NameCensus.

UK surname

Golby

A surname believed to be derived from a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 550 people recorded with the Golby surname, ranking it #6,274 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 759, ranked #7,218, down from #6,274 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ratley and Upton, Bedworth and Chilvers Coton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Nuneaton and Bedworth, Wakefield and Northampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Golby is 824 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.0%.

1881 census count

550

Ranked #6,274

Modern count

759

2016, ranked #7,218

Peak year

1999

824 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Golby had 550 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,274 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 759 in 2016, ranked #7,218.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 793 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Golby surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Golby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Golby 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 309 #7,449
1861 historical 405 #6,337
1881 historical 550 #6,274
1891 historical 626 #6,177
1901 historical 718 #6,149
1911 historical 793 #5,505
1997 modern 784 #6,645
1998 modern 819 #6,638
1999 modern 824 #6,644
2000 modern 789 #6,850
2001 modern 784 #6,748
2002 modern 810 #6,703
2003 modern 781 #6,787
2004 modern 783 #6,791
2005 modern 752 #6,941
2006 modern 759 #6,920
2007 modern 738 #7,149
2008 modern 743 #7,152
2009 modern 749 #7,263
2010 modern 772 #7,221
2011 modern 751 #7,306
2012 modern 748 #7,246
2013 modern 774 #7,163
2014 modern 764 #7,253
2015 modern 763 #7,206
2016 modern 759 #7,218

Geography

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Where Golbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ratley and Upton, Bedworth, Chilvers Coton, Foleshill and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Nuneaton and Bedworth, Wakefield, Northampton, Cherwell and Arun. 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 Ratley and Upton Oxfordshire
2 Bedworth Warwickshire
3 Chilvers Coton Warwickshire
4 Foleshill Warwickshire
5 Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars Leicestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Nuneaton and Bedworth 014 Nuneaton and Bedworth
2 Wakefield 009 Wakefield
3 Northampton 019 Northampton
4 Cherwell 008 Cherwell
5 Arun 004 Arun

Forenames

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First names often paired with Golby

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Golby

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Golby is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

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

Golby is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Golby

The surname Golby has its origins in England, with records dating back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have derived from a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a golfer's dwelling or a golf course. The name may also be connected to the Old English word "golb," meaning a round lump or ball, potentially referring to a physical characteristic or occupation.

One of the earliest known mentions of the surname Golby can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Warwickshire, where a John Golby was christened in 1598. In the 17th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Golbie, Golbie, and Golbey, reflecting the variations in spelling common during that time.

The Golby surname has been documented in several historical records, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1674, which listed a Thomas Golby in Oxfordshire. Additionally, the Poll Books of 1715 recorded a John Golby as a freeholder in Warwickshire.

One notable individual bearing the Golby surname was Sir John Golby (1640-1712), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Warwick in the late 17th century. Another prominent figure was William Golby (1798-1872), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Staffordshire, who made significant contributions to his local community.

Other individuals of note include:

1. Robert Golby (1776-1854), a renowned clockmaker from Coventry, known for his intricate longcase clocks. 2. Elizabeth Golby (1813-1891), a pioneering educator and founder of one of the first girls' schools in Worcestershire. 3. Henry Golby (1857-1932), a renowned architect who designed several notable buildings in Birmingham during the late Victorian era. 4. Emily Golby (1874-1958), a celebrated author and poet whose works explored themes of nature and rural life in the English countryside. 5. George Golby (1912-1998), a decorated World War II veteran and recipient of the Military Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Normandy.

While the Golby surname may not be among the most common in England, its long history and diverse bearers have left an indelible mark on various aspects of British society, from politics and business to arts and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Golby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Golby 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. Warwickshire leads with 159 Golbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.77x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 159 11.77x
Northamptonshire 85 16.88x
Oxfordshire 64 19.35x
Staffordshire 62 3.43x
Middlesex 27 0.50x
Surrey 21 0.80x
Buckinghamshire 18 5.56x
Lancashire 17 0.27x
Essex 13 1.23x
Yorkshire 13 0.25x
Leicestershire 11 1.85x
Wiltshire 9 1.90x
Berkshire 7 1.74x
Derbyshire 7 0.83x
Gloucestershire 7 0.67x
Worcestershire 7 1.00x
Kent 5 0.27x
Lanarkshire 5 0.29x
Sussex 5 0.55x
Bedfordshire 4 1.44x
Cheshire 1 0.08x
Shropshire 1 0.22x
Wigtownshire 1 1.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Foleshill in Warwickshire leads with 35 Golbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 246.31x.

