501 — 2011-01-03 20:01:50Z

I am lookling for Emma Sofia Gallon married Per August Gallon, they had three children; Emil Albert 1890, August Patrick 1894 and Emmy Victoria 1899, all born in Sweden. She married her second husband Jan Gull in 1909 in Sweden and they left for Brazil in 1911 and I don'thave any information after that. Jan and Emma had two children John Eric 1907 and Gustov Uno 1909. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: William Gallon (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

kingpark1 — 2010-11-13 23:40:33Z

HI, Was just browsing and found this message (sent by you quite a few years ago). My Great Grandfather was William Gallon and my Great Grandmother was Catherine McGreavy. My Grandmother was their daughter, Susannah.

Re: Name Origin

dbordiso — 2010-11-03 19:18:39Z

Hi Tom, Thought I would let you know that after talking to my father's half sister, she told me that the Gallon's were Catholic. When my grandmother married my grandfather Pierce Wellington Gallon she promised to raise the children in the Catholic faith. Pierce Wellington Gallon is the son of Hubert Mills Gallon who is the son of James Gallon Born in Dallis, Edinshire, Scotland, who's father is James Gallon born in Elgin, Moray, Scotland and his father Alexander Gallon born in Dallas Moray, Scotland. Both of the James Gallon's were Blacksmiths.If any of this information is what you may be looking for I do have some information on this line of my family.
Hope to hear back from you one way or the other.
Thanks, Denise(Gallon) Bordisso

Re: looking for children of lois gallon

wmike191 — 2010-10-29 16:58:50Z

Hello,

Raymond Ward and Lois Gallon were my grandparents.
Val was my Dad.
I am still in touch with my aunts and unlces you mentioned.
Feel free to email me.

Mike Ward

Re: William Gallon So.Shields(ATT: DAWN GALLON)

doe1419 — 2009-11-24 11:34:15Z

Hi Dawn,

Not sure if we spoke at one time regarding Elaine Gallon born Jan.1, 1945. She was born in manhattan, NY and giving up for adoption but that is the name she was given. Please e-mail me direct, thanks...Dee (doe1419@aol.com)

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

denisehildrew97 — 2009-07-29 07:50:23Z

Hello Denise
I am a Gallon too my family came from Northumberland England, my Grandfather ended up in Durham England.

Denise Hildrew

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2009-05-17 18:31:36Z

Thank you John for your post. I have said in the past that I didn't think that the Gallons from the Tyne area were related to the Irish Gallens/Gallons. Your post is one of the first that makes me want to rethink this. Many Irish of Donegal frequently emigrated to other lands to mine coal. The miners of northeastern Pennsylvania (USA) during the Molly Maguire era were from Donegal. It seems probable that many from Donegal also worked the mines in northeastern England as your family history indicates. Maybe some of them were the Gallons of eastern County Donegal. I hope other Gallons from England can shed some more light on this connection. Thanks again for your post.

Tom Gallen

Re: Name Origin

jbookco — 2009-05-16 13:16:08Z

hi, my name is john gallon and i was born in tyneside, england. our family history told us, as handed down, that the family moved from ireland to work in the coal mining industry in the early 1800's. My great grandfather robert gallon was mine engineer at trimdon grange colliery in the mid 1800's. My grandmother said that we had relatives in ireland by the name of plunkett and that another relative was editor of a Dublin newspaper.

Re: MORE GALLON' S

jpgallon — 2009-05-14 13:55:01Z

Hello from France.
We have a few thousand GALLON's on this side.
My parents told me their theory that our name would come from GALLUS wich was a rooster in roman language (latin)
They learned that the ancient German equivalent was WALLONE, supposed to mean rooster as well. Often the latin G was turned into a saxon W (or the other way around)
If that theory was true, the name would likely be linked to a rooster that was a kind of totem for ancient Gallic tribes
Note that the Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois), or cockerel, is the French national emblem, as symbolic as the stylised French Lily. From the very roots of French history, the Latin word Gallus means both "rooster" and "inhabitant of Gaul".

Re: Gallon even more

denisehildrew97 — 2009-04-04 20:21:37Z

Hello Pam
Im being cheeky here were you married to Derek he has 2 sister's Margaret and Joan, if we are on the right one.

