NameCensus.

UK surname

Gauthier

A French occupational surname referring to a forest warden or woodsman, derived from the Old French "gaultier".

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Gauthier surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 146, ranked #24,173, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St Albans, Wyre and Blackpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gauthier is 146 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2820.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

146

2016, ranked #24,173

Peak year

2013

146 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gauthier had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016, ranked #24,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 17 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gauthier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gauthier surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gauthier 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 11 #32,452
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 11 #33,268
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 17 #31,675
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 104 #26,981
1999 modern 101 #27,617
2000 modern 95 #28,441
2001 modern 90 #28,793
2002 modern 102 #27,596
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 104 #27,338
2005 modern 110 #26,430
2006 modern 115 #25,969
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 120 #25,922
2009 modern 130 #25,176
2010 modern 136 #25,009
2011 modern 133 #25,177
2012 modern 143 #24,019
2013 modern 146 #24,107
2014 modern 143 #24,621
2015 modern 143 #24,481
2016 modern 146 #24,173

Geography

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Where Gauthiers 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 St Albans, Wyre, Blackpool and Rochdale. 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 St Albans 008 St Albans
2 St Albans 009 St Albans
3 Wyre 008 Wyre
4 Blackpool 019 Blackpool
5 Rochdale 002 Rochdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gauthier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gauthier

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gauthier, 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 Gauthier surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gauthier 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Gauthier is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gauthier 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

Gauthier falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gauthier 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Gauthier

The surname Gauthier originates from France and is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Walther, which means "ruler of the army" or "commander of the host". This name was introduced into France by the Franks during the 5th century.

The name Gauthier is a variant of the more common French surname Gaultier, with the "au" spelling reflecting the Norman French influence. It was particularly prevalent in the northern regions of France, such as Normandy and Picardy, where the Norman language had a strong presence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gauthier can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners in England after the Norman Conquest. The name appears as Gauterius, referring to a Norman landowner in Gloucestershire.

During the Middle Ages, the name Gauthier was borne by several notable figures. Jean Gauthier (c. 1200-1272) was a French theologian and philosopher who taught at the University of Paris. Gauthier de Châtillon (c. 1135-1201) was a French poet and ecclesiastic known for his Latin poetry.

In the 14th century, Gauthier de Metz (c. 1300-1365) was a renowned French architect who worked on several Gothic cathedrals, including the Cathedral of Reims. Gauthier de Bruges (c. 1350-1424) was a Flemish painter and one of the earliest practitioners of oil painting in the Netherlands.

During the Renaissance, Gauthier Lenet (1561-1629) was a French cleric and one of the founders of the Congregation of the Oratory in France. Gauthier de Costes (1515-1603) was a French writer and poet who served as a secretary to King Henry IV.

As the name spread across Europe, it took on various spellings and forms. In Italy, it became Gualtieri, while in Germany, it was rendered as Walter or Walther. The Spanish variant is Galter, and the Portuguese form is Gualter.

Throughout history, the surname Gauthier has been associated with several notable individuals from various fields, including arts, literature, religion, and architecture. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Germanic name Walther, reflecting the influence of the Franks on the French language and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gauthier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gauthier 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. Middlesex leads with 2 Gauthiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.12x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 2 4.12x
Midlothian 2 30.77x
Surrey 1 4.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Georges in Midlothian leads with 2 Gauthiers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1538.46x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Georges 2 1538.46x
Mortlake 1 909.09x
St George Hanover Square 1 117.65x
St Martin In Fields 1 344.83x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Louise 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Etienne 1
Julin 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 Gauthier households.

FAQ

Gauthier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gauthier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Gauthier surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gauthier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016. That gives Gauthier a modern rank of #24,173.

What does the Gauthier surname mean?

A French occupational surname referring to a forest warden or woodsman, derived from the Old French "gaultier".

What does the Gauthier map show?

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