NameCensus.

UK surname

Gaylor

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "pleasant hill" in Old French.

In the 1881 census there were 447 people recorded with the Gaylor surname, ranking it #7,350 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 446, ranked #10,871, down from #7,350 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newport, London parishes and St Leonard Shoreditch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Central Bedfordshire, Thurrock and Stroud.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gaylor is 535 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.2%.

1881 census count

447

Ranked #7,350

Modern count

446

2016, ranked #10,871

Peak year

1998

535 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gaylor had 447 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,350 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 446 in 2016, ranked #10,871.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 478 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Gaylor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gaylor surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gaylor 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 306 #7,524
1861 historical 319 #7,987
1881 historical 447 #7,350
1891 historical 468 #7,833
1901 historical 478 #8,329
1911 historical 454 #8,445
1997 modern 528 #8,934
1998 modern 535 #9,118
1999 modern 534 #9,184
2000 modern 532 #9,181
2001 modern 510 #9,312
2002 modern 492 #9,741
2003 modern 492 #9,598
2004 modern 506 #9,437
2005 modern 467 #9,925
2006 modern 479 #9,788
2007 modern 479 #9,873
2008 modern 474 #10,040
2009 modern 482 #10,131
2010 modern 492 #10,178
2011 modern 489 #10,125
2012 modern 449 #10,675
2013 modern 461 #10,634
2014 modern 459 #10,731
2015 modern 446 #10,898
2016 modern 446 #10,871

Geography

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Where Gaylors are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newport, London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Central Bedfordshire, Thurrock, Stroud and Callander and Trossachs. 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 Newport Essex
2 London parishes London 1
3 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
4 London parishes London 3
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Central Bedfordshire 001 Central Bedfordshire
2 Central Bedfordshire 002 Central Bedfordshire
3 Thurrock 012 Thurrock
4 Stroud 007 Stroud
5 Callander and Trossachs Stirling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gaylor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gaylor

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Gaylor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gaylor household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Gaylor 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

Gaylor is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gaylor falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gaylor 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 Gaylor, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gaylor

The surname Gaylor is of English origin and is believed to have originated in the county of Yorkshire, England. It is likely derived from the Old English words "gæl," meaning "jovial" or "merry," and "dor," meaning "valley" or "dell." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived in a merry or cheerful valley.

The earliest known recorded instance of the surname Gaylor can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Yorkshire, compiled between 1273 and 1276, there is a mention of a person named William Gaylour. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

Another early reference to the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, where a John Gaylour is listed. This document, which recorded taxes paid by residents, provides valuable insight into the distribution of surnames in the region during that period.

During the 16th century, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as Gaylord, Gaylard, and Gaylour. This was a common occurrence due to the inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation before standardization became more widespread.

One notable figure from history with the surname Gaylor was Sir John Gaylor, a prominent English merchant and politician who lived from 1542 to 1612. He served as the Sheriff of London and was a member of the Parliament of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Another individual of note was Thomas Gaylor, a renowned English painter and engraver born in 1635. He is best known for his exquisite portraits and religious works, many of which can still be found in various galleries and museums across England.

In the 18th century, the surname Gaylor was associated with several clergymen and academics. One such figure was Reverend William Gaylor, who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, from 1723 to 1756.

Moving into the 19th century, there was a notable author and poet named Mary Gaylor, who was born in 1810 in Derbyshire, England. Her works, which often explored themes of nature and rural life, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime.

Lastly, in more recent history, there was a prominent English architect named Geoffrey Gaylor, born in 1892. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London and other parts of England, including the renowned St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gaylor families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gaylor 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 97 Gaylors recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.23x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 97 2.23x
Hertfordshire 69 23.01x
Surrey 45 2.12x
Bedfordshire 42 18.64x
Essex 24 2.79x
Midlothian 22 3.77x
Lanarkshire 20 1.42x
Lancashire 18 0.35x
Somerset 11 1.57x
Cambridgeshire 10 3.63x
Durham 10 0.77x
Suffolk 7 1.32x
Hampshire 6 0.67x
Kent 6 0.40x
Berkshire 5 1.53x
Gloucestershire 5 0.59x
Huntingdonshire 5 5.79x
Perthshire 5 2.56x
Roxburghshire 5 6.35x
Yorkshire 5 0.12x
Derbyshire 4 0.59x
Dorset 4 1.40x
Northamptonshire 4 0.98x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.68x
Cornwall 3 0.61x
East Lothian 3 5.21x
Lincolnshire 3 0.43x
Staffordshire 2 0.14x
Cheshire 1 0.10x
Oxfordshire 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Shoreditch London in Middlesex leads with 33 Gaylors recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.50x.

