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. Awarded large tracts of land by in Meath and Westmeath, one of their first Mott & Baileys can still be found at Dunnamona before the establishment of stone strutures such as Portlick Castle.

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

The name evolved into the Irish-language "Diolun"/English-language "Dillon" (not to be confused with the Welsh given name Dylan). It is still 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." [2]



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. "select.surname.com".

References
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