NameCensus.

UK surname

Gaitens

A variant spelling of the English surname Gaitens or Gayton, denoting someone from the town of that name.

In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Gaitens surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 123, ranked #27,115, up from #30,077 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Garrowhill West, Shawfield and Clincarthill and Banknock, Haggs and Longcroft.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gaitens is 124 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 392.0%.

1881 census count

25

Ranked #30,077

Modern count

123

2016, ranked #27,115

Peak year

2012

124 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gaitens had 25 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,077 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016, ranked #27,115.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 77 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Gaitens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gaitens surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gaitens 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 20 #31,364
1881 historical 25 #30,077
1891 historical 32 #31,754
1901 historical 77 #25,627
1997 modern 116 #24,688
1998 modern 114 #25,589
1999 modern 113 #25,913
2000 modern 111 #26,111
2001 modern 117 #24,974
2002 modern 117 #25,494
2003 modern 111 #26,091
2004 modern 110 #26,451
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 108 #27,015
2007 modern 110 #27,087
2008 modern 109 #27,533
2009 modern 118 #26,766
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 121 #26,789
2012 modern 124 #26,432
2013 modern 124 #26,842
2014 modern 123 #27,206
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 123 #27,115

Geography

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Where Gaitens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Garrowhill West, Shawfield and Clincarthill, Banknock, Haggs and Longcroft, Southend-on-Sea and Reading. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Garrowhill West Glasgow City
2 Shawfield and Clincarthill South Lanarkshire
3 Banknock, Haggs and Longcroft Falkirk
4 Southend-on-Sea 001 Southend-on-Sea
5 Reading 018 Reading

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gaitens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gaitens

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Gaitens surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Gaitens household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gaitens 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

Gaitens 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

Gaitens falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gaitens is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gaitens

The surname Gaitens is believed to have originated in the British Isles, specifically in the region of Northern England and Scotland during the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from an Old English or Old Norse word meaning "goat herder" or "goatherd," reflecting the occupational origins of many surnames from that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Chartulary of Lindores Abbey, a medieval cartulary from the late 12th century, which mentions a "Thomas Gaitens" as a witness to a land transaction. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century in Scotland.

Another early reference appears in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1284, where a "Willelmus Gaytins" is listed, indicating the presence of the name in Northern England during the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the surname appears in various spellings, such as "Gaytyn" and "Gaytyngs," in records from counties like Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. This variation in spelling was common during that period before standardized orthography became more widespread.

One notable figure with the surname Gaitens was John Gaitens, a Scottish merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. He is recorded as having owned substantial properties in the town of Dysart, Fife, and was involved in local government affairs.

Another individual of note was Robert Gaitens, a 17th-century clergyman and author from England. He published several religious works, including a treatise titled "The Heavenly Manna" in 1653.

In the 18th century, a certain William Gaitens gained recognition as a skilled clockmaker and watchmaker in London. His timepieces were highly regarded for their craftsmanship and accuracy.

Moving into the 19th century, one finds mention of a John Gaitens, born in 1812, who was a prominent figure in the shipbuilding industry in Glasgow, Scotland. He owned and operated a successful shipyard on the River Clyde.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Margaret Gaitens, a Scottish artist and painter who lived from 1868 to 1944. She was known for her landscapes and portraits, and her works were exhibited at various galleries throughout Scotland and England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gaitens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gaitens 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. Renfrewshire leads with 11 Gaitens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.26x.

County Total Index
Renfrewshire 11 58.26x
Dunbartonshire 8 122.14x
Angus 5 22.15x
Lanarkshire 1 1.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Middle Greenock in Renfrewshire leads with 9 Gaitens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1730.77x.

Place Total Index
Middle Greenock 9 1730.77x
Dumbarton 7 769.23x
Forfar 5 409.84x
Eastwood 2 172.41x
Govan 1 5.13x
Old Kilpatrick 1 129.87x

FAQ

Gaitens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gaitens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Gaitens surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gaitens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 123 in 2016. That gives Gaitens a modern rank of #27,115.

What does the Gaitens surname mean?

A variant spelling of the English surname Gaitens or Gayton, denoting someone from the town of that name.

What does the Gaitens map show?

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