NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilman

A surname of Old English origin referring to a servant or follower of a man named Gill or Gilbert.

In the 1881 census there were 894 people recorded with the Gilman surname, ranking it #4,259 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 966, ranked #5,955, down from #4,259 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Leek, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Bingham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilman is 1,100 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8.1%.

1881 census count

894

Ranked #4,259

Modern count

966

2016, ranked #5,955

Peak year

1911

1,100 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilman had 894 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,259 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 966 in 2016, ranked #5,955.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,100 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gilman surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilman surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilman 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 631 #4,113
1861 historical 658 #4,075
1881 historical 894 #4,259
1891 historical 888 #4,636
1901 historical 1,055 #4,553
1911 historical 1,100 #4,221
1997 modern 958 #5,678
1998 modern 1,022 #5,579
1999 modern 1,031 #5,575
2000 modern 1,014 #5,614
2001 modern 977 #5,681
2002 modern 992 #5,732
2003 modern 984 #5,662
2004 modern 983 #5,675
2005 modern 938 #5,837
2006 modern 927 #5,900
2007 modern 926 #5,961
2008 modern 941 #5,926
2009 modern 943 #6,032
2010 modern 940 #6,167
2011 modern 970 #5,958
2012 modern 963 #5,914
2013 modern 984 #5,902
2014 modern 976 #5,971
2015 modern 969 #5,966
2016 modern 966 #5,955

Geography

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Where Gilmans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Leek, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Bingham, Sheen and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales. 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 Leek Staffordshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 Bingham Nottinghamshire
4 Sheen Staffordshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 High Peak 010 High Peak
2 Staffordshire Moorlands 007 Staffordshire Moorlands
3 Derbyshire Dales 006 Derbyshire Dales
4 Staffordshire Moorlands 001 Staffordshire Moorlands
5 High Peak 013 High Peak

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilman

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gilman

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gilman 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

Gilman 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

Gilman falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gilman is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gilman

The surname Gilman originated in England, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be a variant of the name Gillman, derived from the Old English personal name Gilla, meaning "servant." The suffix "man" was commonly added to such names during that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gilman name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gilleman." This historical record suggests that individuals bearing this surname were present in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded in various forms, including Gilman, Gillman, and Gylman. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and spellings used at the time. The surname was particularly prevalent in counties like Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

Gilman is also associated with several place names in England, such as Gilmanby in Yorkshire and Gilmanroad in Norfolk. These locations may have influenced the development and spread of the surname within their respective regions.

One notable bearer of the Gilman name was John Gilman (c. 1565-1638), an English clergyman and one of the earliest settlers of Hingham, Massachusetts. He played a significant role in the establishment of the Puritan colony in New England.

Another prominent figure was Samuel Gilman (1698-1787), a colonial leader and merchant from Exeter, New Hampshire. He served as a member of the Provincial Congress and was involved in the American Revolutionary War.

In literature, Arthur Gilman (1837-1909) was a renowned American author and poet, best known for his works "The Story of Boston" and "The Story of Rome."

The Gilman surname also graced the field of academia with Daniel Coit Gilman (1831-1908), an American educator and the first president of Johns Hopkins University. His contributions to higher education were instrumental in shaping the modern research university model.

Finally, Laura Gilman (born 1967) is a contemporary American author of fantasy and science fiction novels, including the Vineart War and Paranormal Scene Investigations series.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the Gilman surname throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence across various walks of life.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gilman families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilman 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 161 Gilmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.55x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 161 1.55x
Derbyshire 119 8.70x
Staffordshire 119 4.03x
Middlesex 72 0.82x
Warwickshire 43 1.95x
Nottinghamshire 36 3.06x
Yorkshire 35 0.40x
Essex 34 1.97x
Kent 33 1.11x
Cheshire 31 1.61x
Suffolk 29 2.72x
Norfolk 20 1.49x
Surrey 20 0.47x
Flintshire 16 6.81x
Lanarkshire 16 0.57x
Glamorgan 14 0.92x
Gloucestershire 9 0.53x
Buckinghamshire 8 1.51x
Hampshire 8 0.45x
Oxfordshire 8 1.48x
Somerset 7 0.50x
Berkshire 6 0.91x
Northamptonshire 6 0.73x
Dorset 5 0.87x
Cumberland 4 0.53x
Durham 4 0.15x
Fife 4 0.77x
Herefordshire 4 1.12x
Sussex 4 0.27x
Wiltshire 4 0.52x
Ayrshire 3 0.46x
Channel Islands 2 0.77x
Cornwall 2 0.20x
Denbighshire 2 0.61x
Northumberland 2 0.15x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.18x
Clackmannanshire 1 1.39x
Hertfordshire 1 0.17x
Lincolnshire 1 0.07x
Midlothian 1 0.09x
Westmorland 1 0.52x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chorley in Lancashire leads with 41 Gilmans recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.45x.

