Etymology Map
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Gillie

2 stages from Scottish Gaelic to English.

Today it means an attendant on a hunting or fishing trip in Scotland or Ireland

Where does the word "gillie" come from? It comes from Scottish Gaelic gille, adopted directly into English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
gille
Scottish Gaelic · medieval
"lad, servant"
'lad, servant'; it survives in surnames like Gilchrist, 'servant of Christ', and Gillespie, 'servant of the bishop'
2
Stage 2 of 2
gillie
English · 1590s
"sporting attendant"
a Highland hunting or fishing attendant; Queen Victoria's confidant John Brown began as a gillie at Balmoral
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Gillie’s story begins in Scottish Gaelic: gille meant “lad, servant.” 'lad, servant'; it survives in surnames like Gilchrist, 'servant of Christ', and Gillespie, 'servant of the bishop'. It reached English by 1590s as gillie. A Highland hunting or fishing attendant; Queen Victoria's confidant John Brown began as a gillie at Balmoral. Today, gillie means an attendant on a hunting or fishing trip in Scotland or Ireland.