indicate the level to which a name has been verified.Type Surname
Usage Ancient Hebrew
Meaning & History
The surname "Gile" has a fascinating blend of origins, drawing from both Hebrew and European roots.
One prominent theory traces it to the Hebrew name “Gilead,” meaning “hill of testimony.” This biblical connection suggests that some bearers of the name may have ancestral ties to Jewish communities or regions influenced by biblical naming traditions.
Another strong origin comes from medieval Europe, where Gile is considered a variant of the personal name Giles—itself derived from the Greek Aegidius, meaning “young goat.” This name gained popularity through the veneration of Saint Giles, a 7th-century hermit and patron saint of the disabled, whose cult spread widely across France and England.
Historically, the surname appears in English records as early as the 12th century, with variations like Gyles, Gillis, and Gillisone. It also shows up in Norman and Scottish contexts, sometimes linked to land ownership or clerical roles.
One prominent theory traces it to the Hebrew name “Gilead,” meaning “hill of testimony.” This biblical connection suggests that some bearers of the name may have ancestral ties to Jewish communities or regions influenced by biblical naming traditions.
Another strong origin comes from medieval Europe, where Gile is considered a variant of the personal name Giles—itself derived from the Greek Aegidius, meaning “young goat.” This name gained popularity through the veneration of Saint Giles, a 7th-century hermit and patron saint of the disabled, whose cult spread widely across France and England.
Historically, the surname appears in English records as early as the 12th century, with variations like Gyles, Gillis, and Gillisone. It also shows up in Norman and Scottish contexts, sometimes linked to land ownership or clerical roles.