Place Total Index
Shoreditch London 33 17.50x
Great Hadham 28 1450.78x
Islington London 22 5.22x
Barony 14 3.93x
Clophill 13 787.88x
St Marylebone London 12 5.17x
Battersea 10 6.25x
Bridgewater 10 52.60x
Orsett 10 446.43x
Sandy 10 251.89x
Braughing 9 588.24x
Edinburgh St Marys 9 79.44x
Hurworth 9 396.48x
Newington 9 5.60x
Luton 8 20.51x
Biggleswade 7 94.85x
Oldham 7 4.20x
Bengeo 6 172.41x
Clapham 6 11.03x
Edinburgh New North 6 118.34x
Essendon 6 659.34x
Holy Trinity Cambridge 6 200.67x
Errol 5 138.12x
Layston 5 312.50x
Lee 5 23.20x
Newmarket St Mary 5 122.85x
Old Monkland 5 8.96x
South Leith 5 7.62x
Atherton 4 21.29x
Brixworth 4 228.57x
Brotton 4 71.05x
Camberwell 4 1.44x
Clifton 4 9.27x
Hackney London 4 1.64x
Hawick 4 22.68x
Lambeth 4 1.05x
Maulden 4 205.13x
Nottingham St Mary 4 2.64x
Saffron Walden 4 44.10x
Acton 3 11.76x
Ashton Under Lyne 3 2.66x
Belper 3 22.73x
Clerkenwell London 3 2.92x
Hornsey 3 5.45x
Huntingdon St John 3 120.00x
Little Munden 3 428.57x
Prittlewell 3 25.21x
Putney 3 15.13x
Reading St Giles 3 9.36x
Royston 3 117.65x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 3.43x
Bermondsey 2 1.54x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.06x
Brentwood 2 38.17x
Chelsea London 2 1.53x
Coton 2 416.67x
Crosby West Halton 2 1666.67x
Exning 2 74.91x
Eynesbury 2 100.00x
Hitchin 2 14.77x
Holy Rood 2 111.11x
Kensington London 2 0.83x
Little Hadham 2 157.48x
Milborne St Andrew 2 235.29x
Paddington London 2 1.25x
Padstow 2 61.16x
Prestonkirk 2 69.44x
St Andrewthe Less 2 6.35x
St George In East London 2 4.89x
Stock 2 219.78x
Wolverhampton 2 1.77x
Abingdon St Nicholas 1 109.89x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 3.51x
Chipping Barnet 1 19.08x
Edmonton 1 2.85x
Egham 1 7.69x
North Leith 1 3.71x
St Paul Covent Garden 1 22.99x
Wandsworth 1 2.39x
Welwyn 1 38.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 26
Elizabeth 24
Sarah 16
Ellen 9
Ann 8
Eliza 7
Emma 6
Annie 5
Anne 4
Emily 4
Fanny 4
Florence 4
Kate 4
Louisa 4
Susan 4
Ada 3
Alice 3
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Isabella 2
Jane 2
Julia 2
Lucy 2
Lydia 2
Margaret 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Amy 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Clara 1
Dinah 1
Elizh. 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
F.M. 1
Harriet 1
Helen 1
Henrietta 1
Lavinia 1
Letitia 1
Lilian 1
Louise 1
Lucretia 1
Margt. 1
Marie 1
Marion 1
Sussanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 32
John 20
George 17
Charles 15
Henry 13
James 12
Joseph 10
Thomas 10
Alfred 8
Edward 8
Frederick 6
Albert 5
Arthur 5
Samuel 5
Robert 4
Walter 3
Benjamin 2
Harry 2
Chas. 1
Clarence 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Edwin 1
Elizabeth 1
Ernest 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
G.D. 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Infant 1
Jas. 1
Lawrence 1
Norman 1
Percy 1
Philip 1
Sidney 1
Willie 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Gaylor surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gaylor surname in 1881?

In 1881, 447 people were recorded with the Gaylor surname. That placed it at #7,350 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gaylor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 446 in 2016. That gives Gaylor a modern rank of #10,871.

What does the Gaylor surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name meaning "pleasant hill" in Old French.

What does the Gaylor map show?

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