Surname Gilles - Meaning and Origin
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Gilles: What does the surname Gilles mean?
The surname Gilles is of French origin and it is derived from a personal name. This name is a French form of the Greek name "Aegidius," which means "shield of goatskin" or "young goat." Aegidius was the name of a 7th-century French saint who was popular in the Middle Ages, particularly among the Crusaders. This saint was known for his miracles associated with the protection of humans and especially breastfeeding mothers. In this way, the name Gilles may also be associated with concepts such as protection and nurture. However, it is important to remember that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings, so the specific meaning can vary between different families.
Order DNA origin analysisGilles: Where does the name Gilles come from?
The last name Gilles is of French origin. It is derived from the personal name Giles, which itself stems from the Greek name Aegidius, meaning "young goat" or "shield bearer." Over time, the name Giles morphed into Gilles in the French language. This surname was first found in Languedoc, a former province in the South of France.
In the Middle Ages, Gilles was a common first name and it likely transitioned into use as a surname as patronymic names became prevalent. Patronymic names were based on the first names of the father, thus the surname Gilles would represent "son of Giles".
Today, the surname Gilles is fairly common in France, particularly in the northern regions. Graffitied walls in Paris show the name Gilles in large bold letters, a testament to its popularity. Besides France, the surname Gilles can also be found in Belgium and other Francophone countries. In Belgium, it ranks as one of the country’s most common surnames. Additionally, due to historical emigration, it can also be found among people of French descent in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Gilles
The surname Gilles has a number of variants and similar spellings, many of which are derived from the same origin. The name is believed to have originated from the Greek name Aegidius, which means 'shield-bearer' or 'young goat'.
Variants and similar spellings of Gilles include among others: Gills, Gillis, Gillies, Gille, Giles, Gyles, Gyllis, and McGillis. Sometimes it can also be found under the spelling Jiles or Jills due to regional pronunciation difference. The name can also appear with prefix such as FitzGiles, indicating a paternal link, or with suffixes like -son (Gillson, Gileson), signifying 'son of' Gilles or Giles.
It's significant to mention that surnames often change over time and can be shaped by factors such as geographical location, regional dialects, and even literacy levels. Thus, while these variants are associated with the surname Gilles, there might be other less-common versions of the name not listed here.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, Egidius or its shortened form, Giles, is the most common. The surname Gildas, used primarily in France, also shares the same root origin.
Famous people with the name Gilles
- Anita Gilles: She is a popular fashion model.
- Adolphe Gilles: A French long-distance runner who competed in the early 20th century.
- Denise Gilles: A French chess player.
- Christophe Gilles: A renowned French footballer.
- Maximilien Gilles: A prominent French actor known for his roles in various TV series and films.
- Eddie Gilles: An American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s.
- Jack Gilles: A British actor known for roles in popular films and TV shows.
- Jeannine Gilles: An actress who appeared in multiple French films in the mid-20th century.
- Marc Gilles: A Belgian politician who served as Minister-President of the Walloon Region.
- Yvon Gilles: A French cyclist who competed in the Tour de France in the 1940s.
- Théodore Gilles: A French singer and composer.
- Pierre Gilles: A French scholar and humanist in the 16th century.
- Bruno Gilles: A French politician, member of the Republicans party.
- Gilles Gilles: A French sculptor from the 17th century.
- Thomas Gilles: A Canadian ice hockey player.