A Little History
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Because it’s St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I ought to take a little time to honor my Irish heritage. Now, granted, I don’t know a whole lot about my family history. It’s not something that got discussed much while I was growing up. I should probably use something like Genealogy Bank (which you can visit here) to start exploring my heritage, as I’m sure I would be able to trace it back quite a long way. I am a little ashamed that I don’t know much about my family history. But, I do know that I before I got married that my last name was Dillon. And that’s very Irish. (Plus I can use it for an excuse for my temper.)
History
The first person called Dillon came to Ireland in 1185. This was Sir Henry de Leon (later Anglicized to “Dillon”), who was originally from Brittany, France, and came to Ireland to act as secretary to then-Prince John (later King John, of Robin Hood fame). The name “de Leon” itself can be traced back to the town of Lyon in France, as “de” in French names means “from.” This means that “de Leon” literally translates to “from Lyon” in French.
So how did “de Leon” transform into “Dillon” to become a very well-recognized Irish surname? Once Sir Henry de Leon arrived in Ireland, the name was there to stay. As the de Leon family multiplied and spread out over the country, it began being called by its Gaelic form, “O’ Duilleain.” As the family grew and members began appearing more and more often in church and government records, the clerks who recorded such information wrote the name down as it sounded to them, further Anglicizing the name to “Dillon.”
From the time of Sir Henry de Leon’s arrival in Ireland, the Dillon name has continued to play a prominent part in Irish history. Nobles and peasants alike have shared this venerable Irish surname, and the Viscomtes Dillon title continues to exist and be passed down from generation to generation (the current holder of that title is Henry, 22nd Viscount of Costello-Galen and Count of France). This Irish last name is plentiful throughout the country, but is found in the greatest concentrations in the counties of Meath, Roscommon, and Westmeath. In fact, the Dillon family once owned so much land in Westmeath County, that the county itself became popularly known as “Dillon’s County.” Dillon’s can now be found throughout the world thanks to extensive emigration in the 19th century.
Family Motto
Dum Spiro, Spero. – a latin phrase that translates: While I have breath, I have hope.
de Leon has nothing at all to do with Lyon in France. Leon is a part of Brittany which was independent until absorbed by Henry II of England. Henry de Leon was one of the hostages King Henry took after many battles with the Counts/Viscounts of Brittany. The parents of Henry are obscure but research is underway to attempt to identify his origins. It may be impossible because it is stated that Henry de Leon came from a cadet (minor/junior) branch of the Lords of Leon. However we do know that Henry de Leon was both friend and later advisor to Prince John (later King) who granted him his lands in Ireland about 1185. All the information is buried in the Histories of Brittany. Fresh eyes may uncover a ‘source’ for Henry. Please tell the Dillons of this world (there are millions of us).
Ken Dillon
Same here.. cant get past Sir Henry. More than an adviser, I have gathered that he was his personal security advisor as well.
Hi my name Gary Dillon from Newfoundland Canada.In searching my Dillon roots I have been told that all Dillons from Ireland came from Henry.Do anybody know any truth to that?
Unfortunately, I do not. I know quite a lot about the family lines on my mother’s side, but very little about my father’s.