Place Total Index
Chorley 41 70.45x
Stoke Upon Trent 27 8.63x
Leek Lowe 17 43.31x
Tottington Lower End 17 34.50x
West Ham 17 4.46x
Holywell 16 54.24x
Nottingham St Mary 16 5.25x
Sheen 16 1280.00x
Aston 15 2.47x
Barony 15 2.10x
Hadleigh 15 1071.43x
Longford 15 1200.00x
Birmingham 14 1.91x
Sutton On Hill 13 1056.91x
Islington London 12 1.42x
Salford 12 3.93x
Bingham 11 219.56x
Buxton 11 94.99x
Clifton Campville 11 474.14x
Great Bolton 11 8.01x
Westleigh 10 42.46x
Bradfield 9 26.95x
Fawfieldhead 9 476.19x
Sutton In Macclesfield 9 44.96x
Eckington 8 24.07x
Folkestone 8 13.83x
Leiston 8 109.44x
Macclesfield 8 9.33x
St Marylebone London 8 1.71x
Willington 8 519.48x
Yeaveley 8 1333.33x
Barrow In Furness 7 4.96x
Brockdish 7 538.46x
Church Gresley 7 32.15x
Manchester 7 1.50x
Middleton 7 503.60x
Nether Hallam 7 5.97x
Oxford St Michael 7 312.50x
Paddington London 7 2.18x
Stockport 7 7.05x
Sutton 7 20.13x
Titteworth 7 154.53x
Wath On Dearne 7 40.51x
Ystradyfodwg 7 5.24x
Boylestone 6 895.52x
Derby St Werburgh 6 7.59x
Hoxne 6 198.68x
Litherland 6 27.68x
Llandaff 6 11.85x
Longnor 6 375.00x
Nowton 6 1111.11x
St Pancras London 6 0.85x
Wellingborough 6 14.52x
Wouldham 6 158.31x
Ardwick 5 5.34x
Corfe Castle 5 93.99x
Deptford St Paul 5 2.17x
Kirkdale 5 2.87x
Lambourn 5 76.92x
Lyncombe Widcombe 5 13.57x
Mendham 5 221.24x
Newington 5 1.55x
Newton 5 6.26x
Newton In Makerfield 5 15.74x
Normanton 5 43.25x
Oldham 5 1.49x
Repton 5 96.71x
Snenton 5 10.80x
Warrington 5 4.07x
Wetton 5 510.20x
Calverley Cum Farsley 4 16.27x
Clapham 4 3.66x
Kington 4 45.10x
Little Marlow 4 136.99x
Littleover 4 172.41x
Mile End Old Town London 4 2.15x
Rodsley 4 975.61x
Shirley 4 547.95x
Southampton St Mary 4 3.55x
Stansfield 4 322.58x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 52
William 43
Thomas 39
George 37
James 28
Joseph 26
Charles 23
Henry 21
Robert 17
Arthur 14
Frederick 9
Herbert 9
Samuel 9
Richard 7
Edward 5
Edwin 5
Francis 5
Frank 5
Harry 5
Albert 4
Alfred 4
Daniel 3
Ellis 3
Ernest 3
Fredrick 3
Walter 3
David 2
Fred 2
Isaac 2
Percy 2
Robt. 2
Thos. 2
Willm. 2
Alexander 1
Aurthur 1
Bowman 1
Clarence 1
Earnst 1
Edmund 1
Frederic 1
Fredk. 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Gwillim 1
Jas. 1
Jno. 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Ralph 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Gilman surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilman surname in 1881?

In 1881, 894 people were recorded with the Gilman surname. That placed it at #4,259 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilman surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 966 in 2016. That gives Gilman a modern rank of #5,955.

What does the Gilman surname mean?

A surname of Old English origin referring to a servant or follower of a man named Gill or Gilbert.

What does the Gilman map show?

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