NameCensus.

UK surname

Gaylard

A surname derived from old French meaning "merry lad" or "joyful youth".

In the 1881 census there were 240 people recorded with the Gaylard surname, ranking it #11,410 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 462, ranked #10,607, up from #11,410 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Long Sutton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gaylard is 516 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 92.5%.

1881 census count

240

Ranked #11,410

Modern count

462

2016, ranked #10,607

Peak year

1999

516 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gaylard had 240 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,410 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016, ranked #10,607.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 441 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gaylard surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gaylard surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gaylard 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 221 #9,630
1861 historical 210 #11,551
1881 historical 240 #11,410
1891 historical 299 #11,140
1901 historical 342 #10,608
1911 historical 441 #8,638
1997 modern 493 #9,399
1998 modern 497 #9,638
1999 modern 516 #9,439
2000 modern 511 #9,468
2001 modern 491 #9,604
2002 modern 484 #9,869
2003 modern 473 #9,879
2004 modern 483 #9,743
2005 modern 471 #9,867
2006 modern 490 #9,613
2007 modern 497 #9,615
2008 modern 500 #9,630
2009 modern 487 #10,059
2010 modern 505 #9,985
2011 modern 490 #10,114
2012 modern 488 #10,049
2013 modern 486 #10,250
2014 modern 493 #10,191
2015 modern 474 #10,418
2016 modern 462 #10,607

Geography

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Where Gaylards are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Long Sutton, Martock and Stoke-under-Hamdon. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Long Sutton Somerset
4 Martock Somerset
5 Stoke-under-Hamdon Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 017 South Somerset
2 South Somerset 023 South Somerset
3 South Somerset 022 South Somerset
4 South Somerset 015 South Somerset
5 South Somerset 014 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gaylard

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gaylard

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Gaylard surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gaylard 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Gaylard is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gaylard is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gaylard falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gaylard is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gaylard

The surname Gaylard originates from England, with roots tracing back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "gæl," meaning "jovial" or "merry," and "hierde," meaning "herdsman." Consequently, the name likely referred to a cheerful or lighthearted shepherd or herdsman.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gaylard surname appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, suggesting its presence in England during the Norman Conquest. The name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset in the southwest of England.

In the 13th century, records show a Richard Gaillard holding lands in Wiltshire. A century later, in the 14th century, John Gaylard was listed as a resident of the village of Bampton in Oxfordshire.

The surname has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, including Gaillard, Gaylerd, and Gaylord. These variations reflect regional dialects and the evolution of spelling conventions over time.

One notable bearer of the Gaylard name was Sir John Gaylard (1515-1589), a prominent English politician and landowner during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He served as a Member of Parliament for the county of Somerset and was knighted in 1573.

Another historical figure was Robert Gaylard (1642-1707), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Brightwell Baldwin in Oxfordshire. He published several religious works, including "The Church Revived" and "The Miscellany Sermons."

In the realm of literature, the name Gaylard appears in the works of the 17th-century English poet and dramatist William Cartwright. His play "The Royal Slave" features a character named Gaylard.

Moving into the 18th century, Thomas Gaylard (1719-1778) was a notable English scholar and educator. He served as the headmaster of the prestigious St. Paul's School in London and was renowned for his expertise in classical literature.

In the 19th century, Sir Shenton Gaylard (1830-1902) was a prominent British politician and judge. He served as a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire and later became a judge in the High Court of Justice.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have borne the Gaylard surname throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence in England from medieval times to the modern era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gaylard families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gaylard 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. Somerset leads with 158 Gaylards recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.75x.

County Total Index
Somerset 158 41.75x
Devon 15 3.07x
Surrey 14 1.22x
Middlesex 13 0.55x
Nottinghamshire 8 2.52x
Wiltshire 8 3.85x
Gloucestershire 7 1.52x
Hertfordshire 6 3.70x
Dorset 4 2.59x
Hampshire 4 0.83x
Glamorgan 2 0.49x
Kent 2 0.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Martock in Somerset leads with 52 Gaylards recorded in 1881 and an index of 2113.82x.

Place Total Index
Martock 52 2113.82x
Stoke Under Hambdon 48 3870.97x
Montacute 9 1304.35x
Plymouth Charles The 9 41.74x
Chilthorne Domer 8 5000.00x
Nottingham St Mary 8 9.76x
Yeovil 8 104.03x
Bristol St Paul In 7 57.00x
Battersea 6 6.94x
Bermondsey 6 8.57x
Long Sutton 6 857.14x
Plymouth St Andrew 6 15.92x
Potterne 6 645.16x
Bengeo 5 265.96x
Kensington London 5 3.83x
Bedminster 4 11.25x
High Ham 4 444.44x
Hillingdon 4 53.40x
Huish Episcopi 4 740.74x
Ilchester 3 545.45x
Nether Compton 3 967.74x
South Petherton 3 153.85x
Tintinhull 3 909.09x
Andover 2 43.96x
Glastonbury 2 64.72x
Langport 2 1111.11x
Salisbury St Thomas 2 121.21x
Wilmington 2 178.57x
Ystradyfodwg 2 5.57x
Alverstoke 1 5.73x
Clapham 1 3.40x
Edmonton 1 5.28x
Islington London 1 0.44x
Milton Clevedon 1 714.29x
Southampton St Mary 1 3.30x
Southwark St John 1 13.91x
St Marylebone London 1 0.80x
St Stephen Coleman Street 1 121.95x
Thorne Coffin 1 1111.11x
Thundridge 1 263.16x
Yetminster 1 175.44x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 8
Ellen 6
Sarah 5
Emily 4
Emma 4
Jane 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Anne 3
Annie 3
Eliza 3
Louisa 3
Rebecca 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Anna 2
Beatrice 2
Bessie 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Elizh. 2
Frances 2
Jessie 2
Julia 2
Rose 2
Amy 1
Angelina 1
Betsey 1
Caroline 1
Elizth. 1
Eva 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Hannah 1
Harriet 1
Isabel 1
Izet 1
June 1
Kate 1
Kezia 1
Leveyna 1
Lilian 1
Louise 1
Lucinda 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Maria 1
Virginia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 10
George 8
Henry 6
Thomas 6
Charles 5
James 5
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Edwin 3
Geo. 3
Herbert 3
Robert 3
Walter 3
Eli 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Frederick 2
Harry 2
Samuel 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Albin 1
Alfred 1
Archibold 1
Byron 1
Care 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Christophr. 1
Elias 1
Felix 1
Frank 1
Fredrick 1
Hny. 1
Jim 1
Jos. 1
Joseph 1
Orlando 1
Paul 1
Percival 1
Reginald 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Silas 1
Stanley 1
Sydney 1
Theophilus 1
Thos. 1
W.J. 1

FAQ

Gaylard surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gaylard surname in 1881?

In 1881, 240 people were recorded with the Gaylard surname. That placed it at #11,410 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gaylard surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 462 in 2016. That gives Gaylard a modern rank of #10,607.

What does the Gaylard surname mean?

A surname derived from old French meaning "merry lad" or "joyful youth".

What does the Gaylard map show?

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