Note on the probable origin of the Scottish surname of Gemmill or Gemmell

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THE LEAHEAD BRANCH— in part.
John Gemmell, who succeeded to Lugtonridge and Leahead as above, b. 1735,
was an influential and highly esteemed resident of the County of Ayr. Phy-
sically he was a tall and powerful man — 6 feet 4 inches in height, lived
to an old age— received his second eyesight and the unusual phenomenon of
a third set of teeth. He owned seven farms, including Lugtonridge, the
neighbouring lands of Leahead, where be resided, and part of Aiket. At
his death, May, 1821, he left Lugtonridge and Leahead to his two daughters
respectively — the remainder of his lands passing to his grandsons, children
of Andrew Brown. He m. 31 July, 1762, Margaret, daughter of William
Montgomerie, of Auchentiber, who d. March, 1820, aged 79 years, and had
two daughters, Margaret and Janet, The eldest,
Margaret Gemmell, who succeeded to Lugtonridge, m. 27 Dec, 1784, Andrew
Brown, of Hillhouse, and Clerkhill, J. P., and Writer in Stewarton. She
d. August, 1839, aged 77 years. They had issue 8 children : —
1. Andrew Brown, of Hillhouse and Clerkhill, Surgeon in the Bast India
Company's Service. B. 3 Nov. J785. After serving his full time in
India, he returned to Scotland in his 39th year, and became a Justice of
the Peace and Baillie of Stewarton, He lived at Clerkhill, where he
maintained extensive kennels, and was one of the most successful
breeders of greyhounds in the West of Scotland. He was very successful
in coursing, and took many prizes. He is described as having been a
fine, genial, warmhearted gentleman, and most charitable to the poor of
his parish. He died unmarried 3 Nov., 1861.
2. Margaret Brown m. John Tennent, merchant in Glasgow, and had
issue 8 children : —
(1), John.Tennent. Educated at Glasgow Univ., where he distinguished
himself. He was an intimate friend of Thos. Campbell,_the Poet —
they were fellow collegians. He practiced as a Writer in Glasgow,
and was engaged by the then new Railway Companies to conduct
their business. in London. Overwork and the shock of a railway
accident cut short his life at a comparatively early [age. He m.
Anne, eldest dau. of Mr. Bolding, of London, but died without issue.
(2). Andrew Tennent, also a Writer in Glasgow — like his brother
suffered from a railway accident, in which his leg was broken.
He died in early middle life. M. Miss Hamilton, of Glasgow,
but left no issue.
(3). Margaret Tennent m. William L. Donaldson, Solicitor in London,
second son of James Donaldson of Williamshaw, 1 Stewarton, and
Jane Leverton. He was b. 1803 and d. 1861. She succeeded to
Hillhouse and was also owner of Old Hall, Dunlop, and resided at
8 Addison Gardens, North Kensington, London. She d. 25 Nov.,
1893, having had eight children as follows: —
J. Williamshaw is now owned by Thomas Olinthus Donaldson.