My dad was Billy, he passed away in 1996. I have got a lot of the family tree done, if you have any more i would be grateful for the information.

You can email me at Denise54@hotmail.com.

Re: Gallon even more

pamgallon60 — 2009-04-04 19:29:38Z

My ex Father in law was Joseph Gallon. His parents were John Gallon and Sarah Cochrane. I don't have much info, but can point you to Gallons of the past as I've done their tree for my sons

Re: MAUD WILSON GALLON BORN 3RD AUGUST 1911

joycelatto — 2009-02-27 19:17:32Z

Hi - received your message. Would be interested to hear more info re. Maud Wilson Gallon. Are you in USA?

Joyce

Re: MAUD WILSON GALLON BORN 3RD AUGUST 1911

fourquarts — 2009-02-27 15:25:47Z

Hello, I am Richard W. Gallon III, grnadson of Maud Stricklen and Richard W., Sr. Maud Wilson Gallon is my great aunt.
Let me search my records for more information on Aunt Maud for you.
If possible please notify me of your reciept of this message.
Cheers,
R.W. (Bill)Gallon III

MAUD WILSON GALLON BORN 3RD AUGUST 1911

joycelatto — 2009-02-08 13:32:24Z

Am searching for relatives of Maud Wilson Gallon daughter of Richard W. Gallon and, I believe, Maud Stricklen. I have no idea where in the world they lived but I came across her birth announcement recently and would be interested to contact relatives.

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

dbordiso — 2009-01-04 08:45:11Z

Hi Ronel Gallon. I am Denise (Gallon) Bordisso of the USA.

What information are you looking for on the Gallon name?

Hope to hear from you soon, Denise

Re: William Gallon So.Shields

libras56 — 2009-01-01 05:21:25Z

hi im ronel gallon from philippines

Joseph Gallon of MD

olclarke — 2007-11-12 00:38:25Z

Seeking parents & siblings for Joseph b abt 1915 in Baltimore. He marr Virginia Louise Coleman 8 June 1938. Her parents were Charles Arthur Coleman Sr. & Fannie Louise Whitestone of Culpeper Co Va. Have one child for them:
Donald Lee b 22 Mar 1942 . Any info on this family appreciated.
Ollie

Re: Name Origin

mcgala — 2007-02-26 03:52:16Z

Hello Tom;

Thanks for pointing out the error of the statement about the founding of Gallen Priory. I am usually very cautious about new information and generally try to confirm and re-confirm any that is new. However in this case I was too quick to take an interest because the statement about the Priory seemed to confirm other information of a similar nature. That being, that some, if not all, of the Laighin Tribe of myth and early historical times arrived in Ireland by way of Briton. The Laighin are said to be the Gaileoin of myth and that they survived into historical times as the Gailenga. The modern Province of Leinster is said to be named for them.

The Laighin according to some were named for the unique type of spears with which they armed themselves.
Therefore, the name Ghailline and title "Chieftan of The Dishonoured Spear" appeared to be right in time, place and name as a namesake for Gallen Priory.

I have found a new website that appears to be that of a newly formed government agency of The Republic of Ireland. One of the agency's purposes is to translate the anglicized spelling of Irish place names into Irish Gaelic as a means to promote the use of the Irish Gaelic Language.

Since the agency is relatively new they have not yet documented a large amount of information but it is expected that progress will be made over time.

Site address is; http://www.pobail.ie/

This promises to be an interesting site as time goes on.

Bruce

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2007-02-24 16:53:34Z

Hello Bruce:

I finally got some time to check on the names you gave in your last post. The names are associated with Gallen Parish and Priory in County Offaly. The first web site is completely in error. Gallen of the Britons was not a chief. That was the name of the priory at one time. The Britons were the Welsh monks in the priory. Dishonoured Spear was the name Cormac Gaileng who, I believe, had nothing to do with Gallen Parish.

When I began investigating my name, I started seeing those Gallen names in the maps of Ireland. One of the first was the Gallen Priory in County Offaly. My curiosity had me write to the county about the name. The County Secretary kindly sent me several documents.

