NameCensus.

UK surname

Galvin

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Gealbháin, meaning "descendant of Gealbhán," derived from the nickname meaning "little bright one."

In the 1881 census there were 642 people recorded with the Galvin surname, ranking it #5,551 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,030, ranked #2,220, up from #5,551 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Pancras and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Barnsley and Caerphilly.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Galvin is 3,117 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 372.0%.

1881 census count

642

Ranked #5,551

Modern count

3,030

2016, ranked #2,220

Peak year

2010

3,117 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Galvin had 642 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,551 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,030 in 2016, ranked #2,220.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 943 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Galvin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Galvin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Galvin 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 279 #8,067
1861 historical 371 #6,875
1881 historical 642 #5,551
1891 historical 638 #6,075
1901 historical 840 #5,417
1911 historical 943 #4,772
1997 modern 2,866 #2,251
1998 modern 2,981 #2,261
1999 modern 3,020 #2,252
2000 modern 2,986 #2,257
2001 modern 2,928 #2,248
2002 modern 2,980 #2,256
2003 modern 2,901 #2,266
2004 modern 2,911 #2,257
2005 modern 2,856 #2,271
2006 modern 2,833 #2,295
2007 modern 2,835 #2,311
2008 modern 2,899 #2,277
2009 modern 2,998 #2,250
2010 modern 3,117 #2,214
2011 modern 3,053 #2,226
2012 modern 2,991 #2,228
2013 modern 3,039 #2,242
2014 modern 3,060 #2,234
2015 modern 3,055 #2,216
2016 modern 3,030 #2,220

Geography

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Where Galvins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Pancras, Manchester and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Coventry, Barnsley, Caerphilly and Hillingdon. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Pancras London (North Districts)
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Coventry 039 Coventry
2 Barnsley 013 Barnsley
3 Barnsley 014 Barnsley
4 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
5 Hillingdon 001 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Galvin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Galvin

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Galvin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Galvin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Galvin 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

Galvin 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

Galvin 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 Galvin 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Galvin

The surname Galvin has its origins in Ireland, tracing back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Ó Gallchobhair," which means "descendant of the foreign aid" or "foreign helper." This name was likely given to someone who provided assistance to foreigners or travelers.

The Galvin name is most closely associated with County Mayo in the west of Ireland. It is believed to have originated in the village of Ballycroy, which was once part of the ancient territory of the Ó Gallchobhair clan. The name was anglicized to Galvin over time, with various spellings such as Galwey, Galway, and Gallway appearing in early records.

One of the earliest documented references to the Galvin name can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The annals mention a notable figure named Donnchadh Ó Gallchobhair, who was a leader of the clan in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, a Galvin family was recorded as landowners in Ballycroy, County Mayo. This branch of the family produced several prominent figures, including Pádraig Galvin, who was a member of the Irish Parliament in the late 17th century.

Another notable bearer of the Galvin name was John Galvin (1839-1916), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Galvin Life Insurance Company in Chicago. He was also involved in the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, a major engineering feat of the time.

In the world of sports, Pat Galvin (1892-1976) was a famous Irish hurler who played for the Limerick senior team in the early 20th century. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of his era and was inducted into the GAA Museum's Hall of Fame.

The Galvin name has also been associated with the literary world. James Galvin (born 1951) is an American poet and novelist known for his works set in the American West, including the novel "The Meadow" and the poetry collection "Resurrection Update."

