NameCensus.

UK surname

Gately

Derived from a place name meaning "goat meadow" or "gate clearing" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 67 people recorded with the Gately surname, ranking it #24,104 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 283, ranked #15,359, up from #24,104 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Liverpool and Walsall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Camden and Warwick.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gately is 283 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 322.4%.

1881 census count

67

Ranked #24,104

Modern count

283

2016, ranked #15,359

Peak year

2016

283 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gately had 67 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,104 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 283 in 2016, ranked #15,359.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 107 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gately surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gately surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gately 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 69 #21,148
1861 historical 44 #28,433
1881 historical 67 #24,104
1891 historical 75 #27,414
1901 historical 67 #26,703
1911 historical 107 #21,842
1997 modern 230 #16,109
1998 modern 256 #15,436
1999 modern 251 #15,751
2000 modern 244 #16,004
2001 modern 246 #15,684
2002 modern 251 #15,770
2003 modern 246 #15,769
2004 modern 244 #15,948
2005 modern 237 #16,244
2006 modern 236 #16,384
2007 modern 236 #16,617
2008 modern 233 #16,885
2009 modern 256 #16,145
2010 modern 274 #15,705
2011 modern 271 #15,708
2012 modern 270 #15,667
2013 modern 275 #15,719
2014 modern 276 #15,788
2015 modern 279 #15,527
2016 modern 283 #15,359

Geography

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Where Gatelys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Liverpool, Walsall, West Kirby and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Camden, Warwick, Bury and Sedgemoor. 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 Manchester Lancashire
2 Liverpool Lancashire
3 Walsall Staffordshire
4 West Kirby Cheshire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 001 Powys
2 Camden 015 Camden
3 Warwick 015 Warwick
4 Bury 016 Bury
5 Sedgemoor 011 Sedgemoor

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gately

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gately

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Gately surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gately 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gately is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gately 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

Gately falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gately is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Gately

The surname Gately is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name O'Geidheallaidh, which means "descendant of the wild Irishman." The name is believed to have originated in County Sligo, Ireland, in the 12th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gately can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a historical chronicle of medieval Irish history written by Franciscan friars in the 17th century. It mentions a Giolla Iosa O'Geidheallaidh, who was a member of the clergy in the 14th century.

The name Gately is also found in the Irish Fiants, which are official records of letters patent issued by the English government in Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1604, a John Gately is mentioned as receiving a grant of land in County Sligo.

In the 19th century, the Gately surname was well-established in County Sligo and neighboring counties in the west of Ireland. Notable individuals with this surname include Patrick Gately (1789-1857), an Irish-born Catholic priest who served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Rapides in Louisiana, USA.

Another prominent figure was John Gately (1835-1908), an Irish-born lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons representing the riding of Northumberland West in Ontario from 1887 to 1896.

In the literary world, Thomas Gately (1819-1899) was an Irish-born American author and journalist who wrote several historical novels and biographies, including a biography of the Irish patriot Robert Emmet.

Edward Gately (1872-1942) was an American architect who designed several notable buildings in New York City, including the Church of St. Paul the Apostle and the New York County Courthouse.

Finally, James Gately (1915-2005) was an American actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows, including The Untouchables and The Twilight Zone.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gately families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gately 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 22 Gatelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.84x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 22 2.84x
Staffordshire 14 6.35x
Yorkshire 8 1.24x
Cornwall 6 8.11x
Warwickshire 6 3.64x
Worcestershire 4 4.69x
Derbyshire 2 1.95x
Lanarkshire 2 0.95x
Lincolnshire 1 0.96x
Middlesex 1 0.15x
Surrey 1 0.31x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walsall Borough in Staffordshire leads with 10 Gatelys recorded in 1881 and an index of 584.80x.

Place Total Index
Walsall Borough 10 584.80x
Widnes 10 178.89x
Gwennap 6 428.57x
Birmingham 4 7.28x
Bradford 4 25.51x
Burslem 4 63.29x
Liverpool 4 8.49x
Barrow In Furness 3 28.44x
Coleshill 2 377.36x
Droitwich St Nicholas 2 625.00x
Glasgow 2 5.33x
Glossop Dale 2 41.75x
Huddersfield 2 21.21x
Leeds 2 5.47x
Oldbury 2 47.62x
Warrington 2 21.76x
Eccleston In Prescot 1 25.71x
Farnworth 1 21.51x
Ince In Makerfield 1 27.70x
Mile End Old Town London 1 7.19x
Putney 1 33.56x
St Mary Magdalen Lincoln 1 714.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 6
Ann 2
Annie 2
Bridget 2
Catherine 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Brigget 1
Catharine 1
Celia 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Elizth. 1
Ellen 1
Gertude 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1

Top male names

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

Top occupations

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 Gately households.

FAQ

Gately surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gately surname in 1881?

In 1881, 67 people were recorded with the Gately surname. That placed it at #24,104 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gately surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 283 in 2016. That gives Gately a modern rank of #15,359.

What does the Gately surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "goat meadow" or "gate clearing" in Old English.

What does the Gately map show?

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