The following is from "A Land by the River of God - A History of Ferlane Parish" by Brendan Ryan. "This monastic settlement, founded by St. Canoc of Wales, flourished around 492. He was the brother of St. David. The word gall means foreigner, hence the name Gallen." Later he writes, " GALLEN: Gailinn, a rock or standing stone. O'Donovan gives it as 'the place of the foreigner'"

While I was killing time at the National Library in Dublin, I came across a book giving a short history about Gaileng. I'm sorry that I didn’t document its title and author. It stated that Cormac Gaileng was the son of Todg of Munster. Cormac was also known as Cormac of the Dishonoured Spear. He got his name from something he did that displeased his father and he had to flee to Connacht. The Irish High King, Cormack mac Art granted Gaileng land in Connacht which he and his son Luigh ruled as the Gailenga Kingdom. The descendants of Cormac and Luigh became known as the Gailenga Tribe.

I hope that the above agrees with your research.

Tom

Re: Name Origin

mcgala — 2007-02-11 03:08:25Z

Tom;

Search on the word "Ghailline"

And a separate search on the word "Gladufa"

You will find information that is of interest.

Bruce

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2007-02-10 20:38:04Z

Bruce:

Thank you for the information. You have done excellent research on this topic.

Here is some additional information on the Gallons of Ulster. My Gallen/Gallon ancestors lived in Donaghmore Parish in County Donegal. It appears that Gallons lived in that parish as far back as 1609 AD according to the "Patent Rolls of James I: Inquisition at Lifford - 1609" This document, easily found on the internet, lists the herenaghs of land in the parishes of Donegal following the flight of the earls. The document states that the Mointergallon and Mointergarredie were the herenaghs of church land in Donoghmore (sic) parish and paid rent for their tenure to the Bishop of Derry. It is assumed that the term “Mointer” in this document refers to the Irish word Muintir (kin).

Tom

Re: Name Origin

mcgala — 2007-02-08 01:17:00Z

Hello Tom;

As I have said, most of what I have with reference to the origin of the surname Gallen and other variant spellings of the same name was taken from internet sources which associate the name Gallen and Gallion and other variants with the Gailenga Tribes.

To avoid possible trespass on copyrights some of the information will be entered here in a bare facts style only. Other entries will be entered verbatim. If you are interested in exploring the source links on your own I will be happy to send them directly to your e-mail address since I am not sure that posting external links on this site is permitted.

One site refers to the Gallen as descending from Cormac Gaileng. That those descendants were the Gailenga. And that the Barony of Gallen in Mayo was named for them.

Another site refers to a branch of the Gailenga in Leinster as the Great Gailenga.
And that their name survives today in the Barony of Morgallion in County Meath.

M1530 (The year of Christ)
“A great depredation by Hugh Boy O’Donnell in Gaileanga Gallen in the County of Mayo.” The “Gallen …………Mayo” entry here I think was probably an entry of explanation entered by the Four Masters. (Source: Part 3 of Annals of the Four Masters as posted on the University College, Cork, Ireland website)

“A great hosting by Brian son of Domnall son of Muirch O Conchobair just before Lammas. He went first into Gallen and then into Clan Cuan and Carra and Kilmaine, taking with him Clan Muiris na mBrig and their drovers. The Clan Uilliam Burc with O Flaithbertairg, the Muinter Maille, The Barrets, the Gailenga, the Coisdelbaig and the Standons assembled to oppose him; but they did not engage or give battle to him and in spite of them he burned these districts and devastated their fields and fired their strong places, to wit, Castlebar, Lehinch and Baile Locha Mesca, and sent the Clan Muiris with their drovers home afterwards. He then forced the Galls and Gaels of Connacht to conclude a peace and returned home safe and sound.” (Source: Annala Connacht, as posted on the University College, Cork, Ireland website)
Note that the reference to Gallen here is either the barony of Gallen in Mayo or the ancient Province of Leinster. Leinster was known first in the centuries BC as Galion or Galian after the Laighin Celt tribe that was believed to be the Gaileoin of myth that survived into historical times as the Gailenga. This passage was not dated so I have no way of hazarding a guess as to the time frame.

There are other sites that associate these names and tribes as one and the same. I have posted only a few here for the sake of brevity.

There is a genealogy of the Gailenga on the web. When I find it again I will post it for you to see.

