UK surname
A locative surname derived from a place name containing the Middle High German element "gilt" meaning "land payment."
In the 1881 census there were 56 people recorded with the Gilden surname, ranking it #25,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 60, ranked #34,340, down from #25,733 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Farnham Royal and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilden is 130 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 7.1%.
1881 census count
56
Ranked #25,733
Modern count
60
2016, ranked #34,340
Peak year
1891
130 bearers
Map years
3
1861 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Gilden surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Gilden surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 63 | #22,069 |
| 1861 | historical | 119 | #18,393 |
| 1881 | historical | 56 | #25,733 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 72 | #26,162 |
| 1911 | historical | 115 | #20,951 |
| 1997 | modern | 69 | #30,712 |
| 1998 | modern | 74 | #30,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 71 | #31,036 |
| 2000 | modern | 64 | #31,735 |
| 2001 | modern | 63 | #31,693 |
| 2002 | modern | 60 | #32,388 |
| 2003 | modern | 63 | #32,152 |
| 2004 | modern | 65 | #32,177 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 64 | #32,839 |
| 2007 | modern | 71 | #32,484 |
| 2008 | modern | 73 | #32,555 |
| 2009 | modern | 63 | #33,751 |
| 2010 | modern | 61 | #34,143 |
| 2011 | modern | 52 | #34,688 |
| 2012 | modern | 48 | #34,938 |
| 2013 | modern | 64 | #34,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 65 | #34,082 |
| 2015 | modern | 60 | #34,361 |
| 2016 | modern | 60 | #34,340 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Farnham Royal, Manchester, Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh and Hawkinge, Folkestone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Farnham Royal | Buckinghamshire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Hythe St Leonard, Cheriton, Newington, Saltwood, West Hythe, Burmarsh | Kent |
| 5 | Hawkinge, Folkestone | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Gilden surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gilden, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Gilden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Gilden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Gilden is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gilden is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Gilden, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Gilden is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be an Anglo-Saxon name derived from the Old English words "gylden" or "gylde," meaning "golden" or "gilded." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone with golden or fair hair or possibly a goldsmith or someone involved in the production or trade of gold.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gilden can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Gildenus" in this historical record.
In the 13th century, there are records of a John Gilden who was a landowner and nobleman in the county of Suffolk, England. His descendants continued to use the surname Gilden and were prominent members of the local gentry for several generations.
During the 16th century, the Gilden surname was particularly common in the counties of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Notable individuals from this era include Sir Thomas Gilden (1515-1585), a member of Parliament and wealthy landowner in Hertfordshire, and William Gilden (1548-1611), a prominent merchant and alderman in the town of Bedford.
In the 17th century, the spelling variations of the name included Gilden, Gylden, Gyldene, and Gildene. One notable figure was Robert Gilden (1623-1684), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of St. Leonard's Church in Shoreditch, London.
The 18th century saw the Gilden family spread to other parts of England and even to the American colonies. One notable individual was Samuel Gilden (1734-1812), a British soldier and explorer who served in the American Revolutionary War and later became a surveyor and cartographer in Canada.
In the 19th century, the Gilden surname continued to be found primarily in England, with some families also residing in Scotland and Ireland. One notable figure was Mary Gilden (1865-1940), a British artist and painter known for her landscapes and portraits.
Throughout its history, the surname Gilden has been associated with various professions and social classes, from landowners and merchants to clergymen and artists. While not one of the most common surnames, it has left a notable footprint in the historical records of England and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilden surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 10 Gildens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.80x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 10 | 1.80x |
| Kent | 9 | 4.74x |
| Devon | 6 | 5.18x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 2.78x |
| Norfolk | 5 | 5.85x |
| Sussex | 4 | 4.27x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.81x |
| Leicestershire | 3 | 4.87x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 2.75x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.36x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.91x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.88x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.15x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.91x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 15.11x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.48x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.37x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 2.03x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Folkestone in Kent leads with 8 Gildens recorded in 1881 and an index of 217.39x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Folkestone | 8 | 217.39x |
| Govan | 5 | 11.24x |
| Bethnal Green London | 4 | 16.56x |
| Bottesford | 3 | 1200.00x |
| Lingwood | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Stranton | 3 | 53.86x |
| Brighton | 2 | 10.58x |
| Bromsgrove | 2 | 81.97x |
| East Stonehouse | 2 | 87.72x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 6.47x |
| Preston | 2 | 121.95x |
| Tormoham | 2 | 40.82x |
| Acton | 1 | 30.67x |
| Beccles | 1 | 91.74x |
| Bradford | 1 | 7.50x |
| Catton | 1 | 714.29x |
| Denver | 1 | 625.00x |
| Deptford St Paul | 1 | 6.84x |
| Haslingden | 1 | 36.63x |
| Highweek | 1 | 243.90x |
| Hornsey | 1 | 14.22x |
| Huddersfield | 1 | 12.45x |
| Lavington West | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 1 | 8.45x |
| Oundle | 1 | 172.41x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 4.89x |
| Powderham | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 17.67x |
| St Michael Winchester | 1 | 434.78x |
| Walton On Thames | 1 | 80.65x |
| Wanstead | 1 | 52.08x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gilden surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gilden surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Gilden households.
FAQ
In 1881, 56 people were recorded with the Gilden surname. That placed it at #25,733 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 60 in 2016. That gives Gilden a modern rank of #34,340.
A locative surname derived from a place name containing the Middle High German element "gilt" meaning "land payment."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gilden bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.