Dillon (surname)

Dillon is a surname of Irish origin but with Breton-Norman roots.[1] The name first appeared in Ireland with the arrival of Sir Henry de Leon (c.1176 – 1244), of a cadet branch of Viscounty of Léon, Brittany, accompanying Prince John (later King John) of England. Sir Henry married Maude de Courcey.

The Dillon motto: Dum Spiro, Spero (While I breathe, I hope)

According to the “Book of Armagh” Lochan Dilmhain or Dilionn was the ancestor of “Dillon” of Dillons country in County Westmeath. In Irish, this area was known as Cuircneach. Lochan was, according to some genealogists a brother of Colman Mór, King of Meath and a great grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages who brought St. Patrick to Ireland as a slave . Lochan, we are told, fled to France after killing his brother Colman Mór. He and his descendants remained in France and in the 7th Century Dillon was made the Duke of Acquitane and many of that family became Counts and Generals in both French and Austrian armies[2]

[2]

The name evolved into the Irish-language "Diolun"/English-language "Dillon" (not to be confused with the Welsh given name Dylan). It is particularly common in the Meath and Westmeath counties of Ireland where the Dillons were granted vast areas of land. The name is now widespread throughout Ireland. The Dillon family later became the Barons Clonbrock and Earls of Roscommon. The family in Ireland was honoured with six compositions (music & poetry) composed by Turlough Carolan: Tiarna Duilleain - Lord Dillon; Róis Duilleain - Lady Rose Dillon jig; Gearalt Duilleain - Gerald Dillon; Fainní Duilleain - Fanny Dillon; Comhairleoir Duilleain - Coun. Dillon; Lúcás Ó Duilleain - Luke Dillon..

There is an old Irish saying: "All the Dillons descended from Henry de Leon." [3]



Dillon is the family name of the following individuals:

Notes
  1. Grenham, John (1994). The Little Book of Irish Clans. Dublin, Ireland: John Hinde. p. 19. ISBN 0-7858-0083-2.
  2. "Beara way".
  3. "select.surname.com".
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References
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