This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Gils family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Gils Family History

Gils Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Gill, Giles, Hils, Gips, Gil, Dils, Gills, Fils, Gies, Gilb

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Gils family from?

You can see how Gils families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Gils family name was found in the USA, Canada, and Scotland between 1851 and 1920. The most Gils families were found in USA in 1880. In 1851 there was 1 Gils family living in Perthshire. This was about 50% of all the recorded Gils's in Scotland. Perthshire and 1 other county had the highest population of Gils families in 1851.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Gils surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
  • 1851
  • 1871
  • 1881
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Gils ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Maid were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Gils. 45% of Gils men worked as a Farmer and 34% of Gils women worked as a Maid. Some less common occupations for Americans named Gils were Salesman and Housewife.

View Census Data for Gils | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    45%
  • Labor
    34%
  • Salesman
    23%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Maid
    34%
  • Teacher
    34%
  • Housewife
    34%

What Gils family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Gils. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Gils census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Gils

Passenger Lists

There are 840 immigration records available for the last name Gils. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Gils immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 311 military records available for the last name Gils. For the veterans among your Gils ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Gils military records

You've only scratched the surface of Gils family history

Discover More

What is the average Gils lifespan?

Between 1965 and 1990, in the United States, Gils life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1976, and highest in 1980. The average life expectancy for Gils in 1965 was 74, and 81 in 1990.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Gils

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Gils ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Gils family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial