A female name. (French Cécile, German Cäcilie); Latin Caecilia, f. of Caecilius (See Cecil). St Cecilia, martyred c. 177, was a Roman and presumably belonged to this family. She is mentioned in the Canon of Mass and was later regarded as the patroness of music, and her name became a favourite one in the Western Church. It was introduced into England at the Norman Conquest (the Conqueror had a d. of the name, Abbess of Caen), and soon became a favourite. The usual English form of the name was Cicely or Sisley. Lyford 1655 gives Sisley as an equivalent of Cicely. It was also sometimes abbreviated to Cecil (e.g. Cecil Matthews who 1709 m. the 1st Lord Talbot, and whose name has continued in use amongst her descendants). Celia is also sometimes an abbreviation of Cecilia, and Sela, Sely occur in 1221. The Latin Cecilia was adopted in the late 18th C, probably in part on account of Mme D'Arblay’s novel of that name (1782). Sis, Ciss were the diminutives of the name in the days of its general popularity (cf. Corbet’s ‘When Tom came home from labour, or Cis to milking rose’). See also Sheila.

Cecilia Curia Regis Rolls 1197-1219, Hundred Rolls 1273, Feudal Aids 1428. Cecille Hundred Rolls 1273. Cecelya Feudal Aids 1303. Cecillia Feudal Aids 1346. Cecilie English Register of Godstow Nunnery, c. 1450 (E.E.T.S. 129-30) 1450. Cycalye, Cycly, Sycily Yorks Rec 1604. Siscella 1656.

(For etymology, see Cecil.) The name owed its popularity much less to its notable connexions with Roman history than to the fame of the virgin martyr, St. Cæcilia (died ca. 176). A patrician, she converted to Christianity her betrothed husband and his brother; they too gave their lives that Christ might live in men’s hearts. As a Christian, she was suffocated with the steam of a bath in her own house. (Benedictines.)—Also, she is noted as the patron saint of music: a choice determined by the fact that, in her martyrdom, she sang till she expired. An organ became her distinguishing mark, and thus she was credited with its invention. To her patronage of music (see especially Dryden’s magnificent ode) was added that of poetry; she is therefore to be compared with Barbara, patron saint of art and architecture, and with Katharine, of literature and eloquence. (Yonge.) Whence Cecilie.

A baptismal name derived from Cæcilia, a feminine of Cæcilius (see Cecil). The nickname is Cis.

Latin (feminine) - Grey-eyed.