NameCensus.

UK surname

Gladwin

An English surname derived from a place name, probably meaning "glade, clearing" and "friend, protector".

In the 1881 census there were 1,122 people recorded with the Gladwin surname, ranking it #3,558 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,785, ranked #3,528, up from #3,558 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Edmonton, London parishes and Youlgrave. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire and Bassetlaw.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gladwin is 1,903 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 59.1%.

1881 census count

1,122

Ranked #3,558

Modern count

1,785

2016, ranked #3,528

Peak year

2000

1,903 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gladwin had 1,122 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,558 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,785 in 2016, ranked #3,528.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,711 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gladwin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gladwin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gladwin 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 633 #4,103
1861 historical 773 #3,560
1881 historical 1,122 #3,558
1891 historical 1,281 #3,374
1901 historical 1,493 #3,437
1911 historical 1,711 #2,862
1997 modern 1,841 #3,270
1998 modern 1,881 #3,331
1999 modern 1,890 #3,336
2000 modern 1,903 #3,298
2001 modern 1,861 #3,301
2002 modern 1,888 #3,323
2003 modern 1,843 #3,327
2004 modern 1,876 #3,276
2005 modern 1,831 #3,312
2006 modern 1,823 #3,335
2007 modern 1,818 #3,370
2008 modern 1,834 #3,377
2009 modern 1,892 #3,356
2010 modern 1,897 #3,423
2011 modern 1,878 #3,411
2012 modern 1,807 #3,467
2013 modern 1,822 #3,497
2014 modern 1,824 #3,514
2015 modern 1,794 #3,530
2016 modern 1,785 #3,528

Geography

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Where Gladwins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Edmonton, London parishes, Youlgrave, Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire and Bassetlaw. 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 Edmonton Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 London parishes London 3
3 Youlgrave Derbyshire
4 Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy Essex
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 019 Herefordshire, County of
2 Bassetlaw 012 Bassetlaw
3 Bassetlaw 016 Bassetlaw
4 Bassetlaw 006 Bassetlaw
5 Bassetlaw 009 Bassetlaw

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gladwin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gladwin

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Gladwin is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gladwin 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

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

Meaning and origin of Gladwin

The surname Gladwin is of English origin and can be traced back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "glæd," meaning bright or shining, and "win," meaning friend or companion. This suggests that the name was initially used to refer to someone with a cheerful or radiant personality.

The name first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, with one of the earliest known references being found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1198, which mentions a person named William Gladwin. During this time, the name was also recorded with various spellings, such as Gladewyne and Gladwyne.

In the 13th century, the Gladwin surname appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, dated 1273, which listed individuals responsible for tax collection in their respective areas. This document provides evidence of the surname's presence in different regions of England.

Over the centuries, the Gladwin name has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was John Gladwin, a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol in the late 16th century. He played a significant role in the city's economic and political affairs during his lifetime (c. 1540-1610).

Another individual of note was William Gladwin (1597-1662), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Wigan in Lancashire. He was known for his contributions to theological writings and his involvement in religious debates of the time.

In the 18th century, the Gladwin name gained recognition through the achievements of Francis Gladwin (1734-1812), a prominent Orientalist and linguist. He was one of the earliest scholars to study and translate Persian and Indian languages into English, contributing significantly to the advancement of Eastern studies in the West.

The Gladwin surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England. For instance, the village of Gladwin Green in Shropshire is believed to have derived its name from the presence of Gladwin families in the area during the medieval period.

Other notable individuals with the Gladwin surname include Robert Gladwin (1799-1872), a British author and poet known for his works on natural history and rural life, and John Gladwin (1827-1901), a prominent English industrialist and philanthropist who played a crucial role in the development of the city of Walsall.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gladwin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gladwin 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 163 Gladwins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.50x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 163 1.50x
Middlesex 161 1.47x
Derbyshire 149 8.67x
Essex 144 6.65x
Lancashire 67 0.51x
Surrey 61 1.14x
Gloucestershire 60 2.79x
Herefordshire 47 10.44x
Durham 45 1.38x
Lincolnshire 45 2.56x
Kent 34 0.91x
Wiltshire 16 1.65x
Worcestershire 15 1.05x
Hertfordshire 13 1.72x
Nottinghamshire 13 0.88x
Hampshire 12 0.53x
Staffordshire 9 0.24x
Warwickshire 9 0.33x
Sussex 8 0.43x
Glamorgan 7 0.37x
Midlothian 6 0.41x
Norfolk 6 0.36x
Bedfordshire 5 0.88x
Lanarkshire 5 0.14x
Monmouthshire 5 0.63x
Cambridgeshire 4 0.58x
Suffolk 4 0.30x
Cumberland 3 0.32x
Dorset 2 0.28x
Leicestershire 2 0.16x
Northumberland 2 0.12x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.23x
Channel Islands 1 0.31x
Somerset 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. Stanton in Derbyshire leads with 56 Gladwins recorded in 1881 and an index of 1958.04x.

