Gil

This name derives from the British, Norman-French, which in turn derives from the Old High German name “Gisilberht,” composed of two elements: “*gīslaz” (pledge, hostage) plus “*berhtaz” (light, bright, clear, shining one). In turn, the name means “bright pledge.” Saint Gilbert, the founder of the Gilbertine Order, was the only Englishman to found a conventual order, mainly because the Abbot of Cîteaux declined his request to assist him in organizing a group of women who wanted to live like nuns, living with lay brothers and sisters, in 1148. In the end, he founded a double monastery of canons regular and nuns.