NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilles

Derived from the French name Gilles, a surname referring to someone who was associated with Saint Giles.

In the 1881 census there were 437 people recorded with the Gilles surname, ranking it #7,472 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 139, ranked #25,001, down from #7,472 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Arisaig and Moidart. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Ipswich and Greenwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilles is 669 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 68.2%.

1881 census count

437

Ranked #7,472

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

1851

669 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilles had 437 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,472 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 669 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gilles surname distribution map

The map shows where the Gilles surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Gilles surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilles over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 669 #3,883
1861 historical 614 #4,339
1881 historical 437 #7,472
1891 historical 469 #7,813
1901 historical 296 #11,749
1911 historical 124 #20,023
1997 modern 131 #22,927
1998 modern 120 #24,793
1999 modern 114 #25,766
2000 modern 125 #24,351
2001 modern 123 #24,242
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 98 #28,046
2004 modern 109 #26,607
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 114 #26,120
2007 modern 120 #25,606
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 115 #27,207
2010 modern 122 #26,876
2011 modern 126 #26,060
2012 modern 117 #27,394
2013 modern 136 #25,252
2014 modern 135 #25,581
2015 modern 135 #25,481
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Gilles' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Arisaig and Moidart, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Ipswich, Greenwich, IZ17 and Hounslow. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Arisaig and Moidart Inverness
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 006 South Hams
2 Ipswich 007 Ipswich
3 Greenwich 029 Greenwich
4 IZ17 West Dunbartonshire
5 Hounslow 014 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilles

These lists show first names that appear often with the Gilles surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gilles

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gilles, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Gilles surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gilles household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gilles is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gilles is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gilles falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gilles is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Gilles, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gilles

The surname Gilles originated in France during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the French personal name Gilles, which itself comes from the Latin name Aegidius, meaning "young goat." The name can be traced back to the 6th century, when a Greek saint named Aegidius lived as a hermit in southern France.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Gilles can be found in various medieval documents from the 12th and 13th centuries in northern France and Normandy. The name was particularly common in the regions of Picardy, Île-de-France, and Normandy. It was often spelled in different ways, such as Gile, Gile, and Gilles.

One notable early bearer of the name was Gilles de Corbeil, a French physician and poet who lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He served as the court physician to King Philip Augustus of France and wrote several medical treatises in verse form.

Another important historical figure with the surname Gilles was Gilles de Rais (1404-1440), a French nobleman and military commander who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War. However, he later became notorious for his crimes of serial murder and was eventually executed for his actions.

In the 15th century, there was a French painter known as Gilles le Breton (c. 1400-1460), who was active in Paris and Bourges. He is known for his illuminated manuscripts and paintings depicting religious scenes and portraits.

The surname Gilles also has a connection to various place names in France, such as Gilles (Normandy), Gilles-les-Bois (Picardy), and Gilles-les-Vignes (Île-de-France). These place names likely contributed to the spread and popularity of the surname in their respective regions.

Another notable bearer of the name was Gilles Corozet (1510-1568), a French historian and writer from Paris. He is best known for his work "Les Antiquitez de Paris," which provided a detailed account of the history and monuments of the city.

Over the centuries, the surname Gilles has been carried by many other notable individuals, including philosophers, artists, and writers, particularly in France and other French-speaking regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gilles families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilles surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Inverness-shire leads with 67 Gilles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.23x.

County Total Index
Inverness-shire 67 51.23x
Lanarkshire 55 3.88x
Middlesex 45 1.03x
Argyllshire 44 36.09x
Renfrewshire 29 8.54x
Ross-shire 20 16.63x
Dunbartonshire 15 12.74x
Surrey 15 0.70x
Angus 14 3.45x
Midlothian 14 2.39x
Yorkshire 14 0.32x
Aberdeenshire 13 3.21x
Ayrshire 11 3.36x
Channel Islands 11 8.48x
Durham 11 0.84x
Fife 10 3.86x
Lancashire 10 0.19x
East Lothian 6 10.34x
Wiltshire 6 1.55x
Essex 5 0.58x
Stirlingshire 5 3.10x
West Lothian 4 6.06x
Buteshire 3 11.30x
Northumberland 3 0.46x
Clackmannanshire 2 5.53x
Glamorgan 2 0.26x
Perthshire 2 1.02x
Berkshire 1 0.30x
Berwickshire 1 1.89x
Cheshire 1 0.10x
Dumfriesshire 1 1.03x
Isle of Man 1 1.23x
Leicestershire 1 0.21x
Morayshire 1 1.47x
Norfolk 1 0.15x
Orkney 1 2.08x
Oxfordshire 1 0.37x
Royal Navy 1 1.92x
Warwickshire 1 0.09x
Worcestershire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilmuir in Inverness-shire leads with 27 Gilles' recorded in 1881 and an index of 701.30x.

