Recorded in many spellings including Julian, Julien, Julyan, Gillian, Gillion, Gellion (English), Julian, Julien, Jullien, Joul, Joulin, Joulain, Jeulin (France), Giuliano, Iuliano, Juliano (Italian), Zulian (Venetian, Julian, Julia, Illan (Spanish and Catalan), and many others, this is a surname which is ultimately of pre Christian Roman origins. It derives from "Julius", the famous Roman clan name most represented by Julius Caesar. The name is of uncertain etymology, but is thought to be a derivative of "Iovis", meaning the supreme god, whose name is akin to the Latin words for sky, light and day. This name, as an original personal or baptismal name, was popular throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, through its association with several early Christian saints including St. Julian the Hospitaller, who was also the patron saint of travellers. It first came to England in the late 12th century, and was often borne by women. The modern girl's name as Julia, Juliet, Gill or Gillian are immediate derivatives. An early example of the first name spelling was that of Julian de Horbelinghe in a charter relating to the Gilbertine monastery of the county of Lincolnshire, in 1189, whilst examples of the early surname recordings include: Roger Juliane of Cambridgeshire, in the Hundred Rolls of 1273; Henry Julian of Suffolk in the tax records of 1327; and Geoffrey Julyan, in the Close Rolls of the city of London, in 1344. A coat of arms granted to the family depicts an azure shield, charged with a silver lion rampant wielding a sword. The first recorded spelling of the family name in England is shown to be that of Walter Julien. This was dated 1200, in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King John of England, 1199 - 1216. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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