Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X, list of Scottish personal names).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GILES. Also Geels, Geils, Jeeles. 1. As a man's name, associated with the name of the patron saint of Edinburgh orig. St. Aegidius, 7th c. Gaulish saint (Edb. 1886 R. F. Hardy Katie i., Geels); 2. As a female name, a variant of Jill, Julia (Lnk. 1711 Minutes J.P.s (S.H.S.) 122, Geils; Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 28; Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick iii.). See -Se, suff. In some cases however the form may represent a pet variant of a rare Gilia, the fem. of Giles above, from Lat. Aegidia. [dʒilz]