Place Total Index
Kilmuir 27 701.30x
Barra 18 550.46x
Glasgow 17 6.76x
Kilmallie 13 207.34x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 11 14.49x
Bonhill 10 52.94x
Paddington London 10 6.21x
Ardnamurchan 9 145.63x
Dundee 9 5.94x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 9 15.95x
Kensington London 9 3.70x
Uig 9 165.14x
Barony 8 2.23x
Dunoon 8 318.73x
East Greenock 8 24.96x
Kilarrow 8 615.38x
Maryhill 8 28.85x
West Greenock 8 13.13x
Cambuslang 7 49.02x
Harris 7 106.54x
Inveresk 7 44.05x
Islington London 7 1.65x
Mauchline 7 185.68x
Bothwell 6 15.62x
Cromarty 6 186.34x
Downton 6 118.34x
Eastwood 6 28.71x
Gladsmuir 6 231.66x
Govan 6 1.71x
Manningham 6 11.22x
North Uist 6 117.65x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 6.81x
St Marylebone London 6 2.57x
St Peter Port 6 24.99x
Croydon 5 4.22x
Markinch 5 56.82x
West Ham 5 2.62x
Abbey 4 7.72x
Shoreditch London 4 2.11x
St Helier 4 9.47x
Stornoway 4 25.51x
Uxbridge 4 80.00x
West Derby 4 2.63x
Whitburn 4 41.97x
Byker 3 9.31x
Camberwell 3 1.07x
Dumbarton 3 18.32x
Dunlop 3 147.06x
Eston 3 31.75x
Kilbride 3 91.74x
Kilchoman 3 78.33x
Kilmonivaig 3 103.45x
Liff Benvie 3 4.87x
Marton In Middlesbrough 3 189.87x
Newbattle 3 59.88x
Wemyss 3 27.35x
Abbotshall 2 20.64x
Aberdeen Old Machar 2 2.36x
Alloa 2 11.40x
Duirinish 2 29.99x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 0.85x
Liverpool 2 0.63x
Montrose 2 8.13x
Paisley High Church 2 7.40x
St Andrew Holborn London 2 10.55x
Bunkle Preston 1 91.74x
Chorley 1 3.43x
Crieff 1 13.68x
Elgin 1 7.55x
Eskdalemuir 1 120.48x
Hackney London 1 0.41x
Kirkintilloch 1 6.25x
Lambeth 1 0.26x
Lower Booths 1 10.74x
New Monkland 1 2.39x
Polmont 1 16.78x
Portree 1 20.66x
Strachur Stralachlan 1 99.01x
Westminster St Margaret 1 4.73x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gilles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 5
Sarah 5
Elizabeth 3
Jane 3
Margaret 3
Adele 2
Annie 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Christina 2
Eleanor 2
Emily 2
Ethel 2
Hannah 2
May 2
Alphonsine 1
Ann 1
Anne 1
Dorothy 1
Elspeth 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Florence 1
Helen 1
Hilda 1
Isaba. 1
Isabella 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Lueanie 1
Mabel 1
Margt. 1
Margueritte 1
Rosa 1
Rosaline 1
Ruth 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gilles surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 9
William 7
Charles 5
George 5
Wm. 4
Alfred 3
Chas.D. 2
Ernest 2
Francois 2
Frank 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Thos. 2
Alexander 1
Allain 1
Archibald 1
Bertie 1
Edgard 1
Edward 1
Ellison 1
Enoch 1
Graham 1
Harmann 1
Harrmann 1
Henery 1
James 1
Jas. 1
Jean 1
Jules 1
Maximillan 1
Pierre 1
Richard 1
Stanley 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Gilles surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilles surname in 1881?

In 1881, 437 people were recorded with the Gilles surname. That placed it at #7,472 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilles surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Gilles a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Gilles surname mean?

Derived from the French name Gilles, a surname referring to someone who was associated with Saint Giles.

What does the Gilles map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gilles bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.