I know Hillyard is a Huguenot name and would like to eventually trace my line back to France if possible.

There don't appear to be very many Hillyards in Ireland. Mine are from the Athlone/Dublin area, and I have noticed some in Northern Ireland as well. It is possible that the two groups are related, but I will wait until I find proof before looking at the Northern Ireland ones.

I have been through the St Mary's church records from Athlone and recorded any Hillyard/Hilliard I found. There were also some real estate records on the microfilm which had some useful information.

I have Francis Bird Hillyard chr. 8 February 1828 at St Mary's, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland parents John & Margaret. The Bird does not appear in the christening record, however does show on his son Francis's death record.

I found real estate record mentioning an Alexander Hillyard of Edgeworthtown and Kenagh. Alexander had 3 sons, William Francis & John. I believe the John is Francis's father. Right age location etc. His brother Francis married an Ann Holden of Moate, West Meath, Ireland on 6 May 1811.

If anyone is looking for Irish Hillyard/Hilliard's I would be interested in exchanging information. The two spelling were used in different places and I think it has to do with who was writing the record. Later records for my Francis all use the Hillyard spelling.

I believe the brother William ended up in Stonehouse, Devon, England. He was in the British army as was my Francis. There was an army base near Athlone.