NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilling

A locational surname denoting someone from the town of Gilling in Yorkshire or other places so named.

In the 1881 census there were 526 people recorded with the Gilling surname, ranking it #6,513 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 512, ranked #9,823, down from #6,513 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Worksop, London parishes and Cheddar, Nyland with Batcombe, Rodney Stoke. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, County Durham and Calderdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilling is 685 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.7%.

1881 census count

526

Ranked #6,513

Modern count

512

2016, ranked #9,823

Peak year

1911

685 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilling had 526 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,513 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 512 in 2016, ranked #9,823.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 685 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gilling surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilling surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilling 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 390 #6,155
1861 historical 474 #5,489
1881 historical 526 #6,513
1891 historical 642 #6,044
1901 historical 606 #7,017
1911 historical 685 #6,182
1997 modern 536 #8,837
1998 modern 548 #8,960
1999 modern 554 #8,929
2000 modern 558 #8,841
2001 modern 538 #8,950
2002 modern 528 #9,266
2003 modern 514 #9,299
2004 modern 514 #9,327
2005 modern 496 #9,499
2006 modern 506 #9,399
2007 modern 504 #9,508
2008 modern 502 #9,601
2009 modern 508 #9,733
2010 modern 516 #9,808
2011 modern 531 #9,524
2012 modern 530 #9,445
2013 modern 531 #9,597
2014 modern 541 #9,517
2015 modern 517 #9,777
2016 modern 512 #9,823

Geography

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Where Gillings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Worksop, London parishes, Cheddar, Nyland with Batcombe, Rodney Stoke and Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, County Durham, Calderdale and Stockton-on-Tees. 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 Worksop Nottinghamshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 Cheddar, Nyland with Batcombe, Rodney Stoke Somerset
4 London parishes London 3
5 Mark, Chapel Allerton, Weare, East Brent, South Brent Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 070 Cornwall
2 County Durham 032 County Durham
3 Calderdale 020 Calderdale
4 Stockton-on-Tees 003 Stockton-on-Tees
5 County Durham 043 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilling

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gilling

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gilling is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gilling is most concentrated in decile 6 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.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gilling falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gilling

The surname Gilling is believed to have originated in England, tracing its roots back to the Anglo-Saxon era. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "gylling," which means a small stream or rivulet. This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a small stream or river.

One of the earliest known records of the name Gilling can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Gyllinges," indicating that it was already in use during the 11th century.

Throughout the centuries, the name has undergone various spelling variations, including Gylling, Gilling, and Gillings. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the evolving nature of the English language.

In terms of place names associated with the surname, there are several villages and towns in England that bear the name Gilling, such as Gilling East and Gilling West in North Yorkshire, and Gilling in Cambridgeshire. These place names likely originated from the same Old English word as the surname, further reinforcing the connection between the name and its geographical roots.

Notable individuals with the surname Gilling throughout history include:

1. Sir Nehemiah Gilling (1560-1633), an English merchant and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. 2. John Gilling (1667-1721), an English clergyman and writer who served as the Rector of Hackney in London. 3. William Gilling (1785-1857), a British architect known for his work on several churches and public buildings in London. 4. Sir Alfred Gilling (1888-1972), a British civil engineer and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of the automotive industry. 5. Terry Gilling (1937-2023), an English film and television director best known for his work on several horror and science fiction productions in the 1970s and 1980s.

While the surname Gilling may have evolved over time and spread across different regions, its origins can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England, where it was likely associated with individuals who lived near small streams or rivulets.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gilling families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilling 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. Yorkshire leads with 129 Gillings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.54x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 129 2.54x
Middlesex 102 1.99x
Somerset 81 9.81x
Nottinghamshire 33 4.77x
Lancashire 30 0.49x
Kent 20 1.14x
Gloucestershire 18 1.79x
Surrey 14 0.56x
Essex 13 1.28x
Derbyshire 12 1.49x
Durham 11 0.72x
Warwickshire 11 0.85x
Suffolk 9 1.44x
Sussex 8 0.92x
Cheshire 7 0.62x
Norfolk 6 0.76x
Wiltshire 6 1.32x
Leicestershire 4 0.70x
Dorset 2 0.59x
Northamptonshire 2 0.41x
Northumberland 2 0.26x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.32x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.48x
Cornwall 1 0.17x
Devon 1 0.09x
Glamorgan 1 0.11x
Hampshire 1 0.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Worksop in Nottinghamshire leads with 26 Gillings recorded in 1881 and an index of 126.77x.