Place Total Index
Foleshill 35 246.31x
Walsall Foreign 31 33.20x
Warkworth 21 463.58x
Ratley 19 2533.33x
Bedworth 16 162.44x
Coventry Holy Trinity 16 39.68x
Eydon 14 1707.32x
Aston 13 3.50x
Neithrop 13 117.01x
Birmingham 11 2.44x
Paddington London 11 5.59x
Leicester St Margaret 10 6.91x
Coventry St Michael 9 20.75x
Great Oakley 9 532.54x
Duston 8 175.05x
Epwell 8 1666.67x
Great Little Marsden 8 27.48x
Newington 8 4.04x
West Bromwich 8 7.73x
Chilvers Coton 7 126.13x
Leek Lowe 7 29.11x
Middleton Cheney 7 319.63x
Nuneaton 7 44.73x
Ockbrook 7 196.63x
Sulgrave 7 833.33x
Batley 6 11.90x
Bloxham 6 185.19x
Burntwood Edial 6 51.95x
Clifford Chambers 6 857.14x
Dallington 6 202.70x
Kirkham 6 71.43x
Leamington Priors 6 18.06x
Stoke D Abernon 6 789.47x
Wolverton 6 89.55x
Barony 5 1.14x
Brighton 5 2.74x
Chatham 5 9.95x
Cropredy 5 500.00x
Kidlington 5 195.31x
Morton Pinkney 5 609.76x
Stratton St Margaret 5 68.87x
Turweston 5 892.86x
Wardington 5 442.48x
Wolverhampton 5 3.60x
Iffley 4 143.37x
Kings Norton 4 6.38x
Luton 4 8.33x
Nether Heyford 4 268.46x
W Adderbury 4 487.80x
Woodford 4 493.83x
Banbury 3 45.32x
Chelsea London 3 1.86x
Heybridge 3 97.72x
Hillmorton 3 124.48x
Kineton 3 155.44x
Norton 3 394.74x
Passenham 3 144.93x
Reading St Mary 3 9.32x
Rugby 3 16.42x
Sheffield 3 1.78x
Shenington 3 422.54x
Steeple Barton 3 178.57x
Willesden 3 5.94x
Aston Le Walls 2 1052.63x
Atherstone 2 28.99x
Bodicote 2 158.73x
Hardingstone 2 41.58x
Hungerford 2 36.76x
Iver 2 47.96x
Kensington London 2 0.67x
Loxley 2 338.98x
Ludgershall 2 259.74x
Northampton St Sepulchre 2 7.81x
Southwark Christchurch 2 7.97x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 1.86x
St Marylebone London 2 0.70x
Stoke Upon Trent 2 1.04x
Stratford On Avon 2 26.70x
Syresham 2 136.05x
Willenhall 2 5.91x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 34
Sarah 27
Elizabeth 23
Emma 15
Ann 10
Eliza 10
Charlotte 8
Hannah 7
Annie 6
Ada 5
Alice 5
Jane 5
Maria 5
Martha 5
Catherine 4
Edith 4
Ellen 4
Fanny 4
Lucy 4
Selina 4
Amelia 3
Caroline 3
Harriet 3
Kate 3
Louisa 3
Margaret 3
Amy 2
Dinah 2
Eleanor 2
Florence 2
Harriett 2
Laura 2
Matilda 2
Rose 2
Sophia 2
Susanna 2
Temperance 2
Asenath 1
Beatrice 1
Beller 1
Betha 1
Edeth 1
Elizth. 1
Emmily 1
Ethel 1
Judith 1
Lizzie 1
Lollie 1
Minnie 1
Theresia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 56
John 40
George 29
Thomas 22
James 19
Henry 10
Richard 10
Samuel 10
Joseph 9
Arthur 8
Charles 7
Edward 6
Ernest 5
Harry 5
Frederick 4
Alfred 2
Clarence 2
Elias 2
Frances 2
Fred 2
Jno. 2
Job 2
Mark 2
Robert 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Allan 1
Allen 1
Archibald 1
Arnold 1
Aubery 1
Auther 1
Chas.J. 1
Daniel 1
David 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Elliss 1
Fletcher 1
Fredrick 1
G.Nelson 1
Jane 1
Maurace 1
Orlando 1
Silas 1
Stephan 1
Stephen 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Golby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Golby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 550 people were recorded with the Golby surname. That placed it at #6,274 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Golby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 759 in 2016. That gives Golby a modern rank of #7,218.

What does the Golby surname mean?

A surname believed to be derived from a place name in England.

What does the Golby map show?

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