NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilson

A patronymic surname derived from the medieval personal name Giles, meaning "pledged" or "young goat."

In the 1881 census there were 934 people recorded with the Gilson surname, ranking it #4,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,567, ranked #3,960, up from #4,122 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Hull Holy Trinity and Kilmersdon, Holcombe, Stratton-on-the-Fosse. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Mendip and Blaenau Gwent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilson is 1,975 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.8%.

1881 census count

934

Ranked #4,122

Modern count

1,567

2016, ranked #3,960

Peak year

1911

1,975 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilson had 934 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,122 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,567 in 2016, ranked #3,960.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,975 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gilson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilson surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Gilson 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 1,045 #2,681
1861 historical 1,438 #1,975
1881 historical 934 #4,122
1891 historical 1,926 #2,393
1901 historical 1,663 #3,095
1911 historical 1,975 #2,512
1997 modern 1,610 #3,680
1998 modern 1,683 #3,666
1999 modern 1,701 #3,658
2000 modern 1,647 #3,748
2001 modern 1,593 #3,790
2002 modern 1,621 #3,799
2003 modern 1,588 #3,792
2004 modern 1,600 #3,787
2005 modern 1,559 #3,823
2006 modern 1,541 #3,859
2007 modern 1,573 #3,816
2008 modern 1,547 #3,910
2009 modern 1,576 #3,928
2010 modern 1,634 #3,884
2011 modern 1,593 #3,921
2012 modern 1,559 #3,938
2013 modern 1,585 #3,948
2014 modern 1,601 #3,937
2015 modern 1,585 #3,930
2016 modern 1,567 #3,960

Geography

Back to top

Where Gilsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Hull Holy Trinity, Kilmersdon, Holcombe, Stratton-on-the-Fosse and Cheveley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Mendip and Blaenau Gwent. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Kilmersdon, Holcombe, Stratton-on-the-Fosse Somerset
5 Cheveley Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 001 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 East Riding of Yorkshire 002 East Riding of Yorkshire
3 Mendip 002 Mendip
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 003 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Gilson

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Gilson

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

Gilson is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gilson falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gilson

The surname Gilson originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the personal name Giles, which was a popular name among early Christians. The name Giles itself is derived from the Greek name Aegidius, meaning "young goat."

Gilson is believed to have emerged as a surname in the 12th or 13th century, initially appearing as Gileson or Gillesone. It was a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Giles." The earliest known record of the surname Gilson dates back to the 13th century in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Gilson can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a William Gileson is listed as a landowner in Suffolk. This historical document provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that period.

In the 14th century, the surname Gilson appeared in various spellings, including Gilsoun, Gilleson, and Gillyson, reflecting regional variations in pronunciation and spelling practices. This diversity in spelling was common before the standardization of English orthography.

A notable figure bearing the surname Gilson was Sir Ralph Gilson, who lived in the early 15th century and served as a member of parliament for Northumberland in 1406 and 1411. He was also appointed as a tax collector for the county in 1412.

Another prominent individual with the surname Gilson was Thomas Gilson, a merchant and alderman of London, who lived in the 16th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1551 and was involved in various charitable endeavors.

In the 17th century, the Gilson family established themselves in Hertfordshire, where they owned substantial land and property. One notable member was Edward Gilson, born in 1636, who was a successful barrister and served as a Justice of the Peace.

The surname Gilson also found its way to other parts of the British Isles. In Scotland, a branch of the Gilson family settled in Ayrshire, where they were known for their involvement in agriculture and local governance.

Throughout history, the surname Gilson has been associated with various professions, including clergy, merchants, lawyers, and landowners. Despite its English origins, the name has spread to other parts of the world, carried by migration and immigration patterns.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Gilson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilson 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 113 Gilsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.26x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 113 1.26x
Essex 106 5.93x
Middlesex 77 0.85x
Somerset 76 5.21x
Surrey 63 1.43x
Lancashire 52 0.48x
Cambridgeshire 48 8.36x
Suffolk 48 4.35x
Leicestershire 28 2.79x
Hertfordshire 22 3.52x
Monmouthshire 22 3.36x
Durham 21 0.78x
Staffordshire 21 0.69x
Hampshire 20 1.08x
Huntingdonshire 18 10.00x
Cheshire 17 0.85x
Lincolnshire 17 1.17x
Gloucestershire 16 0.90x
Northamptonshire 16 1.88x
Sussex 13 0.85x
Derbyshire 12 0.85x
Midlothian 12 0.99x
Kent 10 0.32x
Warwickshire 10 0.44x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.65x
Buckinghamshire 7 1.28x
Northumberland 7 0.52x
Shropshire 7 0.89x
Stirlingshire 7 2.09x
Berwickshire 6 5.47x
Worcestershire 6 0.51x
Lanarkshire 5 0.17x
Devon 4 0.21x
Cumberland 3 0.38x
Wigtownshire 3 2.49x
Dorset 2 0.34x
Glamorgan 2 0.13x
Fife 1 0.19x
Herefordshire 1 0.27x
Oxfordshire 1 0.18x
Renfrewshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Ham in Essex leads with 26 Gilsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.58x.