Place Total Index
Worksop 26 126.77x
Sowerby In Thirsk 20 653.59x
Kensington London 19 6.66x
Cheddar 18 432.69x
Liverpool 16 4.33x
Hammersmith London 15 11.87x
Kimberworth 12 42.52x
Leeds 10 3.48x
Toxteth Park 10 4.85x
Bridgewater 9 40.14x
Clifton 9 17.69x
Lewisham 9 9.64x
Limehouse London 8 14.20x
Oulton 8 379.15x
Rotherham 8 27.91x
Wrington 8 288.81x
Altrincham 7 35.37x
Battersea 7 3.71x
Blagdon 7 402.30x
Ecclesall Bierlow 7 6.77x
Eltham 7 68.23x
Gate Fulford 7 58.97x
Hampstead London 7 8.76x
Islington London 7 1.41x
Lockwood 7 38.27x
Nether Hallam 7 10.18x
Normanton 7 103.24x
Ordsall 7 132.08x
Poplar London 7 7.23x
Saffron Walden 7 65.42x
Sheffield 7 4.32x
Great Yarmouth 6 9.18x
Highworth 6 103.45x
Mark 6 310.88x
Rugby 6 34.27x
Shotton 6 159.15x
St Luke London 6 7.29x
Bedminster 5 6.44x
Berrow 5 641.03x
Brighton 5 2.86x
Derby St Peter 5 19.54x
Laughton En Le Morthen 5 427.35x
Tottenham 5 6.12x
Bethnal Green London 4 1.79x
Brightside Bierlow 4 4.01x
Bristol St George 4 8.59x
Churchill 4 303.03x
Foleshill 4 29.39x
Heeley 4 25.89x
Huddersfield 4 5.40x
Southcoates 4 14.17x
Wanstead 4 22.55x
Burnham 3 47.62x
Burrington 3 375.00x
Cheltenham 3 3.86x
Hemington 3 291.26x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.75x
New Shoreham 3 57.92x
Scriven Cum Tentergate 3 159.57x
St Botolph Bishopsgate 3 41.32x
St Katherine Creechurch 3 340.91x
Batheaston 2 70.67x
Framwellgate 2 22.12x
Gloucester St John Baptist 2 30.77x
Holy Trinity 2 1.64x
Hornsey 2 3.08x
Leicester St Leonard 2 37.17x
Lyme Regis 2 49.63x
Nettlecombe 2 384.62x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 5.05x
Reigate Foreign 2 7.39x
Richmond 2 25.19x
Ripon 2 16.95x
South Mimms 2 28.41x
St George Bloomsbury 2 6.79x
West Derby 2 1.12x
Westminster St John 2 3.20x
Willesden 2 4.14x
Chapel Allerton 1 227.27x
Stockton On Tees 1 1.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Sarah 20
Elizabeth 18
Emma 15
Alice 14
Annie 13
Jane 13
Ann 10
Florence 9
Ellen 8
Louisa 8
Emily 7
Edith 5
Kate 5
Susan 5
Charlotte 4
Margaret 4
Martha 4
Ada 3
Agnes 3
Catherine 3
Lucy 3
Anna 2
Caroline 2
Eliza 2
Fanny 2
Frances 2
Harriett 2
Henrietta 2
Isabella 2
Laura 2
Lilly 2
Maria 2
Matilda 2
Rosina 2
Selina 2
Susanah 2
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Bridget 1
Emille 1
Esther 1
Ethel 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kathleen 1
Lillie 1
Lizzie 1
Loretta 1
Zebra 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 32
William 26
George 23
Thomas 19
Charles 16
Henry 12
Robert 12
Joseph 10
Edward 8
Samuel 7
Arthur 6
Frank 6
James 6
Frederick 5
Richard 5
Alfred 4
Herbert 4
Albert 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Percy 3
Walter 3
Fred 2
Syamy 2
Aubrey 1
Augustas 1
Bertie 1
Chas. 1
Chas.T. 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Earnest 1
Eawe 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Geoffrey 1
Gilbert 1
Harry 1
J.H. 1
Jas.Edwd. 1
Lawson 1
Lionel 1
Marsden 1
Oliver 1
Oscar 1
Remington 1
Reveone 1
Roger 1
Simon 1
Sydney 1

FAQ

Gilling surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilling surname in 1881?

In 1881, 526 people were recorded with the Gilling surname. That placed it at #6,513 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilling surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 512 in 2016. That gives Gilling a modern rank of #9,823.

What does the Gilling surname mean?

A locational surname denoting someone from the town of Gilling in Yorkshire or other places so named.

What does the Gilling map show?

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