NameCensus.

UK surname

Geach

An English surname deriving from an obsolete word meaning "a ditch or trench".

In the 1881 census there were 505 people recorded with the Geach surname, ranking it #6,730 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 517, ranked #9,761, down from #6,730 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Winnow and Budock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Geach is 616 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.4%.

1881 census count

505

Ranked #6,730

Modern count

517

2016, ranked #9,761

Peak year

1911

616 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Geach had 505 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,730 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 517 in 2016, ranked #9,761.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 616 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Geach surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Geach surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Geach 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 399 #6,051
1861 historical 376 #6,792
1881 historical 505 #6,730
1891 historical 529 #7,085
1901 historical 607 #7,011
1911 historical 616 #6,702
1997 modern 467 #9,788
1998 modern 483 #9,853
1999 modern 499 #9,674
2000 modern 510 #9,485
2001 modern 505 #9,404
2002 modern 498 #9,664
2003 modern 500 #9,481
2004 modern 494 #9,589
2005 modern 486 #9,634
2006 modern 468 #9,952
2007 modern 480 #9,860
2008 modern 470 #10,102
2009 modern 474 #10,251
2010 modern 493 #10,161
2011 modern 484 #10,194
2012 modern 503 #9,819
2013 modern 505 #9,949
2014 modern 513 #9,899
2015 modern 511 #9,864
2016 modern 517 #9,761

Geography

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Where Geachs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Winnow, Budock, St Leonard Bromley and St Austell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 London parishes London 3
2 St Winnow Cornwall
3 Budock Cornwall
4 St Leonard Bromley London (East Districts)
5 St Austell Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 028 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 024 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 008 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 049 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Geach

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Geach

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Geach, 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 Geach surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Geach 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Geach is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Geach 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

Geach 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 Geach is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Geach

The surname GEACH is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "geac," which means "cuckoo." It is a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a cuckoo's haunt or a place where the bird was frequently heard. The name has been recorded in various spellings, including Geyche, Gaich, Gach, and Getch.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname GEACH can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1195, where it appears as "Geiache." The Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273 also mention a "William Gaiche." This suggests that the name was present in different regions of England during the medieval period.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the surname GEACH was John Geach, a wealthy merchant from Bristol, who lived in the late 16th century. He was involved in the thriving trade between England and the Mediterranean regions.

In the 17th century, a family of Geaches settled in the village of Chew Magna in Somerset. Several members of this family served as churchwardens and held prominent positions in the local community. One notable figure was William Geach (1660-1726), a skilled stonemason who worked on the construction of various churches in the area.

During the 18th century, the surname GEACH was particularly prevalent in the county of Dorset. A notable individual from this period was Thomas Geach (1725-1798), a renowned clockmaker from Shaftesbury. His clocks were highly sought after and can still be found in museums and private collections.

In the 19th century, a branch of the Geach family emigrated to Australia, where they became successful farmers and landowners. One of the most prominent members was George Geach (1815-1892), who established a prosperous sheep and cattle station in the Riverina region of New South Wales.

Another notable individual with the surname GEACH was Edward Geach (1857-1919), a British artist and illustrator known for his watercolor paintings of landscapes and rural scenes. He was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists and exhibited his works regularly in London.

These are just a few examples of individuals with the surname GEACH who have made significant contributions throughout history. While the name may have humble origins, referring to the humble cuckoo bird, it has been carried by many accomplished individuals across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Geach families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Geach 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. Cornwall leads with 258 Geachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.08x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 258 46.08x
Devon 70 6.80x
Middlesex 68 1.37x
Surrey 29 1.20x
Kent 18 1.07x
Lancashire 16 0.27x
Durham 9 0.61x
Gloucestershire 9 0.93x
Cambridgeshire 7 2.23x
Glamorgan 6 0.70x
Essex 5 0.51x
Somerset 4 0.50x
Sussex 3 0.36x
Hampshire 2 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.28x
Royal Navy 1 1.70x
Staffordshire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 44 Geachs recorded in 1881 and an index of 55.49x.

