Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Giles 1189 Lowth

• le Gilles 1291 ib

• le Gillis 1444 ib

• Gills 1865 OS

• Guil(l)se 1583 PR 1618,1649 FF

• Gillses 1660 PR

• Gilse 1595–1782 PR 1624,1629 FF 1701 Dep

• (the) Gilce 1606–1612 PR 1657 FF

• Gilts 1634 NB

• Giltze 1790 PR

• Giltse 1791 ib

Etymology

Originally this would have appeared to be the Gills 'the ravines' (v. gil ) and to have referred to the usable land below the exposed limestone between Crosby Gill and Ravens Gill or to Ravens Gill itself. But the later forms seem to indicate a manorial name Gillses , etc., from the surname Gills ; this would account for the adaptations to Gilce , Gilts , which have been influenced by NCy dial. gilt , gilse 'young sow'.