Place Total Index
Stanton 56 1958.04x
Edmonton 32 36.19x
Brightside Bierlow 31 14.53x
West Ham 30 6.27x
Ramsey 20 701.75x
Dymock 17 331.38x
Manchester 17 2.90x
Great Aycliffe 15 474.68x
Limber Magna 15 815.22x
Chesterfield 14 21.74x
Nether Hallam 13 8.84x
South Benfleet 13 507.81x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 13 25.73x
Bakewell 12 127.66x
Darlington 12 9.52x
Handsworth 12 41.74x
Hereford All Sts 12 58.20x
Islington London 11 1.03x
St Pancras London 11 1.25x
Evesham St Lawrence 10 131.41x
Accrington 9 7.60x
Chelmsford 9 24.21x
Heath 9 671.64x
Lambeth 9 0.94x
Worksop 9 20.52x
Writtle 9 101.69x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 8 21.51x
Brimington 8 61.30x
Buxton 8 55.02x
Cabourn 8 1230.77x
Mile End Old Town London 8 3.43x
Much Dewchurch 8 375.59x
Northwood 8 24.98x
Paddington London 8 1.98x
Plumstead 8 6.41x
Poplar London 8 3.86x
Ryhill 8 267.56x
Bradford 7 2.66x
Chipping Campden 7 99.86x
Eastwood 7 370.37x
Egham 7 21.32x
Felstead 7 94.34x
Hackney London 7 1.14x
Hulme 7 2.57x
Lewisham 7 3.51x
Preshute 7 117.25x
Swinton In Rotherham 7 24.34x
Walthamstow 7 8.98x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 6 5.92x
Ault Hucknall 6 213.52x
Batley 6 5.81x
Belper 6 18.01x
Birchington 6 114.50x
Brokenborough 6 431.65x
Bromley London 6 2.49x
Cheltenham 6 3.61x
Crich 6 53.52x
Edinburgh St Andrews 6 49.42x
Great Coggeshall 6 53.24x
Heigham 6 6.62x
Kensington London 6 0.98x
Leyton 6 16.08x
Maisemore 6 324.32x
Sawbridgeworth 6 52.40x
Shildon 6 22.87x
St George Hanover Square 6 3.10x
St Luke London 6 3.41x
Streatham 6 7.37x
Sutton 6 15.51x
Wrawby 6 126.32x
Yatton 6 869.57x
Barony 5 0.56x
Battersea 5 1.24x
Bishop Auckland 5 11.42x
Clee With Weelsby 5 13.02x
Hammersmith London 5 1.85x
Marden 5 158.23x
Margaretting 5 252.53x
Pauntley 5 609.76x
Tregare 5 471.70x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 80
John 48
George 44
Thomas 44
James 32
Joseph 30
Charles 26
Henry 19
Walter 14
Arthur 11
Robert 11
Samuel 11
Alfred 10
Albert 8
Frederick 7
Benjamin 6
Edward 6
Herbert 6
Edwin 5
Ernest 5
Harry 5
Stephen 5
Chas. 4
Richard 4
Thos. 4
Edwd. 3
Francis 3
Peter 3
Saml. 3
David 2
Frank 2
Geo. 2
Hugh 2
Rowland 2
Sydney 2
Wm. 2
Abrm. 1
Amos 1
Christopr. 1
Cornelius 1
Edwn. 1
Elijah 1
Eliza 1
Ellen 1
Fred 1
Horace 1
Humphrey 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Wm.T. 1

FAQ

Gladwin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gladwin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,122 people were recorded with the Gladwin surname. That placed it at #3,558 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gladwin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,785 in 2016. That gives Gladwin a modern rank of #3,528.

What does the Gladwin surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name, probably meaning "glade, clearing" and "friend, protector".

What does the Gladwin map show?

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