NameCensus.

UK surname

Gala

A surname derived from the Spanish word "gala," meaning celebration or festivity.

In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Gala surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 151, ranked #23,615, up from #32,081 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Thurrock, Leicester and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gala is 151 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1272.7%.

1881 census count

11

Ranked #32,081

Modern count

151

2016, ranked #23,615

Peak year

2016

151 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gala had 11 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,081 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016, ranked #23,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gala surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gala surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Gala 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 11 #32,081
1891 historical 4 #34,098
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 13 #36,672
1998 modern 14 #36,565
1999 modern 18 #36,151
2000 modern 16 #36,316
2001 modern 18 #35,961
2002 modern 29 #35,030
2003 modern 28 #35,200
2004 modern 36 #34,717
2005 modern 49 #33,859
2006 modern 68 #32,441
2007 modern 77 #31,856
2008 modern 97 #29,527
2009 modern 110 #27,991
2010 modern 108 #28,996
2011 modern 111 #28,294
2012 modern 137 #24,731
2013 modern 137 #25,149
2014 modern 139 #25,093
2015 modern 144 #24,369
2016 modern 151 #23,615

Geography

Back to top

Where Galas 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 Thurrock, Leicester, Peterborough, Slough and Havering. 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 Thurrock 017 Thurrock
2 Leicester 010 Leicester
3 Peterborough 014 Peterborough
4 Slough 003 Slough
5 Havering 013 Havering

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Gala

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Gala

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Gala surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Gala household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gala is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gala 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

Gala falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gala is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Gala

The surname Gala originated in Spain during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Spanish word "gala," which means "celebration" or "festivity." The name may have been given to someone who lived near or worked at a place where celebrations or festivities took place, such as a fairground or a theater.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Gala can be found in historical documents from the 13th century in the regions of Catalonia and Aragon. The spelling variations at the time included Galla, Galla, and Gala. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Joan Gala, a merchant from Barcelona who was mentioned in a trade record from 1287.

In the 14th century, the surname Gala appeared in the village of Gala, located in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia. This place name was likely derived from the Latin word "gallus," meaning "rooster," which may have been a reference to the local economy or a distinctive feature of the area.

The Gala surname gained prominence in the 15th century when it was associated with the Spanish nobleman Pedro Gala (1425-1491), who served as a military commander under King Ferdinand II of Aragon. His descendants continued to hold influential positions in the Spanish court and military throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.

Another notable bearer of the Gala surname was the Spanish artist Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), whose full name was Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquis of Pubol. Although his surname is often spelled differently, it is believed to have originated from the same root as Gala.

Other historical figures with the surname Gala include:

1. Antonio Gala (1936-2022), a Spanish novelist and playwright. 2. Remedios Gala (1923-1963), a Spanish actress and singer. 3. Juan Gala (1675-1748), a Spanish Baroque painter. 4. Emilio Gala (1890-1954), a Mexican actor and filmmaker. 5. Roberta Gala (born 1963), an Italian journalist and author.

The Gala surname has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange, but its origins can be traced back to the rich history and traditions of medieval Spain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Gala families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gala 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. Devon leads with 7 Galas recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.36x.

County Total Index
Devon 7 31.36x
Bedfordshire 3 54.05x
Middlesex 1 0.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Marystow in Devon leads with 7 Galas recorded in 1881 and an index of 70000.00x.

Place Total Index
Marystow 7 70000.00x
Biggleswade 3 1666.67x
Hampstead London 1 59.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 2
Annie 1
Ellen 1
Maria 1
Martha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 2
Fredk. 1
John 1
Jonah 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 Gala households.

FAQ

Gala surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gala surname in 1881?

In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Gala surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gala surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016. That gives Gala a modern rank of #23,615.

What does the Gala surname mean?

A surname derived from the Spanish word "gala," meaning celebration or festivity.

What does the Gala map show?

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