NameCensus.

UK surname

Gaden

A surname potentially referring to a village or place name in Germany.

In the 1881 census there were 62 people recorded with the Gaden surname, ranking it #24,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 150, ranked #23,724, up from #24,843 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Swell, Lower, Longborough with Bankfee and Wednesbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Cotswold and Cheshire East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gaden is 168 in 2009. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 141.9%.

1881 census count

62

Ranked #24,843

Modern count

150

2016, ranked #23,724

Peak year

2009

168 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gaden had 62 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,843 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016, ranked #23,724.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 101 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gaden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gaden surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gaden 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 28 #28,274
1861 historical 64 #25,747
1881 historical 62 #24,843
1891 historical 70 #28,073
1901 historical 72 #26,162
1911 historical 101 #22,589
1997 modern 136 #22,398
1998 modern 139 #22,720
1999 modern 141 #22,702
2000 modern 141 #22,648
2001 modern 140 #22,441
2002 modern 137 #23,198
2003 modern 136 #23,045
2004 modern 142 #22,573
2005 modern 138 #22,999
2006 modern 146 #22,320
2007 modern 152 #22,022
2008 modern 156 #21,862
2009 modern 168 #21,290
2010 modern 162 #22,292
2011 modern 161 #22,187
2012 modern 155 #22,762
2013 modern 154 #23,210
2014 modern 153 #23,537
2015 modern 150 #23,718
2016 modern 150 #23,724

Geography

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Where Gadens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Swell, Lower, Longborough with Bankfee, Wednesbury, Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) and Bourton-on-the-Hill. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Cotswold, Cheshire East and West Devon. 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 Swell, Lower Gloucestershire
2 Longborough with Bankfee Gloucestershire
3 Wednesbury Staffordshire
4 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire
5 Bourton-on-the-Hill Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 019 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Cotswold 002 Cotswold
3 East Riding of Yorkshire 017 East Riding of Yorkshire
4 Cheshire East 051 Cheshire East
5 West Devon 004 West Devon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gaden

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gaden

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gaden, 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

Rural Amenity

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Gaden is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gaden is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gaden falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gaden 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 Gaden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gaden

The surname GADEN is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word "gad," meaning "goad" or "spike." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who worked with sharp implements, potentially a farmer or a craftsman.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gadan." This historical record provides valuable insight into the distribution of surnames in England during the 11th century.

In the 13th century, the name GADEN appeared in various forms, such as "Gadyn" and "Gaddene," reflecting the variations in spelling common during that era. The surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, where it is thought to have originated.

Notable individuals bearing the GADEN surname include John Gaden, a 16th-century English composer and organist who served at the Collegiate Church of St Mary's in Warwick. Another prominent figure was Sir John Gaden (1570-1638), a lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Taunton during the reign of King James I.

In the 17th century, the name was found in various parts of England, including the counties of Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall. One notable bearer was Thomas Gaden (1616-1671), an English clergyman who served as the Dean of Worcester Cathedral.

The 18th century saw the emergence of several notable individuals with the GADEN surname. Among them was Joseph Gaden (1718-1792), an English painter and engraver known for his landscapes and portraits. Additionally, John Gaden (1744-1806) was an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of St John's College, Cambridge.

As the centuries progressed, the GADEN surname continued to be found across various regions of England, with some bearers venturing further afield. One such individual was Sir Ralph Gaden (1857-1932), a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor of British Guiana (now Guyana) from 1907 to 1912.

Overall, the surname GADEN has a rich history that spans several centuries and encompasses individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, all united by their shared surname and its enduring legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gaden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gaden 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. Staffordshire leads with 20 Gadens recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.80x.

County Total Index
Staffordshire 20 9.80x
Gloucestershire 18 15.18x
Worcestershire 9 11.40x
Sussex 8 7.85x
Devon 3 2.38x
Dorset 1 2.52x
Leicestershire 1 1.49x
Somerset 1 1.03x
Surrey 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wednesbury in Staffordshire leads with 14 Gadens recorded in 1881 and an index of 274.51x.

Place Total Index
Wednesbury 14 274.51x
Lower Swell 9 11250.00x
Tredington 8 3636.36x
Friston 7 35000.00x
Donnington 6 20000.00x
Kingswinford 6 80.97x
Stokeinteignhead 3 2142.86x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 50.63x
Cow Honeybourne 1 1250.00x
Horsham 1 50.51x
Leicester St Margaret 1 6.12x
Longfleet 1 217.39x
Putney 1 36.23x
Shipston On Stour 1 277.78x
Wellington 1 75.76x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Ann 2
Annie 2
Edith 2
Sarah 2
Arabella 1
Carolen 1
Christana 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Emman 1
Frances 1
Isabella 1
Joyce 1
Kate 1
Lea 1
Leonore 1
Maud 1
Mirion 1
Rachel 1
Susan 1
Ursula 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
Alfred 3
George 3
John 3
Thomas 3
Henry 2
Jonathan 2
Albert 1
Amos 1
David 1
Edward 1
Freeman 1
Harry 1
Jesse 1
Joel 1
Melvin 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Timothy 1
Willim.J. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Gaden households.

FAQ

Gaden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gaden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 62 people were recorded with the Gaden surname. That placed it at #24,843 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gaden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 150 in 2016. That gives Gaden a modern rank of #23,724.

What does the Gaden surname mean?

A surname potentially referring to a village or place name in Germany.

What does the Gaden map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gaden 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.