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Show ContentsGiles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Giles reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on the medieval given name Giles. This name is derived from the Greek aigidion, which means kid, or young goat.

Another source claims the family were originally Norman from "La Gile or Gueilles, Normandy as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Robert de Gueilles of Normandy 1198. 1

Early Origins of the Giles family

The surname Giles was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Gilo and Ghilo were both listed. 2 Shortly after Widofilius Gisel was listed in Lincolnshire as was Gisle, Egidius, Gilo, Gile in 1183-1187.

About this time, the first records of the name as a surname appeared: Ailward, Godfrey Gile in the Pipe Rolls for Berkshire and Northumberland 1176, 1191; William Gyles in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296; William Gilis in the Assize Rolls for Kent in 1317; and Nicholas Gisel in Suffolk in 1346. 3

"The Domesday Book Gilo has been identified with Old German Gilo, equivalent to Gislebertus, and this is supported by the forms Gisel, Gisle. The Latinization of this by Egidius shows that the scribe associated the name with Giles, a difficult name, regularly translated Egidius, from Greek ayíiov 'kid'. The name of the 7th-century Provengal hermit St Ægidius spread widely and survives as Gidi, Gidy in southern France, as Gili, Gilli in the Alpes-Maritimes, elsewhere as Gile, Gille. The popularity of this form in England is proved both by the number of churches dedicated to St Giles and by the frequent medieval Egidius." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Egidius, or Gilius Gowsell, Lincolnshire; Jordan filius Egidii, Lincolnshire; and Osbert filius Egidii, Lincolnshire. 4

Further to the north in Scotland, the first record was of William Gilis who gave his land of Mosplat to the church of Lanark c. 1214. But we must wait over three hundred years to find the next references: Robert Geliss was chaplain in 1527, and Jhone Gelis was one of an inquest on lands of Gowane (Govan) in the same year. 5

"Dean Prior, [Devon] was purchased at the Dissolution from Henry VIII. by William Giles of Bowden, near Totnes, and in the mansion which the Gileses built there long resided Sir Edward Giles, born at Totnes about 1580, one of Prince's ' Worthies,' and a prominent Devonian throughout a long career. A soldier in the Low Countries, under Elizabeth ; a courtier, knighted by James I. at his coronation ; constantly chosen one of the representatives of Totnes during the reigns of James and Charles he proved himself not only a statesman, but a patriot, by remonstrating against ship-money in 1634. The epitaph on Sir Edward Giles and his wife, placed beneath their handsome monument in Dean Prior Church, was written by Robert Herrick, who was for many years Vicar of Dean." 6

Early History of the Giles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Giles research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1296, 1317, 1346, 1564, 1567, 1571, 1576, 1615, 1621, 1634, 1640, 1644, 1652, 1680, 1681, 1709, 1741 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Giles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Giles Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Giles has been recorded under many different variations, including Giles, Gyles, Jiles and others.

Early Notables of the Giles family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Mascal Gyles (died 1652), was an English vicar of Ditchling, Sussex, from 1621 to 1644; and Henry Gyles or Giles (1640?-1709), was an English glass painter based in York. He was fifth child of E[dmund...
  • Nathaniel Giles (d. 1634), was an English composer, born in or near Worcester about the middle of the sixteenth century, and was a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, from 1567 to 1571. 7

Giles World Ranking

In the United States, the name Giles is the 729th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Giles is ranked the 994th most popular surname with an estimated 5,456 people with that name. 9 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Giles is the 668th popular surname with an estimated 66 people with that name. 10 Australia ranks Giles as 350th with 10,295 people. 11 New Zealand ranks Giles as 368th with 1,734 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Giles as 406th with 16,046 people. 13

