NameCensus.

UK surname

Gatenby

A locational surname originating from the village of Gatenby in North Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 697 people recorded with the Gatenby surname, ranking it #5,202 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,028, ranked #5,679, down from #5,202 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Warsill, Ripon (Newby-with-Mulwith, Ripon) and Stranton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Selby, Stockton-on-Tees and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gatenby is 1,109 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.5%.

1881 census count

697

Ranked #5,202

Modern count

1,028

2016, ranked #5,679

Peak year

1999

1,109 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gatenby had 697 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,202 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,028 in 2016, ranked #5,679.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 926 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Gatenby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gatenby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gatenby 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 465 #5,332
1861 historical 503 #5,200
1881 historical 697 #5,202
1891 historical 810 #4,984
1901 historical 926 #5,033
1911 historical 925 #4,845
1997 modern 1,047 #5,283
1998 modern 1,089 #5,305
1999 modern 1,109 #5,260
2000 modern 1,098 #5,275
2001 modern 1,069 #5,291
2002 modern 1,082 #5,346
2003 modern 1,044 #5,402
2004 modern 1,057 #5,364
2005 modern 1,027 #5,431
2006 modern 1,035 #5,412
2007 modern 1,027 #5,493
2008 modern 1,031 #5,513
2009 modern 1,045 #5,576
2010 modern 1,076 #5,534
2011 modern 1,062 #5,534
2012 modern 1,019 #5,649
2013 modern 1,047 #5,623
2014 modern 1,059 #5,592
2015 modern 1,042 #5,612
2016 modern 1,028 #5,679

Geography

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Where Gatenbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Warsill, Ripon (Newby-with-Mulwith, Ripon), Stranton, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles and Middlesborough. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Selby, Stockton-on-Tees, East Riding of Yorkshire and Bradford. 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 Warsill, Ripon (Newby-with-Mulwith, Ripon) Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Stranton Durham
4 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
5 Middlesborough Durham

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Selby 005 Selby
2 Stockton-on-Tees 008 Stockton-on-Tees
3 Stockton-on-Tees 014 Stockton-on-Tees
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 015 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Bradford 052 Bradford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gatenby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gatenby

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Gatenby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Gatenby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Gatenby is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Gatenby is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gatenby 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 Gatenby 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gatenby

The surname Gatenby originates from the village of Gatenby in North Yorkshire, England. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse words "gata" meaning road or way, and "by" meaning a village or homestead, essentially translating to "the village on the road."

During the medieval period, the name Gatenby was primarily concentrated in the Yorkshire region of northern England. One of the earliest recorded references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled as "Gatenesbi."

In the 13th century, a William de Gatenby was listed as a landowner in the village of Gatenby, indicating the surname's long-standing association with the area. Another early record comes from the Yorkshire Feet of Fines from 1301, which mentions a John de Gatenby.

Over the centuries, the surname has undergone various spelling variations, such as Gattenby, Gattingby, and Gatenbie. These variations reflect the inconsistencies in record-keeping and the influence of local dialects.

Notable individuals with the surname Gatenby include:

1. Robert Gatenby (1804-1890), an English clergyman and author, born in Yorkshire. 2. Edward Gatenby (1854-1935), a British architect known for designing several buildings in the Yorkshire region. 3. Samuel Gatenby (1851-1924), a British businessman and philanthropist, founder of the Gatenby Trust for underprivileged children. 4. Margaret Gatenby (1893-1973), an English author and playwright, known for her works exploring Yorkshire rural life. 5. John Gatenby (1920-2001), a British soldier who served in World War II and received the Military Cross for bravery.

