NameCensus.

UK surname

Gallop

An English surname derived from the word "gallop" and likely referred to a messenger, courier, or someone with fleet feet.

In the 1881 census there were 952 people recorded with the Gallop surname, ranking it #4,064 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,025, ranked #5,691, down from #4,064 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe and Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight and Warrington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gallop is 1,358 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.7%.

1881 census count

952

Ranked #4,064

Modern count

1,025

2016, ranked #5,691

Peak year

1911

1,358 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gallop had 952 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,064 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,025 in 2016, ranked #5,691.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,358 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gallop surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gallop surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Gallop 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 590 #4,332
1861 historical 671 #4,001
1881 historical 952 #4,064
1891 historical 1,181 #3,627
1901 historical 1,208 #4,080
1911 historical 1,358 #3,535
1997 modern 1,096 #5,088
1998 modern 1,123 #5,164
1999 modern 1,152 #5,104
2000 modern 1,145 #5,088
2001 modern 1,103 #5,160
2002 modern 1,106 #5,248
2003 modern 1,064 #5,317
2004 modern 1,064 #5,331
2005 modern 1,028 #5,425
2006 modern 1,009 #5,522
2007 modern 1,030 #5,480
2008 modern 1,018 #5,569
2009 modern 1,027 #5,643
2010 modern 1,030 #5,735
2011 modern 1,031 #5,678
2012 modern 1,017 #5,665
2013 modern 1,050 #5,601
2014 modern 1,049 #5,634
2015 modern 1,027 #5,686
2016 modern 1,025 #5,691

Geography

Back to top

Where Gallops are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe, Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, Newchurch and Poole St James. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight and Warrington. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Dundry, Winford, Nempnett Thrubwell, Blagdon, Butcombe Somerset
3 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
4 Newchurch Hampshire
5 Poole St James Dorset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 018 Isle of Wight
2 Warrington 006 Warrington
3 Isle of Wight 017 Isle of Wight
4 Warrington 008 Warrington
5 Isle of Wight 015 Isle of Wight

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Gallop

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Gallop

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gallop, 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 Gallop surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gallop 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Gallop is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gallop is most concentrated in decile 4 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gallop 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 Gallop 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 Gallop, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gallop

The surname Gallop is of English origin and is believed to have originated in the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "gealop," which means "to run or canter like a horse." This surname was likely given to someone who was known for their swift running or riding abilities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gallop surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a person named William Gallop is mentioned. Other early records include the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1240, which lists a Hugo Galop, and the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire from 1273, which mentions a Richard Galop.

In the 14th century, the Gallop surname appeared in various forms, such as Galop, Galopp, and Gallup. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling conventions of the time. The surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Essex, Gloucestershire, and Huntingdonshire.

One notable figure with the Gallop surname was Sir Thomas Gallop, a member of the English gentry who lived in the late 15th century. He was a landowner in Streatley, Berkshire, and his family's coat of arms featured three horses' heads, symbolizing their association with horses and riding.

In the 16th century, the Gallop surname can be found in records such as the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1524, which mentions a John Gallop. During this time, the name also appeared in various place names, such as Gallop's Green in Essex and Gallop's Hill in Gloucestershire.

Another prominent figure with the Gallop surname was John Gallop (c. 1590-1675), a English settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is known for being one of the founders of the town of Taunton, Massachusetts, and served as a representative in the colonial government.

Other notable individuals with the Gallop surname include:

1. Richard Gallop (1670-1703), an English pirate active in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. 2. John Gallop (1815-1899), an English-born Australian artist and naturalist. 3. Edward Gallop (1858-1947), an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire. 4. Jane Gallop (born 1952), an American literary critic and feminist theorist.

The Gallop surname continues to be found throughout English-speaking countries, with concentrations in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia, reflecting the migration patterns of individuals with this name over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Gallop families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gallop 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. Sussex leads with 181 Gallops recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.54x.

County Total Index
Sussex 181 11.54x
Hampshire 139 7.29x
Somerset 126 8.41x
Dorset 108 17.68x
Middlesex 83 0.89x
Gloucestershire 58 3.18x
Lancashire 57 0.52x
Surrey 56 1.24x
Devon 37 1.91x
Kent 37 1.17x
Buckinghamshire 13 2.31x
Glamorgan 8 0.49x
Cheshire 7 0.34x
Yorkshire 7 0.08x
Hertfordshire 6 0.94x
Oxfordshire 6 1.04x
Wiltshire 5 0.61x
Derbyshire 4 0.27x
Suffolk 4 0.35x
Channel Islands 3 1.09x
Essex 2 0.11x
Norfolk 2 0.14x
Brecknockshire 1 0.54x
Cornwall 1 0.09x
Durham 1 0.04x
Northumberland 1 0.07x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hastings All Sts in Sussex leads with 65 Gallops recorded in 1881 and an index of 439.78x.