Place Total Index
Plymouth St Andrew 44 55.49x
Budock 30 712.59x
St Austell 26 135.84x
Bromley London 25 22.98x
Falmouth 16 80.73x
St Columb Major 16 344.09x
Sithney 15 265.02x
St Winnow 12 625.00x
Kensington London 11 4.00x
Kenwyn 11 75.14x
Camberwell 10 3.17x
Guildford Friary 10 1315.79x
Milton In Gravesend 10 39.53x
Poplar London 10 10.71x
St Stephen In Brannel 10 195.69x
Mylor 9 240.00x
Broadoak 8 1632.65x
Crowan 8 180.18x
Lostwithel 8 503.14x
Prestwich 8 54.64x
St Stithians 8 258.90x
Stoke Damerel 8 11.10x
Tywardreath 8 222.22x
Gillingham 7 20.12x
Padstow 7 188.17x
Stapleford 7 736.84x
Talland 7 530.30x
Bethnal Green London 6 2.79x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 6.57x
Madron Penzance 6 29.47x
Collierley 5 76.34x
Lanlivery 5 212.77x
Redruth 5 31.57x
Tamerton Foliott 5 252.53x
Boconnoc 4 888.89x
Cowbridge 4 192.31x
Dovercourt 4 116.62x
Haigh 4 195.12x
Helston 4 68.73x
Lambeth 4 0.93x
Lanivet 4 229.89x
Luxulyan 4 215.05x
Perranuthnoe 4 261.44x
St Ervan 4 606.06x
St Marylebone London 4 1.51x
St Pancras London 4 1.00x
Taunton St Mary 4 27.38x
East Stonehouse 3 14.79x
Kyo 3 43.29x
Littlehampton 3 45.05x
Plymouth Charles The 3 6.62x
St George Hanover Square 3 3.44x
Wolborough 3 23.06x
Exeter St Thomas The 2 19.07x
Godshill 2 85.47x
Guildford Holy Trinity 2 43.57x
Hackney London 2 0.72x
Helland 2 606.06x
Lanteglos By Fowey 2 87.72x
Limehouse London 2 3.68x
Mawnan 2 227.27x
Roche 2 70.42x
West Derby 2 1.16x
Ystradyfodwg 2 2.65x
Abergavenny 1 7.47x
Bristol St Augustine 1 6.39x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 3.09x
Clifton 1 2.04x
Colchester Holy Trinity 1 46.08x
Hampstead London 1 1.30x
Lichfield St Michael 1 19.08x
Madron 1 22.12x
Manchester 1 0.38x
Seaton With Slingley 1 303.03x
St Ewe 1 58.82x
St Germans 1 25.58x
St Gluvias 1 31.85x
Tavistock 1 8.53x
West Looe 1 68.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Jane 16
Elizabeth 14
Emily 13
Ellen 9
Sarah 9
Eliza 8
Emma 7
Ann 5
Florence 5
Annie 4
Caroline 4
Catherine 4
Clara 4
Frances 4
Laura 4
Ada 3
Charlotte 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Mabel 3
Margaret 3
Martha 3
Rebecca 3
Susan 3
Agnes 2
Alice 2
Amy 2
Beatrice 2
Clarissa 2
E. 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
Francis 2
Harriett 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Lucinda 2
Marion 2
Thomasine 2
Amelia 1
Arabella 1
Bessie 1
Bethesda 1
Cordelia 1
Dinah 1
Dioneizia 1
Eda 1
Unno 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
John 28
George 17
Thomas 13
Charles 12
Joseph 10
Arthur 9
James 9
Edward 8
Edwin 7
Ernest 6
Francis 6
Frederick 6
Henry 6
Richard 6
Samuel 6
Alfred 5
Robert 5
Harry 3
Herbert 3
Albert 2
Benjamin 2
Enoch 2
Josephus 2
Josiah 2
Nicholas 2
Sydney 2
Cyril 1
Elias 1
Enock 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Garland 1
Harrison 1
Hender 1
Howard 1
Joel 1
Jonathon 1
Jonothan 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Matthew 1
Oswald 1
Percy 1
Phillip 1
Sellwood 1
Sidney 1
Solomon 1
Thos. 1
Titus 1

FAQ

Geach surname: questions and answers

How common was the Geach surname in 1881?

In 1881, 505 people were recorded with the Geach surname. That placed it at #6,730 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Geach surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 517 in 2016. That gives Geach a modern rank of #9,761.

What does the Geach surname mean?

An English surname deriving from an obsolete word meaning "a ditch or trench".

What does the Geach map show?

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