Details for the forename Archibald

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Archibald (male)


Variants:	Archbell (M) Archbold (M) Gilleasbaig (M) Gilleasbuig (M)
Diminutive(s):	Arch (M) Archd (M)
Pet Name(s):	Archie (M) Archy (M) Baldie (M) Baldy (M) Beisdean (M) Eairdsidh (M) Eairrsidh (M)
Derivative(s):	Celestine (F) Celestine (M)
Lesser Synonym(s):	Gillespie (M)
Can be spelt:	Archabald (M) Archbald (M) Archebald (M)
Feminine form:	Archibald (F)

Source(s):	The Oxford Names Companion, OUP "Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG Private communication [GB]
Notes:	Normally Scottish but also English, of Norman origin from Old German "bright gold" [Whyte] or "real bravery" [ONC]. Note that in Scotland it can also be a female name. Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Gilleasbuig/Gilleasbaig, "bishop's servant", as is Gillespie which is therefore classified here as a lesser synonym. A correspondent [GB] has noted a memorial inscription in Ellon, Aberdeenshire with the spelling Archebald.