Bruce

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2007-02-05 16:22:53Z

Hello again Bruce:

I have a few more comments about the surname.

As you remarked, family surnames came into fashion in around 1000AD. Before that, surnames were more of a nickname to differentiate people with the same personal name. It usually referred to a physical characteristic of the person like big (mor), red haired (rua), or black haired (dubh). It could also refer to the father of the individual (MacArt for example). It could refer to where the person once lived as well. There was even a Fergus Gallen in the 2nd century. Fergus was the son of Tibraite Tireach, the King of Ulster in 157 AD. The name Gallen was a personal nickname and wasn't passed on to his son Angus Goibnenn, who also became King of Ulster. Perhaps Fergus was fostered in Gailenga.

After 1000 AD with the growing population, it seems that the use of family surnames became practical to differentiate individuals with the same personal or Christian name who lived in the same geographical area. I believe that subdivisions of a surname occurred when similar names occurred between individuals with the same surname in a given region as well. New surnames appeared using the name of a family patriarch.

It is interesting that this process is still happening today. In the parish of Donaghmore, County Donegal, Gallen is a fairly common surname. To identify individuals within the same family group, a "nickname" is attached to the name. It is the name of a grandfather or grandmother or another recent ancestor. The nickname is attached to the name and identifies cousins within the sept. There are Fara (Patrick) Gallens, Ferdy (Ferdinand) Gallens, Nancy Gallens, and many others. I could see this turning into another surname subdivision if it were not for cultural changes in recent times that spread many family members to other parts of the country.

On a couple of trips to Ireland, I asked other Gallens I met where they believed the family originated. A few believed that they were descended from a sailor from the Spanish armada who shipwrecked in 1588. (I guess that the sailor's name was Galan.) The Spaniard was hidden from the English in County Donegal where he eventually married and had a family. This supposedly explains the number of Isabels and Ferdinands in Gallen families.

Others believed that they were descended from the ancient kings of Ireland. This sounds a bit snobbish but it is probably true. Considering the number of kings and chieftains of minor kingdoms a thousand years ago, and the exponentially growing number of descendants they had after each generation, it is a wonder that the whole island is not descended from kings.

Some other comments. The Ui Neil were truly the descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages and supplied the high kings and provincial kings of northern and southern Ireland up to the time of Brian Boru. The O'Neills of Ulster, however, were the chieftains of Cenel Eoghain and took the surname because of Niall Glundubh (black knee), the High King of Ireland between 916 and 919 AD. Niall was of the northern Ui Neils, being a descendant of Eoghan, son of Niall, but the O'Neill sept that ruled in Ulster didn’t start using the name until after the death of Glundubh. There are many other O'Neill septs who are not really related to the Ulster O'Neills. Niall was a very common personal name in the past.

Lastly, you are the third person with whom I corresponded who believes that the name Gallon and its variations is related to the Gailenga tribes. I have a hard time understanding this and hope that you will fill me in as to how it is possible. I would like to believe that our name originated in the misty pre-Christian era but reason tells me that almost every Irish surname is based on the personal name of an ancestor and not of a tribe or place.

I believe that the name Gallon originated sometime after the 12th century when the memory of ancient Gailenga was fading. Except for Cormac Gaileng, there seems to be no individual in Gailenga's history with a name that resembles our surname. Would you explain to me how such a connection could take place in the creation of the name?

Tom Gallen

Re: Name Origin

mcgala — 2007-02-03 05:46:38Z

Tom;

Thanks for replying to my post. Your reply was interesting and informative. There is one paragraph in the reply that I would like to enter into my own notes and family file if that is alright with you. You would be credited of course.

My research into name origin is pretty much limited to that which I can glean from the internet. I don’t have access to printed materials close at hand and time restraints prevent me traveling to areas where large libraries and record centers are available for research.
However, there is a lot of good information on Irish history and mythology on the web. But, you have to learn to separate the credible from the questionable. And there is plenty of both categories on the net. Fortunately, some of the American and Irish Universities maintain websites on which they enter much about Irish History and Mythology.

