NameCensus.

UK surname

Gopalan

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word "Gopala" meaning a cowherd or protector of cows.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Harrow and Newham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gopalan is 122 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

117

2016, ranked #28,033

Peak year

2014

122 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016, ranked #28,033.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gopalan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gopalan surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gopalan 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
1997 modern 24 #35,376
1998 modern 26 #35,254
1999 modern 27 #35,224
2000 modern 30 #34,885
2001 modern 27 #35,041
2002 modern 38 #34,307
2003 modern 46 #33,710
2004 modern 54 #33,248
2005 modern 65 #32,387
2006 modern 79 #31,263
2007 modern 83 #31,183
2008 modern 90 #30,567
2009 modern 91 #30,944
2010 modern 89 #31,745
2011 modern 104 #29,424
2012 modern 111 #28,332
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 122 #27,358
2015 modern 122 #27,245
2016 modern 117 #28,033

Geography

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Where Gopalans 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 Camden, Harrow, Newham, Leeds and Newcastle-under-Lyme. 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 Camden 011 Camden
2 Harrow 010 Harrow
3 Newham 010 Newham
4 Leeds 096 Leeds
5 Newcastle-under-Lyme 015 Newcastle-under-Lyme

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gopalan

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

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gopalan is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

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

Gopalan 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

Gopalan falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gopalan is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

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

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Gopalan

The surname Gopalan is of Indian origin, specifically from the Tamil language spoken in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The name can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 9th to 12th centuries AD.

Gopalan is derived from the Tamil word "Gopalan," which means "protector of cows" or "cowherd." This suggests that the name might have originated from families or communities involved in cattle rearing or agriculture. The name is particularly prevalent in the regions of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Karnataka.

Historical records indicate that the name Gopalan appears in several ancient Tamil literary works and inscriptions. One notable example is the mention of a person named Gopalan in the 12th-century Tamil epic "Kalingathuparani," which recounts the victories of the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I.

The earliest recorded individuals with the surname Gopalan include Thiruvalluvar Gopalan, a renowned Tamil poet and philosopher who lived around the 6th century AD. His famous work, "Thirukkural," is a collection of couplets on ethics, love, and moral values.

Another notable figure was Azhagiya Gopalan, a 16th-century Tamil poet and scholar from the Thanjavur region of Tamil Nadu. He was known for his contributions to Tamil literature and his expertise in the traditional dance form of Bharatanatyam.

In the 18th century, Papanasam Gopalan was a revered Tamil scholar and writer who authored several works on Saiva philosophy and literature. He was also a renowned teacher and influenced many scholars of his time.

During the 19th century, Sundara Gopalan was a prominent social reformer and educationist from Tamil Nadu. He played a crucial role in promoting education among the underprivileged and advocating for the abolition of certain social practices.

Another notable figure was Gopalan Nambiar, a 19th-century freedom fighter from Kerala who actively participated in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.

The surname Gopalan is still widely used in various parts of South India, particularly among Tamil communities. While the name has evolved over time, its etymology and historical connections to cattle rearing and agriculture remain deeply rooted in its origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gopalan surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gopalan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 117 in 2016. That gives Gopalan a modern rank of #28,033.

What does the Gopalan surname mean?

An Indian surname derived from the Sanskrit word "Gopala" meaning a cowherd or protector of cows.

What does the Gopalan map show?

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