NameCensus.

UK surname

Gilston

In the 1881 census there were 81 people recorded with the Gilston surname, ranking it #22,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 146, ranked #24,173, down from #22,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolton, Three Rivers and Gatehouse.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gilston is 146 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.2%.

1881 census count

81

Ranked #22,082

Modern count

146

2016, ranked #24,173

Peak year

2016

146 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gilston had 81 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016, ranked #24,173.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 90 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Gilston surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gilston surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gilston 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 45 #25,168
1861 historical 90 #22,312
1881 historical 81 #22,082
1891 historical 83 #26,376
1901 historical 89 #24,154
1911 historical 53 #27,508
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 108 #26,417
1999 modern 113 #25,913
2000 modern 109 #26,381
2001 modern 106 #26,468
2002 modern 118 #25,358
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 118 #25,317
2005 modern 117 #25,433
2006 modern 122 #25,010
2007 modern 121 #25,469
2008 modern 121 #25,785
2009 modern 129 #25,314
2010 modern 139 #24,688
2011 modern 140 #24,395
2012 modern 135 #24,952
2013 modern 140 #24,779
2014 modern 145 #24,395
2015 modern 145 #24,246
2016 modern 146 #24,173

Geography

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Where Gilstons 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 Bolton, Three Rivers, Gatehouse, Chorley and Liverpool. 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 Bolton 014 Bolton
2 Three Rivers 005 Three Rivers
3 Gatehouse Dumfries and Galloway
4 Chorley 011 Chorley
5 Liverpool 021 Liverpool

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gilston

These lists show first names that appear often with the Gilston 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 Gilston

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Gilston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Gilston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Gilston is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gilston is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

1881 census detail

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Gilston families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gilston 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 26 Gilstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.92x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 26 2.92x
Kirkcudbrightshire 17 156.39x
Yorkshire 16 2.15x
Durham 9 4.03x
Lanarkshire 6 2.47x
Fife 2 4.50x
Staffordshire 1 0.39x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Little Bolton in Lancashire leads with 17 Gilstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 148.34x.

Place Total Index
Little Bolton 17 148.34x
Parton 13 7222.22x
Bishopwearmouth 9 46.92x
Leeds 9 21.41x
Barrow In Furness 6 49.51x
Barony 5 8.13x
Hunslet 5 43.07x
Kelton 4 449.44x
Carnock 2 740.74x
Spennithorne 2 4000.00x
Govan 1 1.66x
Heaton Norris 1 19.72x
Manchester 1 2.50x
Preston 1 4.19x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 3.72x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 3
Agnes 2
Ann 2
Jane 2
Maria 2
Mary 2
Alice 1
Alosephine 1
Amelia 1
Anna 1
Anne 1
Charlotte 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Esther 1
Lizzie 1
Maggie 1
Marcella 1
Margery 1
Margret 1
Marie 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Henry 4
William 3
Bernard 2
John 2
Thomas 2
Angelina 1
Arthur 1
David 1
Francis 1
George 1
James 1
Jas. 1
Joseph 1
Peter 1

FAQ

Gilston surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gilston surname in 1881?

In 1881, 81 people were recorded with the Gilston surname. That placed it at #22,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gilston surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 146 in 2016. That gives Gilston a modern rank of #24,173.

What does the Gilston map show?

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