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GILDEA Family History

Recorded as Kildea and Gildea, this interesting surname is Irish. It originates from the Gaelic Mac giolla Dhe, meaning the servant of god from the elments Mac meaning son of, Giolla, a servant, and Dhe, God. The surname in some places it has been corrupted to Gay, whilst in others by a curious semi-translation it has been changed to Benison. It is primarily a Donegal sept, but like so many of the followers of the O'Donnells some of its families migrated to Mayo, where, with Donegal, it is chiefly found today. In 1624, Daniel Guilday was vicar-general of the diocese of Killaloe, Co...