UK surname
An English surname derived from an Old English personal name meaning "descended from foreigners".
In the 1881 census there were 98 people recorded with the Garling surname, ranking it #19,999 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #19,999 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Paddington and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Garling is 283 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 52.0%.
1881 census count
98
Ranked #19,999
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1861
283 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Garling surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Garling surname density by area, 1891 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 | 112 | #15,913 |
| 1861 | historical | 283 | #8,866 |
| 1881 | historical | 98 | #19,999 |
| 1891 | historical | 131 | #20,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 73 | #26,069 |
| 1911 | historical | 89 | #23,922 |
| 1997 | modern | 49 | #32,776 |
| 1998 | modern | 56 | #32,313 |
| 1999 | modern | 55 | #32,561 |
| 2000 | modern | 54 | #32,710 |
| 2001 | modern | 46 | #33,311 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 50 | #33,362 |
| 2004 | modern | 50 | #33,566 |
| 2005 | modern | 43 | #34,328 |
| 2006 | modern | 45 | #34,491 |
| 2007 | modern | 49 | #34,422 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 50 | #34,663 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 50 | #34,816 |
| 2012 | modern | 49 | #34,873 |
| 2013 | modern | 48 | #35,012 |
| 2014 | modern | 50 | #34,927 |
| 2015 | modern | 47 | #35,056 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Paddington, London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Lambeth. 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 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Paddington | London (West Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a | Essex |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Garling 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 Garling, 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 Garling surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Garling 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, Garling 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 Garling is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Garling, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname GARLING is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated in the region of Cambridgeshire, England, around the 13th or 14th century.
The name GARLING is thought to be a locational surname, derived from a place name or geographical feature. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the Old English word "gara," meaning "triangular piece of land," combined with the suffix "-ling," indicating a diminutive or "little." This could potentially refer to a small triangular plot of land or a specific location.
Another possible etymology links GARLING to the Old English word "gearr," meaning "spear" or "javelin," with the suffix "-ling" denoting "descendant of" or "dweller at." This interpretation suggests that the name may have been associated with someone who was a skilled spearman or lived near a place associated with spear-making or hunting.
Early recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents. One notable mention is in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where the name appears as "Gerlinge." This record suggests that the name was already in use during the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the surname GARLING appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1327, listed as "Gerlynge." This variation in spelling was common during that time period, as standardized spellings were not yet established.
Among the notable individuals bearing the surname GARLING throughout history are:
1. Robert Garling (c. 1580 - 1647), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. 2. John Garling (1612 - 1679), an English merchant and landowner from Huntingdonshire, known for his extensive trade with the Netherlands. 3. Elizabeth Garling (1638 - 1717), a philanthropist from Cambridgeshire who established a fund to support poor families in her local community. 4. William Garling (1765 - 1848), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. 5. Sir Thomas Garling (1810 - 1892), a British civil engineer and architect who oversaw the construction of several notable landmarks in London, including the Royal Albert Hall.
While the surname GARLING is not among the most common in England, it has left its mark on the historical records, reflecting the rich heritage and diverse origins of English surnames.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Garling 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. Middlesex leads with 27 Garlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.82x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 27 | 2.82x |
| Essex | 23 | 12.19x |
| Kent | 15 | 4.60x |
| Surrey | 11 | 2.36x |
| Hertfordshire | 6 | 9.11x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 0.63x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.26x |
| Lanarkshire | 2 | 0.65x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 1.72x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.50x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.31x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.41x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Colchester St Botolph in Essex leads with 12 Garlings recorded in 1881 and an index of 750.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Colchester St Botolph | 12 | 750.00x |
| Poplar London | 8 | 44.35x |
| Camberwell | 7 | 11.46x |
| Adisham | 6 | 4000.00x |
| Little Oakley | 6 | 6000.00x |
| St Albans | 6 | 444.44x |
| Hipperholme Cum | 5 | 120.19x |
| Islington London | 5 | 5.40x |
| Nonington | 5 | 1923.08x |
| Hammersmith London | 4 | 16.99x |
| Kensington London | 4 | 7.53x |
| West Ham | 3 | 7.20x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 7.03x |
| Blackburn | 2 | 6.63x |
| Folkestone | 2 | 31.60x |
| Harwich St Nicholas | 2 | 136.99x |
| Old Monkland | 2 | 16.30x |
| St Luke London | 2 | 13.05x |
| St Pancras London | 2 | 2.60x |
| Barnsley | 1 | 10.24x |
| Betchworth | 1 | 175.44x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.24x |
| Burton Upon Trent | 1 | 13.25x |
| Clapham | 1 | 8.37x |
| Cockfield | 1 | 322.58x |
| Eastry | 1 | 222.22x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.87x |
| Hoxne | 1 | 303.03x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 1 | 6.52x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 2.41x |
| Tonbridge | 1 | 8.50x |
| Walton On Hill | 1 | 16.29x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Garling surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Garling 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 Garling households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Master Baker Employing Two Hands | 5 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Fishmonger | 2 |
| Scollar | 2 |
| Architect | 1 |
| Boarder | 1 |
| Bricklayer And Publican | 1 |
| Bricklayers Lab | 1 |
| Cab Driver | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coppersmith | 1 |
| Cotton Rover | 1 |
| Cotton Undercarder | 1 |
| Cutter (Artiz) | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Fancy B... Drawer (Paper) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| General Domestic Serv | 1 |
| General Servt (Domestic) | 1 |
| Grocers Assistant | 1 |
| Hairdresser | 1 |
| House Agent | 1 |
| House Agent Wife | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Builder | 1 |
| Labourer Iron Work | 1 |
| Labourers Wife | 1 |
| Milkman | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| None Rent Of Cottages | 1 |
| Parlour Maid | 1 |
| Potman (Iron) | 1 |
| Printer Empl 3 Men | 1 |
| Scale Beam Forger | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
| Teacher (Sc) | 1 |
| Wood Sawyer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 98 people were recorded with the Garling surname. That placed it at #19,999 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Garling a modern rank of #35,069.
An English surname derived from an Old English personal name meaning "descended from foreigners".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Garling 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.