UK surname
A surname derived from the herb, likely applied to someone who grew or sold garlic.
In the 1881 census there were 142 people recorded with the Garlic surname, ranking it #16,012 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 24, ranked #36,392, down from #16,012 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Putney, Greens Norton and Glossop. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Garlic is 184 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 83.1%.
1881 census count
142
Ranked #16,012
Modern count
24
2016, ranked #36,392
Peak year
1861
184 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Garlic surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Garlic surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 83 | #19,181 |
| 1861 | historical | 184 | #12,856 |
| 1881 | historical | 142 | #16,012 |
| 1891 | historical | 101 | #23,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 62 | #27,252 |
| 1911 | historical | 19 | #31,416 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 21 | #35,788 |
| 1999 | modern | 24 | #35,514 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 22 | #35,531 |
| 2002 | modern | 23 | #35,606 |
| 2003 | modern | 33 | #34,773 |
| 2004 | modern | 31 | #35,105 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 26 | #35,822 |
| 2007 | modern | 28 | #35,801 |
| 2008 | modern | 27 | #35,956 |
| 2009 | modern | 32 | #35,730 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 27 | #36,136 |
| 2012 | modern | 24 | #36,288 |
| 2013 | modern | 27 | #36,150 |
| 2014 | modern | 27 | #36,180 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 24 | #36,392 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Putney, Greens Norton, Glossop, London parishes and Birkin. 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.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Putney | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Greens Norton | Northamptonshire |
| 3 | Glossop | Derbyshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Birkin | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Garlic surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Garlic, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Garlic surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Garlic household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Garlic 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
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Garlic is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Garlic, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "GARLIC" is an English surname that originated in the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "garlec," which means "spear leek" or "garlic." This surname was likely given to someone who grew, sold, or consumed a lot of garlic.
In the early days, surnames were often occupational names or descriptive names that identified a person's trade, physical characteristics, or place of residence. The surname "GARLIC" falls into the category of occupational surnames, indicating that the original bearer of this name was likely associated with the cultivation, trade, or consumption of garlic.
One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named "Robert Garlek" is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time.
The name "GARLIC" was also present in various historical records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a "William Garlek" was recorded. Additionally, in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1392, a "John Garlek" was mentioned.
Interestingly, there was a village called "Garlic" in Lincolnshire, England, which may have influenced the surname's origin or been named after someone with this surname.
One notable person with the surname "GARLIC" was John Garlic, born in 1567 in Oxfordshire, England. He was a renowned herbalist and author of the book "The Virtuous Garlic: A Treatise on its Cultivation and Uses."
Another individual with this surname was Thomas Garlic, born in 1612 in Gloucestershire, England. He was a farmer known for his expertise in growing garlic and other alliums.
In the 17th century, a woman named Elizabeth Garlic (1635-1703) from Warwickshire, England, gained recognition for her skills in cooking with garlic and developing unique recipes featuring the pungent herb.
Moving to the 18th century, there was a notable figure named William Garlic (1725-1789) from Yorkshire, England. He was a merchant who specialized in importing and exporting garlic and other spices.
Lastly, in the 19th century, a man named Charles Garlic (1845-1912) from Suffolk, England, was a renowned chef known for his innovative use of garlic in French cuisine, which was uncommon at that time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Garlic surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Northamptonshire leads with 33 Garlics recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.33x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire | 33 | 25.33x |
| Surrey | 17 | 2.52x |
| Lancashire | 16 | 0.97x |
| Yorkshire | 14 | 1.02x |
| Gloucestershire | 11 | 4.05x |
| Worcestershire | 8 | 4.42x |
| Oxfordshire | 6 | 7.02x |
| Cornwall | 5 | 3.19x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 2.31x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.36x |
| Monmouthshire | 5 | 4.99x |
| Cheshire | 4 | 1.31x |
| Berkshire | 3 | 2.89x |
| Buckinghamshire | 2 | 2.39x |
| Durham | 2 | 0.49x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 1.30x |
| Renfrewshire | 2 | 1.86x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.35x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Greens Norton in Northamptonshire leads with 18 Garlics recorded in 1881 and an index of 4390.24x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Garlic surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 9 |
| Sarah | 9 |
| Eliza | 6 |
| Elizabeth | 4 |
| Hannah | 3 |
| Amy | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| Bessy | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Dinah | 1 |
| Ellen | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Fanny | 1 |
| Frances | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Jesse | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Katherine | 1 |
| Leteta | 1 |
| Lettice | 1 |
| Lucy | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Nancy | 1 |
| Nanny | 1 |
| Nellie | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
| Thirza | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Garlic surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Garlic households.
FAQ
In 1881, 142 people were recorded with the Garlic surname. That placed it at #16,012 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 24 in 2016. That gives Garlic a modern rank of #36,392.
A surname derived from the herb, likely applied to someone who grew or sold garlic.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Garlic bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.