Place Total Index
West Ham 26 6.58x
Kilmersdon 24 332.87x
Cheveley 17 867.35x
Lambeth 17 2.15x
Stoke Lane 15 717.70x
Bedwellty 14 12.10x
Croydon 13 5.30x
Kings Sutton 13 343.01x
North Burton 13 773.81x
Inveresk 11 33.47x
Leigh 11 176.85x
South Ockendon 11 297.30x
Halifax 10 7.59x
Ipswich St Margaret 10 26.70x
Mile End Old Town London 10 5.18x
St Pancras London 10 1.37x
Blackburn 9 3.15x
Blaxton 9 1343.28x
Holcombe 9 538.92x
Newington 9 2.69x
Stansted Mountfitchet 9 199.12x
Swaffham Prior 9 357.14x
Aberystruth 8 13.85x
Asfordby 8 479.04x
Chelsea London 8 2.93x
Ecclesall Bierlow 8 4.38x
Ipswich St Helen 8 61.16x
Leicester St Margaret 8 3.27x
St Andrewthe Less 8 12.20x
Timsbury 8 181.00x
Tipton 8 8.54x
Whittlesey St Mary St 8 39.90x
Abbots Ripton 7 573.77x
Aldershot 7 11.25x
Ashton On Mersey 7 67.70x
Battersea 7 2.10x
Bradford 7 13.91x
Chester St John Baptist 7 19.47x
Cubley 7 752.69x
Falkirk 7 8.95x
Haughton 7 44.61x
Holy Trinity 7 3.24x
Ipswich St Clement 7 24.95x
Portsea 7 1.92x
Ripton Kings 7 1228.07x
Sandridge 7 267.18x
Shenley 7 169.90x
St Marylebone London 7 1.45x
Stowmarket 7 54.86x
Wanstead 7 22.34x
Barton Upon Irwell 6 7.41x
Beckenham 6 14.84x
Burrough 6 1304.35x
Burton Upon Trent 6 8.38x
Camberwell 6 1.04x
Chilcompton 6 300.00x
Drighlington 6 45.87x
Dunkerton 6 189.87x
Dunse 6 57.64x
Forest Gate 6 241.94x
Hastings St Mary In The 6 18.40x
Islington London 6 0.68x
Kirton Simon Weir 6 405.41x
Rayleigh 6 145.63x
Southcoates 6 12.04x
St George Hanover Square 6 3.76x
Tanworth 6 99.34x
Westoe 6 3.93x
Askham Bryan 5 531.91x
Barking 5 9.55x
Bishopwearmouth 5 2.16x
Chester All Sts 5 347.22x
Clee With Weelsby 5 15.76x
Long Eaton 5 26.70x
North Mimms 5 127.23x
Pocklington 5 58.96x
Shoreditch London 5 1.27x
St Sepulchre London 5 37.68x
Walsall Foreign 5 3.16x
Winchcomb 5 56.69x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 57
John 42
James 31
Thomas 29
George 28
Charles 24
Samuel 15
Henry 13
Richard 13
Joseph 12
Robert 12
Walter 9
Alfred 7
David 7
Frederick 7
Arthur 6
Edward 6
Fredrick 6
Albert 5
Benjamin 5
Ernest 4
Wm. 4
Edwin 3
Adam 2
Daniel 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Giles 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Hugh 2
Jonathan 2
Patrick 2
Philip 2
Robt. 2
Adulphus 1
Andrew 1
Bengman 1
Benjn. 1
Bernd. 1
Edwd.Jesse 1
Ephraim 1
Fred 1
Hy.Josh. 1
Infant 1
Isaiah 1
Isaih 1
Isiah 1
Worthy 1

FAQ

Gilson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 934 people were recorded with the Gilson surname. That placed it at #4,122 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,567 in 2016. That gives Gilson a modern rank of #3,960.

What does the Gilson surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the medieval personal name Giles, meaning "pledged" or "young goat."

What does the Gilson map show?

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