While the surname Gatenby is not widespread, it maintains a strong connection to its Yorkshire roots and serves as a reminder of the region's rich history and the importance of place names in shaping family names.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gatenby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gatenby 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. Yorkshire leads with 436 Gatenbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.49x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 436 6.49x
Durham 109 5.40x
Lancashire 99 1.23x
Cheshire 16 1.07x
Staffordshire 10 0.44x
West Lothian 9 8.81x
Middlesex 5 0.07x
Nottinghamshire 3 0.33x
Dunbartonshire 2 1.10x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.23x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Lanarkshire 1 0.05x
Northumberland 1 0.10x
Sussex 1 0.09x
Westmorland 1 0.67x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 41 Gatenbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.81x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 41 10.81x
Manchester 38 10.50x
Stockton On Tees 36 37.03x
Middlesbrough 29 33.15x
Ripon 22 141.12x
Whitby 21 92.76x
Heworth 17 42.78x
Bollington In 14 105.11x
Carlton Miniott 14 1590.91x
Manningham 13 15.71x
Clifton In York 12 85.41x
Linthorpe 12 29.93x
Thirsk Sand Hutton 12 1666.67x
Carthorpe 11 1466.67x
Helperby 11 743.24x
Langtoft 11 763.89x
Marske In Guisbrough 11 92.20x
Thormanby 11 3548.39x
Bradford 10 6.15x
Aismunderby Cum 9 473.68x
Alne 9 789.47x
Brackenholme Cum 9 4500.00x
Cheetham 9 15.00x
Darlington 9 11.56x
Holbeck 9 20.22x
Liverpool 9 1.84x
Whitburn 9 61.02x
Masham 8 321.29x
York St Mary 8 28.75x
Dewsbury 7 10.16x
Maunby 7 1458.33x
Monkwearmouth 7 36.25x
Rainton Cum Newby 7 769.23x
Skinningrove 7 169.90x
Stranton 7 10.31x
Hunslet 6 5.73x
Hutton Rudby 6 298.51x
Salford 6 2.54x
Wolverhampton 6 3.41x
Barton Upon Irwell 5 8.26x
Bridlington 5 32.51x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 3.91x
Gateshead 5 3.31x
Great Smeaton 5 1111.11x
Moss Side 5 11.81x
Redworth 5 387.60x
Seaham 5 68.03x
West Rainton 5 80.13x
Eston 4 27.34x
Leyburn 4 176.99x
Newton 4 6.45x
Stoke Upon Trent 4 1.65x
Whitworth 4 27.08x
Wortley In Bramley 4 7.52x
Batley 3 4.70x
Bedale 3 122.45x
Crumpsall 3 15.82x
Easingwold 3 63.29x
Eskdaleside 3 90.91x
Exelby Leeming Newton 3 187.50x
Huby 3 260.87x
Killinghall 3 191.08x
Kimblesworth 3 111.11x
Kirby Wiske 3 576.92x
Lythe 3 111.94x
Newbottle 3 27.25x
Newby Wiske 3 600.00x
Northallerton 3 35.01x
Preston 3 1.39x
Radford 3 6.46x
Raskelf 3 270.27x
Stillington 3 215.83x
Thirsk 3 38.71x
Thornaby 3 11.95x
Toxteth Park 3 1.10x
Osmotherley Foxton 2 2500.00x
Row 2 8.49x
Ruswarp 2 26.77x
Skelton In Guisbrough 2 11.01x
Sutton On Forest 2 149.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 59
Elizabeth 30
Hannah 22
Jane 21
Sarah 18
Ann 16
Annie 11
Margaret 11
Isabella 10
Martha 8
Ellen 7
Ada 6
Alice 6
Emma 5
Esther 5
Anne 4
Clara 4
Jessie 4
Rachel 4
Eliza 3
Emily 3
Florence 3
Frances 3
Lizzie 3
Maria 3
Bertha 2
Catherine 2
Elizth. 2
Fanny 2
Harriett 2
Henrietta 2
Isabel 2
Louisa 2
Margret 2
Maud 2
Minnie 2
Nellie 2
Christina 1
Clary 1
Dora 1
Edna 1
Elizeabth 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth.M. 1
F.E.W. 1
Jammima 1
Laura 1
Lillie 1
Lizzie. 1
Tamar 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 62
William 51
Thomas 37
Robert 29
George 19
Richard 17
Christopher 13
Joseph 11
James 9
Henry 8
Charles 7
Andrew 6
Alfred 4
Arthur 4
Frank 4
Fred 4
Thos. 4
Tom 4
Samuel 3
Chorlton 2
Frederick 2
Herbert 2
Isaac 2
Robinson 2
Victor 2
Chalton 1
Chris. 1
Christr. 1
Cyrus 1
Dick 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
G.R. 1
Geo.G. 1
Harry 1
J.B. 1
Jno. 1
Mary 1
Matthew 1
Mensfirth 1
Michael 1
Nathaniel 1
Oliver 1
Peter 1
Reginald 1
Surfleet 1
Swinburne 1
T.F. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Gatenby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gatenby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 697 people were recorded with the Gatenby surname. That placed it at #5,202 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gatenby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,028 in 2016. That gives Gatenby a modern rank of #5,679.

What does the Gatenby surname mean?

A locational surname originating from the village of Gatenby in North Yorkshire, England.

What does the Gatenby map show?

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