Galloway is a territorial name that originated in the ancient princedom (and modern district) of the same name. Records of this name also appear in Dunbartonshire and on the east coast of Scotland. One of the better known members of this clan is Robert Galloway (1752-1794) who, as well as working as a shoemaker, bookseller and librarian, was also the author of "Poems, Epistles and Songs in the Scottish Dialect."

Another distinguished Galloway was General Sir Archibald Galloway who, along with serving 35 years in the East India Company (which he became chairman of in 1849), was also made a Knight of the Order of the Bath. The name Galloway is also recognizable from the rare breed of native Scottish cattle which are found in the district and bear the same name.