These are just a few examples of the rich history and notable figures associated with the Galvin surname, which has its roots firmly planted in the Irish county of Mayo and the ancient Ó Gallchobhair clan.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Galvin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Galvin 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. Lancashire leads with 250 Galvins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.35x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 250 3.35x
Yorkshire 111 1.78x
Middlesex 77 1.23x
Kent 36 1.68x
Surrey 26 0.85x
Warwickshire 26 1.64x
Derbyshire 16 1.63x
Essex 13 1.05x
Staffordshire 13 0.61x
Cheshire 11 0.79x
Glamorgan 9 0.82x
Nottinghamshire 9 1.06x
Angus 8 1.37x
Hampshire 8 0.62x
Gloucestershire 7 0.57x
Worcestershire 5 0.61x
Lanarkshire 3 0.15x
Northumberland 3 0.32x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.34x
Pembrokeshire 2 1.00x
Royal Navy 2 2.67x
Berkshire 1 0.21x
Devon 1 0.08x
Flintshire 1 0.59x
Leicestershire 1 0.14x
Midlothian 1 0.12x
Shropshire 1 0.18x
Sussex 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 49 Galvins recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.82x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 49 10.82x
Manchester 28 8.35x
Birmingham 26 4.92x
Leeds 24 6.83x
Oldham 18 7.48x
St Pancras London 15 2.97x
Salford 13 5.93x
Islington London 12 1.97x
Sutton Stoneferry 12 67.38x
Wigan 12 11.52x
Barking 11 30.32x
Bedford 11 70.56x
Bradford 11 7.30x
Chelsea London 11 5.81x
Chorlton On Medlock 10 8.44x
Everton 10 4.21x
Greenwich 10 10.00x
Northowram 10 22.91x
Toxteth Park 10 3.96x
Huddersfield 9 9.92x
Kirkdale 9 7.18x
Aismunderby Cum 8 454.55x
Camberwell 8 1.99x
Hunslet 8 8.24x
Lambeth 8 1.46x
Liff Benvie 8 9.05x
Deptford St Paul 7 4.23x
Over Darwen 7 11.76x
Preston 7 3.51x
Sutton 7 28.00x
Bury 6 7.05x
Cannock 6 16.22x
Canterbury Holy Cross 6 289.86x
Llandaff 6 16.49x
Nottingham St Mary 6 2.74x
Warrington 6 6.79x
Barrow In Furness 5 4.93x
Burntwood Edial 5 36.90x
Canterbury St Gregory 5 177.31x
Eyam 5 181.82x
Great Bolton 5 5.06x
Horton In Bradford 5 5.14x
Idle 5 17.33x
Ratcliffe London 5 14.41x
Sheffield 5 2.52x
Ardwick 4 5.95x
Ashton Under Lyne 4 2.46x
Derby St Peter 4 12.77x
Eccleston In Prescot 4 10.69x
Glossop Dale 4 8.68x
Pennington In Leigh 4 27.97x
Preston 4 116.28x
Runcorn 4 12.51x
St Andrew Holborn London 4 14.71x
Wakefield 4 8.37x
Westminster St James 4 6.19x
All Hallows Lombard 3 833.33x
Alverstoke 3 6.44x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 2.59x
Crompton 3 14.13x
Dudley 3 3.01x
Hammersmith London 3 1.94x
Macclesfield 3 4.87x
Mitcham 3 15.50x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 3 5.37x
Parr 3 11.25x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 2.37x
Westminster St John 3 3.92x
Aldershot 2 4.64x
Bredon 2 71.43x
Bristol Christchurch 2 111.73x
Charlton 2 14.04x
Chesterfield 2 5.42x
Farnworth 2 4.48x
Haverfordwest St Martin 2 54.05x
Limehouse London 2 2.90x
Portsmouth 2 6.75x
St Marylebone London 2 0.60x
Staplegate 2 357.14x
Worksop 2 7.97x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 57
James 37
Thomas 32
Michael 23
Patrick 18
Joseph 15
William 15
Daniel 8
George 7
Peter 6
Thos. 6
Edward 5
Henry 5
Benjamin 4
Charles 4
Matthew 4
Alfred 3
Andrew 3
Cornelius 3
Frederick 3
Jas. 3
Nicholas 3
Robert 3
Wm. 3
Bartholamew 2
David 2
Frank 2
Jeremiah 2
Laurence 2
Stephen 2
Timothy 2
Tobias 2
Walter 2
Christopher 1
Denis 1
Dennis 1
E.Henry 1
Harold 1
Hugh 1
Humphrey 1
Infant 1
J. 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1
Mark 1
Mat 1
Michal 1
Micheal 1
Ned 1
Wm.Jas. 1

FAQ

Galvin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Galvin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 642 people were recorded with the Galvin surname. That placed it at #5,551 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Galvin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,030 in 2016. That gives Galvin a modern rank of #2,220.

What does the Galvin surname mean?

Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Gealbháin, meaning "descendant of Gealbhán," derived from the nickname meaning "little bright one."

What does the Galvin map show?

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