More on Septs

[MacSpadger]

From Surnames of Ireland by MacLysaght

Gilbert-This name has long been prominent in Leinster, Gilbertstown is now found as a place-name in five counties--two (Louth and Westmeath) in the sixteenth century.

MacLysaght usually says if a name is Scottish, English, or Norman if he knows. In this case he does not render an opinion. I think we can safely say not Gaelic but perhaps in time more Irish than the Irish. Certainly prominent or at least prolific to have five towns of the name.

The amount of placenames may be due to the rather heavyhanded influence of the Englishman Humphrey Gilbert, who was an early "pioneer" of colonisation in Ireland, later known as The Plantations. He confiscated lands occupied by both Gaelic speakers and Hiberno-Norman dynasties in the 16th century, and gave control to settlers from England & Wales. He was made governor of Ulster and served as a member of the Irish parliament. He built many settlements in Ireland. He invaded Leinster in 1569 and captured 30-40 castles in this time. Many Irish were killed in this campaign, including women and children, and it was reported that he was made a knight amidst piles of dead Irish bodies. It's generally believed that the 16th century Irish placenames containing "Gilbert" stem from this rather brutish Devonshire man.