NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilbride

A surname derived from the Irish Gaelic "giollabrìde," meaning "servant or devotee of Saint Brigid."

In the 1881 census there were 46 people recorded with the Gilbride surname, ranking it #27,188 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 306, ranked #14,543, up from #27,188 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, Hunter's Quay and Aberdour and Auchtertool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilbride is 314 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 565.2%.

1881 census count

46

Ranked #27,188

Modern count

306

2016, ranked #14,543

Peak year

2013

314 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilbride had 46 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,188 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016, ranked #14,543.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Gilbride surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilbride surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilbride 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 38 #26,502
1861 historical 34 #29,685
1881 historical 46 #27,188
1891 historical 67 #28,424
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 57 #27,099
1997 modern 240 #15,678
1998 modern 265 #15,087
1999 modern 270 #14,992
2000 modern 260 #15,360
2001 modern 257 #15,236
2002 modern 262 #15,327
2003 modern 257 #15,341
2004 modern 248 #15,779
2005 modern 258 #15,323
2006 modern 265 #15,126
2007 modern 276 #14,855
2008 modern 277 #14,940
2009 modern 281 #15,098
2010 modern 292 #15,018
2011 modern 294 #14,798
2012 modern 294 #14,705
2013 modern 314 #14,273
2014 modern 312 #14,430
2015 modern 311 #14,369
2016 modern 306 #14,543

Geography

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Where Gilbrides 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 Doncaster, Hunter's Quay, Aberdour and Auchtertool, Telford and Wrekin and County Durham. 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 Doncaster 036 Doncaster
2 Hunter's Quay Argyll and Bute
3 Aberdour and Auchtertool Fife
4 Telford and Wrekin 010 Telford and Wrekin
5 County Durham 035 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilbride

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gilbride

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Gilbride surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Gilbride household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Gilbride is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Gilbride is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gilbride 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 Gilbride is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Gilbride

The surname Gilbride originated in Ireland, emerging in the medieval period around the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic personal name "Giolla Bhridhe," which translates to "servant of St. Brigid," the revered Irish saint and patron of many places in Ireland. The name was initially borne by those devoted to St. Brigid or associated with her religious institutions.

This surname is found in early Irish records and manuscripts, particularly in areas where St. Brigid's influence was strong, such as Kildare, Meath, and Westmeath. The earliest known spelling variation of the name was "Giolla Bride," which later evolved into "Gilbride" and other similar forms.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Gilbride can be traced back to Domhnall Ó Gilbride, a notable Irish scribe and scholar who lived in the 13th century. He was renowned for his work in transcribing and preserving ancient Irish manuscripts.

In the 16th century, the Gilbride family held significant land and influence in County Westmeath, particularly in the areas of Killucan and Rathconrath. Edmond Gilbride, born in 1520, was a prominent figure in the region and played a role in local politics and affairs.

Another notable figure with this surname was Brian Gilbride, a 17th-century Irish poet and playwright. He was born in County Meath around 1640 and is best known for his satirical works that commented on the political and social issues of his time.

In the 18th century, Niall Gilbride (1720-1795) was a respected Irish scholar and historian who documented the genealogies and histories of various Irish families and clans, contributing significantly to the preservation of Irish cultural heritage.

Moving into the 19th century, Thomas Gilbride (1807-1879) was an Irish-born American Catholic priest who served in several dioceses across the United States. He played a significant role in establishing and supporting Catholic institutions in the country.

Throughout history, the surname Gilbride has maintained its Irish roots and connections to the reverence for St. Brigid, reflecting the deep cultural and religious significance of this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gilbride families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilbride 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. Lancashire leads with 12 Gilbrides recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.25x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 12 2.25x
Cheshire 11 11.10x
Midlothian 10 16.64x
Renfrewshire 4 11.50x
Yorkshire 4 0.90x
Durham 2 1.50x
Argyllshire 1 8.01x
Derbyshire 1 1.42x
Staffordshire 1 0.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Blackburn in Lancashire leads with 7 Gilbrides recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.40x.

Place Total Index
Blackburn 7 49.40x
South Leith 6 88.76x
Macclesfield 5 113.64x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 4 16.54x
Middle Greenock 4 421.05x
Chester St Oswald 3 167.60x
Great Boughton 3 882.35x
Darlington 2 38.84x
Huddersfield 2 30.86x
Liverpool 2 6.18x
Glossop Dale 1 30.40x
Kilninian Kilmore 1 263.16x
Leeds 1 3.98x
Manchester 1 4.18x
North Meols 1 19.19x
Sherburn 1 270.27x
Spotland 1 16.89x
Stone 1 51.55x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Ann 2
Annie 2
Margaret 2
Rose 2
Anne 1
Bridget 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Ellenor 1
Maria 1
Rebecca 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Patrick 2
Andrew 1
Bernard 1
David 1
James 1
Jas. 1
John 1
Pat 1
Thomas 1
Thos. 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 Gilbride households.

FAQ

Gilbride surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilbride surname in 1881?

In 1881, 46 people were recorded with the Gilbride surname. That placed it at #27,188 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilbride surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 306 in 2016. That gives Gilbride a modern rank of #14,543.

What does the Gilbride surname mean?

A surname derived from the Irish Gaelic "giollabrìde," meaning "servant or devotee of Saint Brigid."

What does the Gilbride map show?

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