NameCensus.

UK surname

Gillette

A French locational surname referring to someone living near a small creek or ravine.

In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Gillette surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 109, ranked #29,402, up from #32,243 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lambeth, Bridgend and Cheshire West and Chester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gillette is 117 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 990.0%.

1881 census count

10

Ranked #32,243

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

1999

117 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gillette had 10 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,243 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 20 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Gillette surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gillette surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gillette 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1881 historical 10 #32,243
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 20 #31,288
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 113 #25,731
1999 modern 117 #25,362
2000 modern 112 #25,978
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 112 #26,165
2003 modern 107 #26,617
2004 modern 107 #26,899
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 96 #28,946
2007 modern 99 #28,852
2008 modern 98 #29,355
2009 modern 102 #29,286
2010 modern 112 #28,336
2011 modern 106 #29,157
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Gillettes 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 Lambeth, Bridgend, Cheshire West and Chester and Eastbourne. 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 Lambeth 032 Lambeth
2 Bridgend 015 Bridgend
3 Lambeth 029 Lambeth
4 Cheshire West and Chester 043 Cheshire West and Chester
5 Eastbourne 011 Eastbourne

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gillette

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gillette

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Gillette surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Gillette 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Gillette 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

Gillette is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gillette 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 Gillette 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 Gillette, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Gillette

The surname Gillette originated in France, specifically in the Normandy region, and dates back to the early Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "gillette," which means "little gill" or "small ravine." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived near a small ravine or valley.

The name Gillette first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landowners in England after the Norman Conquest. This indicates that individuals bearing this surname were among the Norman settlers who accompanied William the Conqueror to England in the 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gillette was in the 12th century, when a man named Robert Gillette was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1166. This document recorded financial transactions and administrative matters in medieval England.

During the 13th century, the name Gillette was found in various locations across Normandy, such as in the village of Gillette near Rouen. This suggests that the name was well-established in the region and may have originated from a place name.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure named John Gillette was recorded as being a member of the English Parliament in 1358. He represented the county of Lincolnshire, indicating that the name had spread and become well-established in England by that time.

Another notable individual with the surname Gillette was Jacques Gillette, a French merchant and explorer who lived in the late 16th century. He is believed to have been one of the first Europeans to establish trade relationships with the indigenous peoples of Canada.

In the 17th century, the name Gillette appeared in various records in New England, indicating that individuals bearing this surname were among the early settlers in the American colonies. One such person was Jonathan Gillette, who was born in 1636 in Windsor, Connecticut, and was a prominent figure in the local community.

During the 18th century, the surname Gillette was found in various parts of Europe, including France, England, and Germany. One notable individual was Jean-Baptiste Gillette, a French painter and engraver who lived from 1751 to 1827 and was known for his portraiture and historical paintings.

Throughout the 19th century, the surname Gillette continued to be prominent in various regions, including the United States and Europe. One famous individual was William Gillette, an American actor and playwright who was born in 1853 and is best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gillette families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gillette 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 4 Gillettes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.47x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 4 3.47x
Berkshire 2 27.40x
Kent 2 6.03x
Durham 1 3.46x
Norfolk 1 6.68x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oldham in Lancashire leads with 4 Gillettes recorded in 1881 and an index of 107.24x.

Place Total Index
Oldham 4 107.24x
Earley 2 1666.67x
Chatham 1 109.89x
Great Yarmouth 1 80.65x
Houghton Le Spring 1 500.00x
Minster In Sheppey 1 181.82x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 3
Elizabeth 2
Ellen 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 2
Edward 1
James 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 Gillette households.

FAQ

Gillette surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gillette surname in 1881?

In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Gillette surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gillette surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Gillette a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Gillette surname mean?

A French locational surname referring to someone living near a small creek or ravine.

What does the Gillette map show?

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