NameCensus.

UK surname

Gallow

A last name derived from the gallows, suggesting an association with execution or punishment.

In the 1881 census there were 94 people recorded with the Gallow surname, ranking it #20,467 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #20,467 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Moulton, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gallow is 138 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 46.8%.

1881 census count

94

Ranked #20,467

Modern count

50

2016, ranked #34,889

Peak year

1861

138 bearers

Map years

2

1861 to 1891

Key insights

  • Gallow had 94 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #20,467 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016, ranked #34,889.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 138 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Gallow surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gallow surname density by area, 1891 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gallow 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 74 #20,443
1861 historical 138 #16,365
1881 historical 94 #20,467
1891 historical 115 #21,878
1901 historical 82 #25,019
1911 historical 16 #31,804
1997 modern 67 #30,915
1998 modern 63 #31,639
1999 modern 60 #32,078
2000 modern 52 #32,916
2001 modern 51 #32,850
2002 modern 52 #33,110
2003 modern 48 #33,533
2004 modern 49 #33,647
2005 modern 52 #33,619
2006 modern 55 #33,688
2007 modern 59 #33,634
2008 modern 63 #33,498
2009 modern 65 #33,611
2010 modern 64 #33,946
2011 modern 55 #34,502
2012 modern 49 #34,873
2013 modern 53 #34,715
2014 modern 51 #34,865
2015 modern 50 #34,886
2016 modern 50 #34,889

Geography

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Where Gallows are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Moulton, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Newcastle All Saints and St Pancras. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Moulton Lincolnshire
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Newcastle All Saints Northumberland
5 St Pancras London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gallow

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gallow

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Gallow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Gallow household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Gallow is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gallow is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gallow

The surname Gallow is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English word "galga," which means "gallows." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with someone who lived near a gallows or may have been involved in executing criminals.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Gallow can be traced back to the 13th century in various records and documents from different parts of England. One notable example is a reference to a Roger Gallow in the Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1275.

During the 14th century, the surname Gallow appeared in several other historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a John Gallow was mentioned. Additionally, the name was found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379, indicating its presence in different regions of England.

In the 15th century, the surname Gallow continued to be documented in various records, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a Thomas Gallow was recorded in 1440.

One notable individual with the surname Gallow was John Gallow, a merchant and alderman in the City of London, who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1605 and played a significant role in the city's governance during that time.

Another prominent figure with the surname Gallow was Sir William Gallow, a military officer who served in the English Civil War during the 17th century. He fought for the Parliamentarian forces and was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield.

In the 18th century, the surname Gallow was associated with several notable individuals, including Robert Gallow, a renowned artist and sculptor who created various works of art for churches and public buildings in London and other parts of England.

During the 19th century, the name Gallow continued to be present in various records and documents, with individuals bearing this surname making contributions in various fields, such as literature, science, and politics.

One notable figure from this period was Emily Gallow, a pioneering female writer and activist who advocated for women's rights and social reforms. She published several influential works that brought attention to the struggles and challenges faced by women during that era.

Throughout its history, the surname Gallow has been found in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and London, among others. While the name's origins are rooted in Old English, it has evolved and adapted over time, with variations in spelling and pronunciation occurring across different regions and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gallow families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gallow 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 27 Gallows recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.80x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 27 31.80x
Middlesex 23 2.51x
Durham 8 2.93x
Sussex 8 5.18x
Yorkshire 7 0.77x
Lancashire 6 0.55x
Essex 5 2.76x
Morayshire 3 21.07x
Northumberland 3 2.20x
Hampshire 1 0.53x
Lincolnshire 1 0.68x
Staffordshire 1 0.32x
Warwickshire 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. Aberdeen St Nicholas in Aberdeenshire leads with 19 Gallows recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.65x.

Place Total Index
Aberdeen St Nicholas 19 119.65x
St Pancras London 9 12.20x
Aberdeen Old Machar 8 45.12x
Shoreditch London 8 20.13x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 5 118.48x
West Derby 5 15.71x
Hastings St Clement 4 275.86x
Keymer 4 366.97x
St Marylebone London 4 8.17x
West Ham 4 10.01x
Bellie 3 468.75x
Birtley 3 270.27x
Greencroft 3 600.00x
Cramlington 2 111.11x
St Paul Covent Garden 2 217.39x
Bedlington 1 21.98x
Cannock 1 18.52x
Colchester St James 1 136.99x
Dalton In Huddersfield 1 49.26x
Darlington 1 9.50x
Edgbaston 1 13.95x
Fulwood 1 84.75x
Hedon 1 333.33x
Ryde 1 24.75x
Swineshead 1 208.33x
Whitburn 1 156.25x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
James 4
John 4
Robert 4
George 3
Joseph 3
Alexander 1
Carimous 1
Cornelius 1
Dawson 1
Herbt 1
Horace 1
Mark 1
Michael 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Gallow surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gallow surname in 1881?

In 1881, 94 people were recorded with the Gallow surname. That placed it at #20,467 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gallow surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Gallow a modern rank of #34,889.

What does the Gallow surname mean?

A last name derived from the gallows, suggesting an association with execution or punishment.

What does the Gallow map show?

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