Surname Gillet - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling the History of the Gillet Surname through the Lens of iGENEA DNA Analysis
Utilizing iGENEA's extensive services, I delved deep into the roots of my surname, Gillet. With a simple saliva swab and iGENEA's sophisticated genetic analysis, I embarked on an informative journey through centuries, tracing the Gillet surname from its ancient Western European origins to its possible connections with Celtic tribes and Norman warriors.
A. Gillet
read moreGillet: What does the surname Gillet mean?
The last name Gillet is of French origin and derives from the popular personal name "Gilles," which is the French equivalent of the English name Giles. The suffix '-et' in French typically denotes 'small' or 'little', suggesting that 'Gillet' may indicate being a son or younger relation of someone named Gilles. The English surname "Giles" itself stems from the Greek name "Aegidius," meaning "the bearer of a goatskin," a reference to a holy man or a hermit. Over time, Aegidius became Giles in English and Gilles in French, and eventually led to the derivatives, such as Gillet. As a family name, its usage became widespread across regions in France, particularly in Burgundy. Such names were often adopted when people shifted to a new locality or to distinguish individuals bearing the same first name. Hence, the surname Gillet could refer to being a 'descendant of Gilles' or 'the younger Gilles'.
Order DNA origin analysisGillet: Where does the name Gillet come from?
The surname Gillet originates from France. It is derived from the personal name Gilles, which is a French form of the Greek name Aegidius. The name was popular due to St. Giles, who was the hermit patron saint of cripples and beggars in the Middle Ages. As a surname, Gillet is a diminutive form meaning "little Giles." In addition to France, variants of this surname are found in England and Ireland due to cultural exchange and migration.
Despite its origins, the surname Gillet is not particularly common in France today. According to Forebears, it is most prevalent in the United States with the highest density in Maine. However, it's important to note that the spelling may vary widely, with alternate versions including Gillett, Gillette, and more. Additionally, the brand of men's safety razors, Gillette, has potentially increased the visibility and recognition of names similar to Gillet globally.
Variations of the surname Gillet
The surname Gillet is of French origin and is derived from the personal name Gilles, which comes from the Greek name Aegidius. There are numerous variations of this surname due to geographic and family differences, introducing an array of spellings and versions.
The most common variants include Gillett, Gillot, Gilot, Gilet, and Gillett. It is also found as Gilliot, Gilliott, Gillatt, Gillut, and Gilletts.
Still, others like Gille, Gilla, Giller, and Giglio are found in different regions of France and in countries where French speakers have migrated.
Surnames that have the same origin with Gillet are those derived from Aegidius, like Giles or Gyles in English, Gileski in Polish, Gilgen in German, Gilis in Dutch, or Giles, Egidio, Egidius in Italian and Spanish. These names all stem from the Greek name Aegidius and it translates to 'shield of goatskin' in English.
In France, double surnames are also common. Examples include Gillet-Gimon, Gillet-Valentin, or Gillet-Duval where the second part denotes a specific family line or place of origin.
In summary, while 'Gillet' is the standard French form, there are numerous direct and indirect variants which exhibit the diverse cultural and linguistic histories of this surname.
Famous people with the name Gillet
- George Gillett Jr.: An American entrepreneur who formerly owned the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team and the Liverpool Football Club.
- Andy Gillet: A French actor and model known for his roles in films like "Eternal Summer" and "The Last Mistress."
- Gary Gillet: An accomplished visual effects artist for movies, including "Avatar," and the "Footballman" series.
- Gordon Gillet: A renowned Belgian flutist who received the prestigious Soloist recognition from the Belgian Radio and TV.
- Nicolas Gillet: A retired French footballer who played as a central defender for clubs like Nantes and Le Havre.
- Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Empain (born Edouard Louis Joseph Gillet): A wealthy Belgian industrialist whose infamous kidnapping in 1978 made international headlines.
- Pierre Gillet: A professional footballer from Belgium who has had an extensive career with the Standard Liège club.
- Frans Gillet: A notable Belgian painter from the 19th century.
- Henri Gillet: A mathematician known for his work in algebraic K-theory and for the invention of the "Gillet-Soulé arithmetic Chow groups."
- Veerle Gillet: A Belgian actress known for her roles in "Dan maar niet gelukkig" and "Niet voor publikatie."