Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Gildested(e) 12 Ch 1311 13 RH 1276

• Gildestedis 1268 Baild

• Gilsted 1156–81 YChvi 1370 FF

• Gilstead(e), Gylstead(e) 1554 FF 1575 WillY 1597 FF

Etymology

Gilstead, Gildested (e )12 (1311) Ch, 13Drax 44, Font (p), Skyr, 1276 RH, Gildestedis 1268 Baild, Gilsted 1156–81 YCh vi, 1370 FF, Gilstead (e ), Gylstead (e )1554 FF, 1575 WillY, 1597 FF. 'Site of the guild', probably of the guild-house, v. gildi , stede . The guild was not necessarily a trade-guild, but could be any association of people for their mutual benefit.