NameCensus.

UK surname

Girdwood

An English topographic surname indicating someone who lived in a densely wooded area.

In the 1881 census there were 392 people recorded with the Girdwood surname, ranking it #8,080 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 466, ranked #10,542, down from #8,080 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to West Calder, Edinburgh and Muirkirk. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include West Calder and Polbeth, Hillside and Forth, Braehead and Auchengray.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Girdwood is 467 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 18.9%.

1881 census count

392

Ranked #8,080

Modern count

466

2016, ranked #10,542

Peak year

2015

467 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Girdwood had 392 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,080 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 466 in 2016, ranked #10,542.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 410 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Girdwood surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Girdwood surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Girdwood 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 262 #8,456
1861 historical 322 #7,911
1881 historical 392 #8,080
1891 historical 399 #8,898
1901 historical 410 #9,322
1911 historical 119 #20,535
1997 modern 395 #11,106
1998 modern 418 #11,009
1999 modern 424 #10,969
2000 modern 418 #11,047
2001 modern 407 #11,079
2002 modern 412 #11,192
2003 modern 404 #11,191
2004 modern 406 #11,155
2005 modern 418 #10,812
2006 modern 421 #10,798
2007 modern 429 #10,747
2008 modern 428 #10,869
2009 modern 447 #10,742
2010 modern 450 #10,915
2011 modern 464 #10,524
2012 modern 456 #10,563
2013 modern 452 #10,795
2014 modern 459 #10,731
2015 modern 467 #10,535
2016 modern 466 #10,542

Geography

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Where Girdwoods are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around West Calder, Edinburgh, Muirkirk, Glasgow and Carnwath. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to West Calder and Polbeth, Hillside, Forth, Braehead and Auchengray, Blackburn and Sunderland. 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 West Calder Edinburgh
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Muirkirk Ayr
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Carnwath Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 West Calder and Polbeth West Lothian
2 Hillside Angus
3 Forth, Braehead and Auchengray South Lanarkshire
4 Blackburn West Lothian
5 Sunderland 002 Sunderland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Girdwood

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Girdwood

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Girdwood surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Girdwood household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Girdwood 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

Girdwood is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Girdwood falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Girdwood is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Girdwood

The surname Girdwood is of English origin and is believed to have originated in the 14th century. It is a locational name derived from a place called Girdwood or Girdewood, which was located in the county of Yorkshire, England.

The name is thought to be derived from the Old English words "gyrde" meaning a "rod" or "yard" and "wudu" meaning "wood". This suggests that the original place name referred to a wooded area or forest where rods or sticks were collected.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the surname Girdwood can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, where a certain Johannes de Girdwode is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by the late 14th century.

In the 16th century, the surname appears in various records with slightly different spellings, such as Gyrdewoode and Girdewood. This was common in those times due to inconsistent spelling and regional variations.

One notable early bearer of the Girdwood surname was John Girdwood, who was born in Yorkshire in 1573. He was a merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Girdwood (1634-1701), a wealthy landowner and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire in the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, the Girdwood family established themselves in the county of Lancashire, where several members became successful industrialists and entrepreneurs during the Industrial Revolution.

One such individual was James Girdwood (1762-1838), who founded the Girdwood Cotton Mills in Manchester and became a prominent figure in the textile industry.

Another notable bearer of the Girdwood name was William Girdwood (1805-1882), a respected architect who designed several notable buildings in Liverpool, including the iconic St. George's Hall.

By the 19th century, the Girdwood surname had spread across various parts of England, with individuals bearing the name making significant contributions in various fields, such as business, politics, and the arts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Girdwood families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Girdwood 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. Lanarkshire leads with 127 Girdwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.71x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 127 10.71x
Midlothian 120 24.42x
Middlesex 29 0.79x
Ayrshire 25 9.11x
Peeblesshire 16 92.75x
Lancashire 11 0.25x
Essex 8 1.10x
Northumberland 8 1.47x
Cheshire 7 0.86x
Angus 6 1.77x
West Lothian 6 10.86x
Durham 3 0.27x
Berwickshire 2 4.50x
Dunbartonshire 2 2.03x
Fife 2 0.92x
Buteshire 1 4.50x
Kent 1 0.08x
Renfrewshire 1 0.35x
Surrey 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 73 Girdwoods recorded in 1881 and an index of 36.93x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 73 36.93x
Carluke 29 269.27x
Barony 19 6.33x
Govan 11 3.75x
Barrow In Furness 10 16.89x
Kensington London 10 4.90x
Muirkirk 10 155.04x
Ayr 9 69.44x
Bromley London 9 11.15x
Edinburgh St Andrews 9 221.67x
Edinburgh St Johns 9 290.32x
Rutherglen 8 45.98x
West Calder 8 82.64x
West Ham 8 5.00x
Bothwell 7 21.76x
Drumelzier 7 2692.31x
Elswick 7 16.07x
Biggar 6 223.88x
Carnwath 6 81.86x
Dalmellington 6 74.35x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 6 64.45x
Walston 6 1395.35x
Culter 5 694.44x
Dalziel 5 39.19x
Edinburgh Old 5 167.79x
Kirknewton East 5 243.90x
Lesmahagow 5 39.87x
Pettinain 5 1111.11x
South Leith 5 9.04x
Colinton 4 72.99x
Glasgow 4 1.90x
Hammersmith London 4 4.43x
Islington London 4 1.13x
Peebles 4 78.43x
Dalmeny 3 142.18x
Dundee 3 2.37x
Innerleithen 3 65.50x
Lanark 3 31.45x
Monifieth 3 25.00x
Old Monkland 3 6.37x
Stranton 3 8.17x
Whitburn 3 37.59x
Corstorphine 2 73.80x
Earlston 2 90.09x
Ancroft 1 52.08x
Broughton In Salford 1 2.51x
Cambusnethan 1 3.80x
Carmichael 1 102.04x
Carstairs 1 40.65x
Covington 1 178.57x
Croydon 1 1.01x
Dumbarton 1 7.29x
Kirkcaldy 1 9.29x
Libberton 1 126.58x
Liscard 1 6.85x
Newlands 1 97.09x
Paddington London 1 0.74x
Ramsgate 1 4.89x
Rothesay 1 9.29x
Row 1 7.84x
St Andrews 1 10.12x
West Greenock 1 1.96x
West Linton 1 70.92x
Westminster St James 1 2.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 6
James 5
John 5
Alexander 4
George 2
Henry 2
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Clinton 1
Daniel 1
Finlay 1
Graham 1
Harold 1
Joseph 1
Robert 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 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 Girdwood households.

FAQ

Girdwood surname: questions and answers

How common was the Girdwood surname in 1881?

In 1881, 392 people were recorded with the Girdwood surname. That placed it at #8,080 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Girdwood surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 466 in 2016. That gives Girdwood a modern rank of #10,542.

What does the Girdwood surname mean?

An English topographic surname indicating someone who lived in a densely wooded area.

What does the Girdwood map show?

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