Ireland Migration of the Giles family to Ireland

Some of the Giles family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Giles migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Giless were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Giles Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jonathan Giles, aged 21, who arrived in Virginia in 1619 aboard the ship "Tryall/Triall" 14
  • Jonathin Giles, who landed in Virginia in 1623 14
  • Margrett Giles, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 14
  • Hen Giles, who landed in Virginia in 1634 14
  • Edward Giles who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1634
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Giles Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Job Giles, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 14
  • Robert Giles, who landed in Virginia in 1704 14
  • Ellis Giles, who arrived in Virginia in 1707 14
  • Win Giles, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 14
  • William Giles, who settled in Maryland in 1719
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Giles Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Giles, who arrived in America in 1805 14
  • William Giles, who landed in America in 1820 14
  • Alexander Giles, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1830 14
  • John Giles, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 14
  • Thomas W Giles, who landed in Boston, Maas in 1840 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Giles migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Giles Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • William Giles, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • William Giles, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Jona Giles, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Nathan Giles, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
  • Edward Giles, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Giles Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Giles, who settled in Torbay, Newfoundland in 1801 15
  • William Giles, who arrived in Canada in 1830
  • Mary Giles, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Charlotte" from Cork, Ireland
  • Nancy Giles, aged 36, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Charlotte" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mr. Enoch Giles, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Rosalinda" departing 22nd June 1847 from Belfast, Ireland; the ship arrived on 7th August 1847 but he died on board 16

Australia Giles migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Giles Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Giles, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. William Giles, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
  • Mr. William Giles(b. 1775), aged 45, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 9th August 1819, sentenced for 7 years for stealing cordage, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Orange" in October 1820 to Australia 19
  • Mr. William Giles, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 20
  • Mr. Richard Giles, (b. 1804), aged 22, British Convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Giles migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Giles Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Henry Giles, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • John Giles, aged 27, a farm labourer, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Olympus" in 1841
  • Mr. John Giles, (b. 1813), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Olympus" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 20th April 1841 22
  • Miss Ada Augusta Oriental Giles, (b. 1856), aged Infant, British settler born aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th February 1856 22
  • Mr. Launcelot Giles, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th February 1856 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Giles migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Giles Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Susan Giles, who settled in Barbados in 1660
  • William Giles, aged 28, who landed in Barbados in 1683 14

Contemporary Notables of the name Giles (post 1700) +

  • Robert Hartmann Giles (1933-2023), American newspaper editor and publisher who was the curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University
  • Major-General Benjamin Franklin Giles (1892-1974), American Commanding General of the U.S. Army Forces Africa-Middle East Theater (1945-1946) 24
  • Lieutenant-General Barney McKinney Giles (1892-1984), American Commanding General of the U.S. Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (1945-1946) 25
  • Marcus William Giles (b. 1978), American Major League Baseball player
  • William Branch Giles (1762-1830), American statesman, and politician, governor of Virginia (1827-1830)
  • John Allen Giles (1808-1884), English editor and translator, son of William Giles, born on 26 Oct. 1808 at Southwick House, in the parish of Mark, Somerset, the residence of his father and grandfather
  • Michael Rex Giles (b. 1942), English drummer, best known as a co-founder of King Crimson (1969)
  • William "Ernest" Powell Giles (1835-1897), English-born, Australian explorer who led three major expeditions in central Australia
  • Ashley Giles (b. 1973), English cricketer
  • Annabel Claire Giles (1959-2023), British television and radio presenter
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. William Giles (1890-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
HMS Royal Oak
  • William Henry Giles (1917-1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. John Robert Giles (d. 1912), aged 30, English Baker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. Edgar Giles (d. 1912), aged 21, English Second Class passenger from Porthleven, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. Frederick Edward Giles (d. 1912), aged 20, English Second Class passenger from Porthleven, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 28
  • Mr. Ralph Giles (d. 1912), aged 25, English Second Class passenger from London, England who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 28

The Giles Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pensez a moi
Motto Translation: Think of me.
  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  7. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  10. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  11. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  12. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  13. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  16. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 77)
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  19. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 5) Benjamin Giles. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Giles/Benjamin_Franklin/USA.html
  25. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 5) Barney Giles. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Giles/Barney_McKinney/USA.html
  26. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  27. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  28. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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