NameCensus.

UK surname

Gadd

An English occupational surname for a cattle driver or one who uses a goad to herd animals.

In the 1881 census there were 1,996 people recorded with the Gadd surname, ranking it #2,207 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,573, ranked #2,573, down from #2,207 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rowley Regis, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gadd is 2,762 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 28.9%.

1881 census count

1,996

Ranked #2,207

Modern count

2,573

2016, ranked #2,573

Peak year

1911

2,762 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gadd had 1,996 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,207 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,573 in 2016, ranked #2,573.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,762 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Gadd surname distribution map

The map shows where the Gadd surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Gadd surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gadd over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1,165 #2,422
1861 historical 1,298 #2,199
1881 historical 1,996 #2,207
1891 historical 2,121 #2,198
1901 historical 2,497 #2,189
1911 historical 2,762 #1,879
1997 modern 2,626 #2,425
1998 modern 2,716 #2,442
1999 modern 2,737 #2,442
2000 modern 2,677 #2,474
2001 modern 2,610 #2,477
2002 modern 2,601 #2,533
2003 modern 2,545 #2,528
2004 modern 2,571 #2,505
2005 modern 2,520 #2,526
2006 modern 2,501 #2,545
2007 modern 2,522 #2,546
2008 modern 2,549 #2,538
2009 modern 2,579 #2,574
2010 modern 2,675 #2,545
2011 modern 2,667 #2,518
2012 modern 2,624 #2,514
2013 modern 2,622 #2,560
2014 modern 2,634 #2,557
2015 modern 2,603 #2,559
2016 modern 2,573 #2,573

Geography

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Where Gadds are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rowley Regis, London parishes, Manchester and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cardiff, Babergh and Barnsley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Rowley Regis Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 010 Caerphilly
2 Rhondda Cynon Taf 015 Rhondda Cynon Taf
3 Cardiff 027 Cardiff
4 Babergh 011 Babergh
5 Barnsley 014 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gadd

These lists show first names that appear often with the Gadd surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gadd

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gadd, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Gadd surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gadd household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gadd is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gadd is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gadd falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gadd is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Gadd, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gadd

The surname Gadd is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gad," meaning a goad or metal-tipped stick used for driving cattle or oxen. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname for someone who worked as a herder or drover.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Gadd can be found in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. One notable mention appears in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273, where a certain William Gad is listed. Another early reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which includes the name John Gadde.

During the 14th century, the name appears to have spread across various regions of England, with variations in spelling such as Gad, Gadde, and Gadd emerging. Some examples include Thomas Gad, recorded in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, and John Gadde, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1384.

As for place names associated with the surname, there are several localities in England that may have contributed to its development or adoption. For instance, the village of Gadd in Hertfordshire, as well as Gaddesby in Leicestershire, could have served as sources for the name.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Gadd throughout history include:

1. Thomas Gadd (c. 1570-1638), an English clergyman and author, known for his works on theology and philosophy. 2. John Gadd (1590-1657), an English MP who served as a member of Parliament for Midhurst in the 17th century. 3. Phineas Gadd (1649-1718), a prominent English clockmaker and inventor, credited with several innovations in clock design. 4. Sir Archibald Gadd (1801-1876), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a rear admiral. 5. Henry Gadd (1839-1919), a British architect and surveyor, known for his work on several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

The Gadd surname has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, politicians, inventors, military officers, and architects, among others. Its origins can be traced back to the occupational ties of medieval England, where it may have initially been associated with those who worked as herders or drovers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gadd families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gadd surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 335 Gadds recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.53x.

