Jilet History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Jilet name is derived from a diminution of the medieval given name Giles. That name is derived from the Greek aigidion, which means kid, or young goat. 1 "In England there are numerous families who write their name Gillett and Gillot, all of French extraction." 2 "Oxfordshire is now the principal home of the Gilletts, but the name is also found in Kent. In Lincolnshire the name is represented by Gilliart, Gilliatt, and Gillyatt." 3 "The family may have come with William the Conqueror into England, from Gillette, a town in Piedmont, France. Gillette, the son of Giles." 4 Early Origins of the Jilet familyThe surname Jilet was first found in Oxfordshire, but also many other shires throughout ancient Britain. Listed as both a forename and surname in many early rolls, the name quickly spread. This tradition continued even until the 14th century where the Yorkshire Polls Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Thomas Taylour et Gillot uxor ejus; Robertus Lyster et Gillot' uxor ejus; Gillote Fox; Johannes Gilotson; Willelmus Gilliote; Johannes Undyrhyll et Gyllot' uxor ejus; Willelmus Gehot; and Johannes Gylyott. 5 Early History of the Jilet familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jilet research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jilet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Jilet Spelling VariationsA multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Gillette, Gilliott, Gillet, Gillott, Gillett and others. Early Notables of the Jilet familyMore information is included under the topic Early Jilet Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Jilet familyMany English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Jilet or a variant listed above: Jonathan and Nathan Gillett sailed in the " John and Mary" and settled in Dorchester in 1635 where they became Freemen. Joseph Gillott arrived in New York State in 1830..
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