As for my research on name origin I am working under the premise that present forms of Irish names are an Anglicization of the original Celtic names. In the 16th and 17th centuries the English subjugated and denigrated the Irish to such a degree that by the end of the 17th century many of the Irish had begun to disassociate themselves with their own heritage and culture. One of the first things to go were the name prefixes, Mac and O’.
Even the Irish (Gaelic) language was replaced with English. By the end of the 19th century there was a resurgence of Irish pride and culture and some began to reinstate the Mac or O’ prefix to their name. In this reinstatement process some names were given the wrong prefix, Some O names were given the Mac prefix and vice versa. Many families never reaffixed either prefix to their name. Because of the assault on their heritage some may have purposely discarded the prefix entirely. The closer the enemy the greater the effect of degradation, therefore any Irish in England during the oppression or before or shortly after may have had much less motivation to make their heritage and ties with Ireland known. Quite the opposite I would imagine.

Along with the military and social assaults on the Irish came an Anglicization of Irish or Gaelic names. Many Irish names today bear little or no resemblance to their original Gaelic spelling and pronunciation. For example, Gilmore in Gaelic is Mac Ghiolla Mhuir. ( spelling may not be correct) Kelly and O’Kelly also have a much different spelling and pronunciation in Irish Gaelic. The Anglicization of O’Kelly and Gilmore
is typical of many Irish names. When recorded by the English, Gaelic names were spelled and pronounced as an English “translation” of the name. Therefore the transition from Gaelic to English corrupted the Gaelic name in spelling and pronunciation and caused many spelling variants.

It is said that the Irish Celts were among the first to utilize surnames beginning about the 9th or 10th century. Some believe the O names came first with the Mac names following shortly after. These prefixes denote family kinship which seems to be the guiding force of the Irish in establishing a surname. Unlike other peoples of the time there were probably few, if any, Irish surnames that were derived from a place or occupation.

As I have said before, I believe that the names, Gallon, Gallen, Gallion and others are an Anglicization of Irish Gaelic names and are one and the same. That the names were derived from the prominent Gailenga tribes of early historical times and whose bearers may be descended from Cormac Gaileng , a noted chieftan of the Gailenga. And that Cormac and his ancestors descended from the Gaileoin of Irish myth of which has been said by some scholars to be real peoples who survived and increased in number and standing into historical times.

As a comparison to the Gailenga, the Ui Neil (O’Neil) seem to present a similar chronology. The surname is ultimately derived from Niall of The Nine Hostages a famous Ulster Leader who established the Ui Neil dynasty that held power in Ireland for hundreds of years. By the time of the formation of surnames, the O’Neil name represented individuals and the clan as a whole.

The reader is cautioned to not take any of the above as documented fact. It is not. I present it here as a hypothesis merely to stimulate thought, observation and speculation as to the origin of what may be some of the world’s oldest surnames. And that through thought, speculation and exchange of ideas, documented facts may be learned of the origins of these names……………………….Bruce McGallion

Re: Name Origin

tgallen6666 — 2007-01-31 19:48:07Z

Thanks for the interesting discussion. Since I posted my original question in 2001, I have done a little more research on my name. Because my paternal ancestors were Irish, what I found would only apply to Irish Gallens (Gallons). Most of the following are my opinions about the name.

I'll admit that I could be wrong but I still don’t believe that the several Gallon-like names that show up in other countries are the result of Irish emigration. The Gallens of Ireland were poor croppies and not part of the Flight of the Earls or the flight of the Wild Geese in the 17th century. I do believe that some Gallens could have been part of forced transportation to the British American colonies or Australia for punishment reasons. They could have emigrated to Scotland and England for economic reasons. However, when I see Gallon-like names showing up in other non-English speaking countries, I believe that it is a coincidence. The Gallon name is too simply constructed and similar to other foreign words.

I still see no connection between the Gallons of northeastern England and the Irish Gallens (Gallons). Until I do, I'll see the similar names as a coincidence. I don’t think that the pocket of Gallons in Newcastle Upon Tyne believe that they have Irish ancestors.

I believe that the name is phonetic and spelled similar to how the person writing it heard it. That results in spelling variations such as Gallon, Gallen, Gallin, and so on. In Ireland, the tithe records show the name as Gallon. In the Griffith Valuation, it is spelled Gallen, Gallon, and Gallan. In the parish records it is spelled Gallen. My ancestors were Gallons in the ship’s passenger list. My ancestors were Gallons in the U.S. census before 1880. They were Gallens after that.

