UK surname
A surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "gord" meaning "enclosure" or "farm."
In the 1881 census there were 52 people recorded with the Gord surname, ranking it #26,281 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 35, ranked #35,703, down from #26,281 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Tiverton, London parishes and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gord is 141 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 32.7%.
1881 census count
52
Ranked #26,281
Modern count
35
2016, ranked #35,703
Peak year
1861
141 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Gord surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Gord surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 52 | #23,915 |
| 1861 | historical | 141 | #16,072 |
| 1881 | historical | 52 | #26,281 |
| 1891 | historical | 123 | #20,939 |
| 1901 | historical | 44 | #29,276 |
| 1911 | historical | 39 | #29,025 |
| 1997 | modern | 26 | #35,135 |
| 1998 | modern | 30 | #34,833 |
| 1999 | modern | 26 | #35,320 |
| 2000 | modern | 25 | #35,382 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 25 | #35,428 |
| 2003 | modern | 22 | #35,740 |
| 2004 | modern | 27 | #35,444 |
| 2005 | modern | 29 | #35,431 |
| 2006 | modern | 22 | #36,105 |
| 2007 | modern | 21 | #36,290 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 26 | #36,111 |
| 2010 | modern | 28 | #36,084 |
| 2011 | modern | 31 | #35,892 |
| 2012 | modern | 32 | #35,820 |
| 2013 | modern | 33 | #35,808 |
| 2014 | modern | 35 | #35,722 |
| 2015 | modern | 33 | #35,803 |
| 2016 | modern | 35 | #35,703 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Tiverton, London parishes, Toxteth Park, Battersea and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiverton | Devon |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 4 | Battersea | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Gord surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gord, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Gord surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Gord household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Gord is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gord is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Gord, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Gord originated in England during the medieval period, deriving from the Old English word "gord," which meant "an enclosure" or "a gored garment." This name likely first arose as a descriptive surname, referring to someone who lived within an enclosure or who wore gored clothing.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Gord surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gorda" in the county of Hertfordshire. This record suggests that the name was present in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.
In the 13th century, the surname is documented in various forms, such as "Gorde," "Gord," and "Gorda," indicating regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. During this period, the name was primarily concentrated in the counties of Hertfordshire, Essex, and Cambridgeshire.
A notable early bearer of the Gord surname was Sir Thomas Gord, a prominent English landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. Records indicate that he held significant estates in Hertfordshire and played an influential role in local governance.
Another historical figure with the surname Gord was John Gord, a successful merchant and alderman who lived in the city of London during the 16th century. He was respected for his business acumen and served as a member of the prestigious Worshipful Company of Mercers.
In the 17th century, the Gord family established themselves in the county of Lincolnshire, where they owned several estates and manors. One notable member from this period was William Gord, a landowner and justice of the peace who was active in local affairs in the mid-1600s.
The surname Gord has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Gord's Green in Essex and Gord's Hill in Hertfordshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the Gord surname who lived or owned property in those areas.
Other notable individuals with the Gord surname include Sir Edward Gord (1674-1743), a prominent English politician and member of Parliament, and Reverend Thomas Gord (1708-1786), a respected clergyman and author of several theological works.
While the Gord surname has its roots in medieval England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including North America and Australia, due to migration and exploration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gord surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Norfolk leads with 15 Gords recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.24x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 15 | 19.24x |
| Cumberland | 8 | 18.32x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 1.58x |
| Surrey | 7 | 2.83x |
| Cornwall | 6 | 10.45x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.83x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.95x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.23x |
| Somerset | 1 | 1.22x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wormegay in Norfolk leads with 15 Gords recorded in 1881 and an index of 18750.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Wormegay | 15 | 18750.00x |
| Askerton | 8 | 13333.33x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 25.85x |
| St Agnes | 6 | 750.00x |
| Battersea | 4 | 21.44x |
| Widnes | 4 | 92.17x |
| Newington | 2 | 10.68x |
| Bridgewater | 1 | 45.05x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.55x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 2.26x |
| Oswaldtwistle | 1 | 46.95x |
| Scawby | 1 | 370.37x |
| Tiverton | 1 | 54.95x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gord surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gord surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Gord households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| General Laborer | 3 |
| General Laborers Wife | 2 |
| Laborer | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Artist | 1 |
| Builders Clerk | 1 |
| Butcher | 1 |
| Cabinet Maker | 1 |
| Chemical Labourer (Manuf Chem) | 1 |
| Cigar Maker | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Do Assist | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| French Polisher | 1 |
| Gen Laborer | 1 |
| Gen Serv Dom | 1 |
| Groom 8/- | 1 |
| Laborers Daur | 1 |
| Tin Miner | 1 |
| Tin Miners Widow | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 52 people were recorded with the Gord surname. That placed it at #26,281 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 35 in 2016. That gives Gord a modern rank of #35,703.
A surname derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "gord" meaning "enclosure" or "farm."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gord bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.