NameCensus.

UK surname

Goncalves

A Portuguese patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonçalo," derived from the Latin Gundisalvus, meaning "battle helmet."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Goncalves surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,735, ranked #3,605, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bournemouth, Lambeth and Crawley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goncalves is 1,735 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 173400.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

1,735

2016, ranked #3,605

Peak year

2016

1,735 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goncalves had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,735 in 2016, ranked #3,605.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Goncalves surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goncalves surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Goncalves 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
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 341 #12,407
1998 modern 401 #11,319
1999 modern 482 #9,950
2000 modern 509 #9,504
2001 modern 498 #9,498
2002 modern 585 #8,589
2003 modern 634 #7,978
2004 modern 731 #7,155
2005 modern 832 #6,406
2006 modern 928 #5,894
2007 modern 1,006 #5,583
2008 modern 1,083 #5,283
2009 modern 1,197 #4,949
2010 modern 1,323 #4,628
2011 modern 1,272 #4,741
2012 modern 1,456 #4,179
2013 modern 1,566 #3,990
2014 modern 1,678 #3,763
2015 modern 1,681 #3,723
2016 modern 1,735 #3,605

Geography

Back to top

Where Goncalves' 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 Bournemouth, Lambeth and Crawley. 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 Bournemouth 024 Bournemouth
2 Lambeth 024 Lambeth
3 Lambeth 004 Lambeth
4 Lambeth 006 Lambeth
5 Crawley 012 Crawley

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Goncalves

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Goncalves

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Goncalves surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Goncalves 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 includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Goncalves is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Goncalves 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

Goncalves 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 Goncalves is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Goncalves

The surname Goncalves originated in Portugal during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the ancient Portuguese given name Goncalo, which is a variant of the Germanic name Gundisalvus, meaning "battle protector" or "battle savior." The name Goncalves is a patronymic surname, meaning it was initially formed by adding the Portuguese suffix "-es" to Goncalo, indicating "son of Goncalo."

One of the earliest historical records mentioning the Goncalves surname dates back to the 13th century. In 1286, a nobleman named Goncalo Rodrigues Goncalves was mentioned in a charter granted by King Dinis I of Portugal. This document highlights the presence of the Goncalves family among the Portuguese nobility during that era.

In the 14th century, another notable figure bearing the Goncalves surname was João Goncalves, a Portuguese explorer and navigator. He is credited with discovering the Madeira Islands in 1418, leading to the establishment of Portuguese settlements in the Atlantic.

During the 15th century, the Goncalves surname gained further prominence when Nuno Goncalves (c. 1450-1491), a renowned Portuguese painter, produced his masterpiece, the Panels of St. Vincent. This work is considered one of the most significant examples of early Portuguese Renaissance art.

In the 16th century, the Goncalves family continued to play an important role in Portuguese history. Antão Goncalves (c. 1480-1542), a Portuguese explorer and navigator, is known for his exploration of the Moluccas Islands in the East Indies, contributing to the expansion of the Portuguese maritime empire.

Another notable figure with the Goncalves surname was Fernão Gomes Goncalves (c. 1550-1628), a Portuguese architect and engineer. He was responsible for designing and constructing several important buildings in Portugal, including the Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém in Lisbon.

As the Goncalves surname spread throughout Portugal, it also found its way to Portuguese colonies and territories around the world. Today, the surname Goncalves is prevalent not only in Portugal but also in Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, and other regions with historical ties to the Portuguese empire.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Goncalves families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goncalves 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. Worcestershire leads with 1 Goncalves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 79.37x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 1 79.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Malvern in Worcestershire leads with 1 Goncalves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3333.33x.

Place Total Index
Great Malvern 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
M. 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 Goncalves households.

Occupation Count
Scholar 1

FAQ

Goncalves surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goncalves surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Goncalves surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goncalves surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,735 in 2016. That gives Goncalves a modern rank of #3,605.

What does the Goncalves surname mean?

A Portuguese patronymic surname meaning "son of Gonçalo," derived from the Latin Gundisalvus, meaning "battle helmet."

What does the Goncalves map show?

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