County Total Index
Surrey 335 3.53x
Middlesex 277 1.42x
Lancashire 192 0.83x
Somerset 191 6.10x
Sussex 150 4.57x
Staffordshire 148 2.25x
Leicestershire 82 3.80x
Nottinghamshire 68 2.59x
Worcestershire 63 2.48x
Gloucestershire 60 1.57x
Lincolnshire 59 1.90x
Warwickshire 45 0.92x
Kent 44 0.66x
Cheshire 37 0.86x
Hampshire 37 0.93x
Monmouthshire 33 2.35x
Yorkshire 31 0.16x
Shropshire 28 1.67x
Essex 23 0.60x
Berkshire 15 1.03x
Cambridgeshire 15 1.22x
Devon 13 0.32x
Derbyshire 9 0.30x
Glamorgan 9 0.27x
Wiltshire 9 0.52x
Northamptonshire 7 0.38x
Herefordshire 5 0.63x
Oxfordshire 3 0.25x
Brecknockshire 2 0.51x
Hertfordshire 2 0.15x
Dorset 1 0.08x
Flintshire 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 0.43x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 52 Gadds recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.06x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 52 3.06x
Rowley Regis 49 26.77x
Kingston On Thames 44 19.32x
Fulham London 43 15.24x
Leicester St Margaret 33 6.27x
St Marylebone London 33 3.18x
West Bromwich 32 8.51x
Aston 29 2.15x
Bethnal Green London 25 2.96x
Nottingham St Mary 25 3.68x
Epsom 24 51.94x
Hulme 23 4.77x
Loughborough 22 22.47x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 22 87.20x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 19 5.29x
Leatherhead 19 80.00x
Upperswinford 19 88.37x
Battersea 18 2.51x
Liverpool 18 1.28x
Camberwell 17 1.37x
Manchester 16 1.54x
Northiam 16 198.76x
Sedgley 16 6.56x
Birmingham 15 0.92x
Bow London 15 6.05x
Monks Coppenhall 15 9.25x
Rotherhithe 15 6.24x
Toxteth Park 15 1.92x
Bedminster 14 4.76x
Clatworthy 14 933.33x
Cobham 14 89.97x
Withington 14 18.82x
Hove 13 9.03x
Mansfield 13 14.32x
Portsea 13 1.66x
Shadwell London 13 23.87x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 1.87x
Stretford 13 10.23x
Wolverhampton 13 2.57x
Aylesford 12 65.22x
St Pancras London 12 0.77x
Sutton Bonnington 12 179.10x
Wem 12 47.98x
Didsbury 11 35.88x
Dundry 11 292.55x
Effingham 11 282.05x
Great Malvern 11 20.74x
Henllys 11 491.07x
Mynyddyslwyn 11 19.82x
Taunton St James 11 24.08x
Ticehurst 11 54.78x
Wednesbury 11 6.70x
Westminster St John 11 4.64x
Bristol St James St Paul 10 7.86x
Kensington London 10 0.92x
Mountsorrel South End 10 324.68x
Reigate Foreign 10 9.74x
Shoreditch London 10 1.19x
Wadhurst 10 46.43x
West Horndon 10 1960.78x
Ashford 9 13.92x
Bermondsey 9 1.55x
Etchingham 9 148.27x
Isleworth 9 10.40x
South Stoneham 9 10.40x
Southcoates 9 8.41x
Yeovil 9 14.14x
Amber Hill 8 305.34x
Dallington 8 225.99x
Hampton Wick London 8 56.10x
Hutton 8 349.35x
Mile End Old Town London 8 1.93x
North Petherton 8 31.66x
Pendleton In Salford 8 2.91x
Salford 8 1.18x
St George In East London 8 4.37x
Worcester St Helen 8 98.40x
Hackney London 7 0.64x
Navenby 7 109.72x
Taunton St Mary 7 12.17x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gadd surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 148
Elizabeth 84
Sarah 69
Eliza 50
Ann 45
Emily 34
Alice 26
Jane 26
Emma 24
Maria 24
Annie 23
Ellen 19
Harriet 18
Louisa 18
Harriett 17
Ada 16
Caroline 15
Charlotte 15
Fanny 15
Florence 14
Martha 14
Clara 11
Phoebe 11
Hannah 10
Anne 9
Edith 9
Kate 9
Lucy 9
Catherine 8
Frances 8
Sophia 7
Amelia 6
Agnes 5
Esther 5
Julia 5
Margaret 5
Matilda 5
Maud 5
Rebecca 5
Ruth 5
Susannah 5
Amy 4
Elizth. 4
Henrietta 4
Jessie 4
Laura 4
Minnie 4
Rose 4
Lydia 3
Mabel 3

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gadd surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 126
John 104
George 93
James 69
Thomas 59
Henry 50
Charles 48
Alfred 31
Joseph 31
Samuel 25
Edward 22
Arthur 21
Walter 20
Frederick 18
Robert 18
Richard 17
Albert 13
Benjamin 11
Harry 10
Frank 9
Herbert 9
David 5
Edwin 4
Jonathan 4
Stephen 4
Abraham 3
Bertram 3
Fred 3
Horace 3
Jesse 3
Job 3
Matthew 3
Philip 3
Willie 3
Amos 2
Archibald 2
Dick 2
Eber 2
Edwd. 2
Eli 2
Ephraim 2
Ernest 2
Fredrick 2
Jno. 2
Joshua 2
Levi 2
Moses 2
Sidney 2
Swift 2
Wm. 2

FAQ

Gadd surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gadd surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,996 people were recorded with the Gadd surname. That placed it at #2,207 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gadd surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,573 in 2016. That gives Gadd a modern rank of #2,573.

What does the Gadd surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a cattle driver or one who uses a goad to herd animals.

What does the Gadd map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gadd bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.