NameCensus.

UK surname

Gola

A surname derived from an Italian word meaning "throat" or "neck".

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Gola surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 187, ranked #20,488, up from #32,581 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gola is 187 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2237.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

187

2016, ranked #20,488

Peak year

2016

187 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gola had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016, ranked #20,488.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Gola surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gola surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gola 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 7 #32,070
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 91 #28,215
1998 modern 95 #28,303
1999 modern 100 #27,757
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 104 #26,765
2002 modern 119 #25,231
2003 modern 128 #23,890
2004 modern 127 #24,224
2005 modern 133 #23,502
2006 modern 138 #23,156
2007 modern 137 #23,590
2008 modern 138 #23,763
2009 modern 152 #22,716
2010 modern 170 #21,560
2011 modern 167 #21,642
2012 modern 158 #22,460
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 183 #20,880
2015 modern 178 #21,149
2016 modern 187 #20,488

Geography

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Where Golas 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 Hounslow, Bolton, Leicester and Brent. 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 Hounslow 021 Hounslow
2 Bolton 025 Bolton
3 Leicester 029 Leicester
4 Bolton 019 Bolton
5 Brent 003 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gola

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

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Gola surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Gola household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Gola is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gola is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gola falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gola is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Gola

The surname GOLA is believed to have originated in Italy, specifically in the region of Piedmont. It is thought to have derived from the Italian word "gola," which means "throat" or "gorge." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to describe someone who lived near a gorge or valley.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GOLA can be found in the Piedmontese town of Asti, where a family bearing this name is mentioned in documents dating back to the 13th century. It is possible that the name was initially associated with a specific geographical location or landmark in this area.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Giovanni GOLA was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of Turin. Records indicate that he played a significant role in the city's economic and political affairs during that time.

During the Renaissance period, the GOLA family gained prominence in the arts and literature. Lorenzo GOLA (1453-1521) was a renowned painter and sculptor who worked in various Italian cities, including Florence and Venice. His works can still be found in several churches and museums across Italy.

Moving into the 17th century, the GOLA name appeared in historical records related to the Catholic Church. Antonio GOLA (1615-1678) was a respected theologian and scholar who authored several influential treatises on religious doctrine and philosophy.

In the 19th century, a notable figure was Giuseppe GOLA (1828-1909), an Italian politician and statesman who served as a member of the Italian Parliament and held various ministerial positions during the unification of Italy.

Throughout its history, the surname GOLA has been associated with various professions and areas of expertise, from commerce and art to religion and politics. While its origins can be traced back to a specific region in Italy, the name has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gola families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gola 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 7 Golas recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.06x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 7 9.06x
Surrey 1 2.63x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 7 Golas recorded in 1881 and an index of 160.55x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 7 160.55x
Camberwell 1 20.08x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Annie 1
Edith 1
Golaer 1
Rebecca 1
Sara 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Barnara 1
Henry 1
Morris 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 Gola households.

Occupation Count
Gen Labr 1
Tailor 1

FAQ

Gola surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gola surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Gola surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gola surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016. That gives Gola a modern rank of #20,488.

What does the Gola surname mean?

A surname derived from an Italian word meaning "throat" or "neck".

What does the Gola map show?

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