Gilfoyle is a Gaelic name with a devotional meaning, long settled in the Irish midlands.
Where does the Gilfoyle name come from?
Gilfoyle is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Phóil, meaning “son of the servant or devotee of Saint Paul.” Names of this kind, built with giolla (servant or follower), were common in Gaelic Ireland and reflect the deep place of the saints in early Irish life. It is also seen as Guilfoyle and Kilfoyle.
Gilfoyle in Ireland
The name is associated particularly with the midlands, especially the area of Offaly and the old territory of Ely O’Carroll. As a Gaelic name, it appears in several spellings and is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Gilfoyle comes from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Phóil.
- It means “son of the devotee of Saint Paul.”
- The element giolla means a servant or follower.
- It is associated with the midlands, especially Offaly.
- It is also seen as Guilfoyle and Kilfoyle.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Gahan, Gibney, and Barry.
Carry the Gilfoyle name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Gilfoyle collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilfoyle an Irish surname?
Yes — Gilfoyle is a Gaelic Irish surname, from Mac Giolla Phóil, associated especially with the midlands and Offaly.
What does Gilfoyle mean?
It means “son of the servant or devotee of Saint Paul.”
Is there a Gilfoyle family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Gilfoyle products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
