NameCensus.

UK surname

Gildart

A surname derived from the Old French "gile" meaning "cunning" or "guile".

In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Gildart surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 90, ranked #32,202, down from #24,561 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Darlington and North Meols. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan and Wiltshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gildart is 117 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.6%.

1881 census count

64

Ranked #24,561

Modern count

90

2016, ranked #32,202

Peak year

1891

117 bearers

Map years

1

1891 to 1891

Key insights

  • Gildart had 64 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,561 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 90 in 2016, ranked #32,202.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 117 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Small Town Suburbia.

Gildart surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gildart surname density by area, 1891 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gildart 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 50 #24,274
1861 historical 88 #22,554
1881 historical 64 #24,561
1891 historical 117 #21,658
1901 historical 71 #26,277
1911 historical 62 #26,622
1997 modern 87 #28,749
1998 modern 88 #29,131
1999 modern 91 #28,937
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 88 #29,056
2002 modern 94 #28,797
2003 modern 97 #28,217
2004 modern 92 #29,197
2005 modern 86 #30,094
2006 modern 80 #31,149
2007 modern 82 #31,295
2008 modern 77 #32,181
2009 modern 82 #32,048
2010 modern 78 #32,848
2011 modern 75 #33,071
2012 modern 77 #33,124
2013 modern 82 #32,903
2014 modern 83 #32,910
2015 modern 88 #32,421
2016 modern 90 #32,202

Geography

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Where Gildarts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Darlington, North Meols, Cheddleton and Richmond. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan and Wiltshire. 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 Winwick Lancashire
2 Darlington Durham
3 North Meols Lancashire
4 Cheddleton Staffordshire
5 Richmond Yorkshire, North Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 037 Wigan
2 Wigan 031 Wigan
3 Wigan 034 Wigan
4 Wiltshire 024 Wiltshire
5 Wigan 017 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gildart

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gildart

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

Small Town Suburbia

Nationally, the Gildart surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Small Town Suburbia, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Gildart 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 is predominantly comprised of married couples with no resident dependent children, living in areas characterised neither by under-occupancy nor overcrowding throughout the UK in or adjacent to small towns. White ethnic groups and affiliation with Christianity predominates. Housing tends to be predominantly semi-detached or detached and workers are employed principally in managerial and professional occupations, with semi-skilled occupations also in evidence. These areas of the Supergroup are of higher population density.

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gildart 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

Gildart is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gildart falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gildart

The surname Gildart is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the Old English word "gyldenhyrst," which means "golden wood" or "wooded hill." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a prominent wooded area or hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gildart can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1208, where it appears as "Gildeherst." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time, reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic changes that occurred in different parts of England.

The Gildart surname has a strong connection to the county of Lancashire in northwestern England. Historical records indicate that the family held lands and properties in this region, particularly around the town of Chorley. The name is associated with several notable individuals from this area, including John Gildart (1615-1690), a prominent Quaker preacher and writer who faced persecution for his religious beliefs.

Another significant figure bearing the Gildart name was Sir John Gildart (1736-1805), a wealthy merchant and shipowner from Liverpool. He played a crucial role in establishing the city as a major trading hub and was known for his philanthropic endeavors, including the founding of the Blue Coat School for orphans.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Gildart family expanded their influence and presence across various parts of England. William Gildart (1670-1745), a successful businessman and landowner from Lancashire, left a considerable estate that was passed down through generations. His descendants included several prominent members of society, such as Richard Gildart (1738-1812), a noted lawyer and justice of the peace.

The Gildart name also has ties to the county of Yorkshire, where it appears in various historical records. One notable individual was Thomas Gildart (1818-1892), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in the region, including the Leeds Corn Exchange and the Yorkshire College of Science (now part of the University of Leeds).

Throughout its history, the Gildart surname has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, including clergymen, merchants, lawyers, architects, and landowners. While the name may have originated from a specific geographical location, it has since spread across England and beyond, carrying with it a rich cultural and historical legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gildart families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gildart 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 34 Gildarts recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.59x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 34 4.59x
Cheshire 9 6.53x
Staffordshire 6 2.85x
Durham 4 2.15x
Surrey 4 1.31x
Sussex 4 3.80x
Devon 2 1.54x
Yorkshire 1 0.16x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Meols in Lancashire leads with 17 Gildarts recorded in 1881 and an index of 234.48x.

Place Total Index
North Meols 17 234.48x
Barrow In Furness 9 89.29x
Weston In Nantwich 9 8181.82x
Little Bolton 5 52.52x
Croydon 4 23.68x
Easington 4 1481.48x
Hellingly 4 1142.86x
Mavesyn Ridware 3 3000.00x
Exeter Heavitree 2 206.19x
Samlesbury 2 1250.00x
Alrewas 1 500.00x
Hamstall Ridware 1 1250.00x
Liverpool 1 2.22x
Uttoxeter 1 92.59x
Wilton In Pickering 1 2500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 4
Mary 4
Sarah 3
Ann 2
Charlotte 2
Jane 2
Jenny 2
Kate 2
Margaret 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anna 1
Annie 1
Clarinda 1
Ella 1
Ellen 1
Ellis 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Flora 1
Lilly 1
Margery 1
Nancy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
Frederick 2
Henry 2
Isaac 2
John 2
Richard 2
... 1
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Edmund 1
Francis 1
George 1
James 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1
Wm. 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 Gildart households.

FAQ

Gildart surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gildart surname in 1881?

In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Gildart surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gildart surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 90 in 2016. That gives Gildart a modern rank of #32,202.

What does the Gildart surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French "gile" meaning "cunning" or "guile".

What does the Gildart map show?

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