Place Total Index
Hastings All Sts 65 439.78x
Warrington 46 35.14x
Hastings St Mary In The 39 116.52x
Bedminster 25 17.76x
Yatton 25 428.82x
Blagdon 17 539.68x
Kinson 17 142.38x
Ryde 16 39.04x
Longfleet 14 198.02x
Ore 14 119.86x
Parkstone 14 196.35x
Christchurch 13 31.43x
Kensington London 12 2.32x
Wimbledon 12 23.57x
Ubley 11 1208.79x
East Meon 10 200.80x
Hastings St Clement 10 67.75x
Hinton Martel 10 826.45x
Ventnor 10 55.13x
Whippingham 10 69.25x
Whitwell 10 442.48x
Wimborne Minster 10 101.21x
Bermondsey 9 3.25x
Bristol St George 9 10.66x
Holdenhurst 9 17.99x
Lambeth 9 1.11x
Paddington London 9 2.63x
Poole St James 9 39.22x
St Helens 9 64.89x
St Marylebone London 9 1.81x
Brighton 8 2.53x
Bristol St Nicholas 8 243.90x
Carisbrooke 8 30.21x
Dundry 8 444.44x
Hawkhurst 8 81.05x
Poltimore 8 869.57x
Upton Cum Chalvey 8 35.68x
Westbury On Trym 8 12.94x
Alverstoke 7 10.14x
Arreton 7 114.38x
Bristol St Thomas 7 336.54x
Chew Stoke 7 315.32x
Deptford St Paul 7 2.86x
Exeter St Sidwell 7 15.78x
Wolborough 7 28.58x
Bradford Peverell 6 571.43x
Brading 6 23.67x
Cheltenham 6 4.26x
Doncaster 6 8.91x
Hampreston 6 135.14x
Hemel Hempstead 6 20.76x
Newchurch 6 138.57x
St George Hanover Square 6 3.66x
Sturminster 6 101.35x
Brampford Speke 5 324.68x
Burnett 5 2272.73x
Burrington 5 347.22x
Charlton 5 23.71x
Chew Magna 5 95.24x
Clifton 5 5.42x
Cuckfield 5 31.55x
Finchley 5 14.01x
Gillingham 5 7.64x
Hammersmith London 5 2.18x
Hastings St Leonards 5 21.68x
Heston 5 16.18x
Horfield 5 27.22x
Newington 5 1.45x
Portsea 5 1.34x
Roath 5 6.79x
Rye 5 33.53x
Stockport 5 4.73x
Sturminster Marshall 5 196.08x
Tetsworth 5 367.65x
Wolverton 5 42.96x
Bishops Hull 4 82.64x
Clerkenwell London 4 1.82x
Fairlight 4 259.74x
Hastings St Mary 4 10.24x
Shoreditch London 4 0.99x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 44
Elizabeth 37
Eliza 24
Sarah 24
Ellen 21
Annie 19
Jane 18
Ann 16
Alice 15
Charlotte 15
Emily 15
Emma 13
Louisa 12
Edith 11
Florence 10
Fanny 8
Bessie 7
Maria 7
Agnes 6
Caroline 6
Harriet 6
Martha 6
Susan 6
Ada 5
Harriett 5
Lucy 5
Rose 5
Amelia 4
Amy 4
Hannah 4
Julia 4
Kate 4
Minnie 4
Anne 3
Beatrice 3
Catherine 3
Eliz. 3
Frances 3
A. 2
Blanch 2
Georgina 2
Isabella 2
Jessie 2
Lily 2
Margaret 2
Marian 2
May 2
Rosa 2
Rosina 2
Selina 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 65
George 48
John 45
Charles 28
James 28
Thomas 25
Henry 21
Edward 20
Albert 15
Arthur 11
Harry 10
Richard 10
Frederick 9
Samuel 9
Walter 9
Alfred 6
Ernest 6
Joseph 5
Benjamin 4
Francis 4
Frank 4
Isaac 4
Robert 4
Edwin 3
Geo. 3
Herbert 3
Tom 2
Willie 2
Andrew 1
Arther 1
Chas. 1
Chas.Ernest 1
Christopher 1
Curtis 1
Earnest 1
Edwd.Benjn. 1
Egerton 1
Emmanuel 1
Ferdinand 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Fredrick 1
Harold 1
Henery 1
Herman 1
Huish 1
Isarael 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Gallop surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gallop surname in 1881?

In 1881, 952 people were recorded with the Gallop surname. That placed it at #4,064 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gallop surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,025 in 2016. That gives Gallop a modern rank of #5,691.

What does the Gallop surname mean?

An English surname derived from the word "gallop" and likely referred to a messenger, courier, or someone with fleet feet.

What does the Gallop map show?

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