NameCensus.

UK surname

Gatens

A German surname possibly derived from the Germanic word "gat", meaning "gap" or "hole".

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Gatens surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 187, ranked #20,488, up from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Lindsey, Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl and South Tyneside.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gatens is 191 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 750.0%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

187

2016, ranked #20,488

Peak year

2014

191 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gatens had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016, ranked #20,488.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 66 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Gatens surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gatens surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gatens 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 21 #29,550
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1891 historical 66 #28,541
1901 historical 61 #27,379
1911 historical 28 #30,296
1997 modern 161 #20,176
1998 modern 166 #20,329
1999 modern 167 #20,374
2000 modern 159 #20,975
2001 modern 163 #20,372
2002 modern 171 #20,177
2003 modern 178 #19,489
2004 modern 170 #20,146
2005 modern 171 #19,985
2006 modern 180 #19,526
2007 modern 170 #20,471
2008 modern 180 #19,946
2009 modern 176 #20,632
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 183 #20,425
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 185 #20,575
2014 modern 191 #20,302
2015 modern 185 #20,641
2016 modern 187 #20,488

Geography

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Where Gatens' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Lindsey, Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl, South Tyneside and Greenock Upper Central. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Lindsey 006 East Lindsey
2 Lower Bow and Larkfield, Fancy Farm, Mallard Bowl Inverclyde
3 South Tyneside 009 South Tyneside
4 Greenock Upper Central Inverclyde
5 South Tyneside 007 South Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gatens

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gatens

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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Gatens is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gatens is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gatens falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gatens

The surname Gatens is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "geat," meaning "gate" or "opening," potentially referring to an ancestor who lived near a gate or gate-keeper.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gatene." This historical record suggests that the name was already established in England by the 11th century.

During the 13th century, the name was found in various forms, such as "Gattyn," "Gatton," and "Gatins," reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was John Gatins, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1225.

The name Gatens is also closely associated with the village of Gatton in Surrey, which was known as "Gaten" in the Domesday Book. It is plausible that some individuals with the surname Gatens derived their name from this place, indicating their place of origin or residence.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Gatens. One such person was Sir William Gatens (1492-1554), a prominent English landowner and member of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII. Another was John Gatens (1670-1736), a renowned Anglican clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Suffolk.

In the literary realm, Robert Gatens (1809-1888) was an English poet and playwright who gained recognition for his works, including the acclaimed play "The Heir of Gatens Manor."

Moving across the Atlantic, James Gatens (1745-1821) was an American Revolutionary War soldier and early settler in the newly formed United States. He was among the first settlers in the town of Gatens, Ohio, which was likely named after him or his family.

Another notable figure was Sarah Gatens (1822-1897), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights in the United States. She founded several schools and played a pivotal role in advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in the 19th century.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname Gatens throughout history, each contributing to its rich tapestry and leaving an indelible mark in various fields and eras.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gatens families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gatens 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. Lanarkshire leads with 14 Gatens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.19x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 14 20.19x
Angus 4 20.13x
Lancashire 2 0.79x
Durham 1 1.57x
Renfrewshire 1 6.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Glasgow in Lanarkshire leads with 13 Gatens' recorded in 1881 and an index of 105.61x.

Place Total Index
Glasgow 13 105.61x
Dundee 4 53.91x
Blackburn 2 29.54x
Barony 1 5.70x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 36.23x
Middle Greenock 1 222.22x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Julia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Edward 1
John 1

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 Gatens households.

FAQ

Gatens surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gatens surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Gatens surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gatens surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016. That gives Gatens a modern rank of #20,488.

What does the Gatens surname mean?

A German surname possibly derived from the Germanic word "gat", meaning "gap" or "hole".

What does the Gatens map show?

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