Akademik

Gilbert m

English, French, Flemish, and Dutch: of Germanic origin, introduced to Britain by the Normans. It is composed of the elements gisil pledge + berht bright, famous. This was the name of the founder of the only native British religious order (abolished at the Dissolution of the Monasteries), St Gilbert of Sempringham (?1083–1189), in whose honour it is still sometimes bestowed, especially among Roman Catholics. It gained a wider currency in the 19th century. In Gaelic Scotland the name was used from an early period to render the name Gille Brighde ‘servant of St BRIDGET (SEE Bridget)’, gradually assuming the form Gilleabart.

Pet forms: Scottish: Gibby (Gaelic Gibidh).