In Ireland, as far as placenames go, there are several towns, townlands, parishes, and baronies with the name Gallon or Gallen imbedded in the name. From my investigations, the gallon in the name refers to the Irish word gallan which means standing stone pillars (the mysterious monuments from Iron Age times) that are found at or nearby the locations with the name. In the case of Gallen Barony, I believe that the name comes from the ancient Gailenga Kingdom that existed in southern Ireland. Thanks for the information about Carrigallen. I was always under the impression that it meant Allen's Rock because it was somewhat near Lough Allen.

In his book, Surnames of Ireland, Edward MacLysaght listed two Irish septs with the name Gallen (Gallon). MacLysaght was the first Chief Herald of Ireland when the position was created in the 20th century. He lists the O'Gallain sept from the kingdom of Breffney (County Cavan vicinity) and the O'Gaillin sept, part of the Cenel Eoghain of Ulster. I believe that MacLysaght received his information from earlier genealogists like Reverend Patrick Woulfe and Duald McFirbis.

There was a genealogy of Inishowen septs written around 1632 by Cucogny O'Clery, one of the writers of the Annals of the Four Masters. It lists 6 septs descended from Dairmid, the king of Carrickabraghey. The O'Gaillin sept was one of them.

Because my name was preceded by an O, I assume that the Gallen (Gallon) part of the name refers to the personal name of a distinguished ancestor and not a place or tribe like Gailenga. This is true of the vast majority of Macs and O's. He (or she) was some ancestor with the first name of Gallin or something that sounded like Gallin.

These are my views on the name as it applies to Irish Gallons. I could be way off base. I'd like to hear other opinions. …… Tom Gallen

Re: Name Origin

mcgala — 2007-01-04 04:13:35Z

In my humble opinion, emphasis on humble, the Gallon name has several variants of which, Gallen, Gallin, Gallan, Gallion and others are included. These name variants can also be found with the "Mc" prefix and may have originally been formed as a surname with the "O" prefix. The website "davidalarkin.com" can provide some familiarity with the history of prefixes and how they were changed and degraded under English subjugation ca. 16th-17th centuries.

The origins of the name may be grounded in Irish Mythology from about 1000 tO 300 BC. Like the Greeks and Romans the Irish have a rich mythology tradition. In Irish mythology some of the people and events are believed to have been real people and events with some of the people surviviing and flourishing into historical times, beginning about 500 AD.

One of these "races" or "tribes," as described in the myths, was the race of the Gaileoin, a warrior tribe who play a prominent role in the mythical "Tain Bo Cualainge," anglicized as "The Cattle Raid of Cooley."

It is believed by scholars and researchers that the Gaileoin survived to and flourished into historical times as the "Gailenga." By about the 7th or 8th century AD they had formed into at least two major tribes, the Gailenga Brecc of Connaght and the Gailenga Mor of Leinster. About the 10th century AD the Normans (French) invaded Ireland and became influential in Irish politics. They divided parts of the Island into baronies as political or administrative districts.

In Connaght, the Gailenga Brecc (Sp.?) were noted by the creation of the barony of Carrigallen and the Gailenga Mor in Leinster had their name preserved in the Barony of Morgallion. This may be where the French connection to the name originated. As for the name being found in England, France and other European countries, it seems the Irish have long practiced immigration, even centuties before the famine of the mid 1800s. As for the US and Canada, Irish and Scot-Irish began at the latest in the early 1700s.

As for the name being found in Scotland, here again, Irish immigration is very probably a factor. There has long been the practice of the Irish traveling back and forth between the two countries. In fact, if memory serves, The Irish in the early centuries AD considered Scotland as a part of Ireland and many of the Irish clans and septs established branches in Scotland, hence the occurence of surnames presently common to both countries.

Again, readers are cautioned not to take the above as documented fact. It isn't. It merely represents amateurish research conducted in pursuit of the origins of my own name. And I would be interested in the thoughts and opinions of others with reference to the above.

Re: MORE GALLONS

2006-08-23 06:19:59Z

Looking for information on my ggg-grandfather James Gallon. He married Mary Louise Bonberry. I have no date on when eather of them were born.
They ended up in Canada.