NameCensus.

UK surname

Gordan

A toponymic surname derived from a place name, likely referring to someone from a town or village called Gordan.

In the 1881 census there were 213 people recorded with the Gordan surname, ranking it #12,328 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 139, ranked #25,001, down from #12,328 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Crathie and Braemar, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Castle Point and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gordan is 1,006 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.7%.

1881 census count

213

Ranked #12,328

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

1891

1,006 bearers

Map years

7

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gordan had 213 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,328 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,006 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Gordan surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gordan surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gordan 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 287 #7,909
1861 historical 770 #3,574
1881 historical 213 #12,328
1891 historical 1,006 #4,124
1901 historical 285 #12,063
1911 historical 158 #17,277
1997 modern 40 #33,666
1998 modern 44 #33,462
1999 modern 47 #33,320
2000 modern 54 #32,710
2001 modern 53 #32,674
2002 modern 71 #31,351
2003 modern 68 #31,689
2004 modern 68 #31,880
2005 modern 76 #31,267
2006 modern 82 #30,933
2007 modern 86 #30,808
2008 modern 96 #29,654
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 104 #29,618
2011 modern 112 #28,117
2012 modern 118 #27,250
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 124 #27,049
2015 modern 124 #26,944
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Gordans are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Crathie and Braemar, London parishes, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham, Castle Point, Taunton Deane, Harrow and Manchester. 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 Crathie and Braemar Aberdeen
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 050 Birmingham
2 Castle Point 008 Castle Point
3 Taunton Deane 010 Taunton Deane
4 Harrow 013 Harrow
5 Manchester 036 Manchester

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gordan

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gordan

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Gordan surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Gordan 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gordan is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gordan 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

Gordan falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gordan 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gordan

The surname Gordan is believed to have originated in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century. It is a locational name, derived from the small village of Gordon, located in the Scottish Borders region. The name Gordon itself is thought to come from the Old English words "gor" meaning "hill" and "dun" meaning "fort" or "citadel."

The earliest recorded instance of the name Gordan appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which were a series of parchment rolls recording the names of Scottish noblemen who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. One such nobleman was Adam de Gordun, whose name was recorded in these rolls.

During the Middle Ages, the Gordon family became one of the most powerful and influential clans in Scotland. They were granted lands in Aberdeenshire and played a significant role in Scottish history. One notable member of the clan was Sir Adam Gordon, who fought alongside King Robert the Bruce in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century.

In the 15th century, the Gordons were elevated to the peerage, with Alexander Seton being created the first Earl of Huntly in 1449. The Gordon family held this title for nearly 300 years until the death of the 5th Marquess of Huntly in 1765.

Other notable individuals with the surname Gordan throughout history include:

1. Thomas Gordon (1691-1750), a Scottish classical scholar and author. 2. Lord George Gordon (1751-1793), a British politician and leader of the Protestant Association, known for the Gordon Riots of 1780. 3. Patrick Gordon (1635-1699), a Scottish soldier who served in the Russian army and rose to the rank of general. 4. Charles George Gordon (1833-1885), a British army officer known as "Chinese" Gordon for his service in China and his role in the Siege of Khartoum. 5. Armistead C. Gordon (1855-1931), an American lawyer and Confederate soldier during the American Civil War.

The surname Gordan has also been associated with various place names throughout Scotland, such as Gordon Castle in Aberdeenshire, Gordon's Cauld in the Scottish Borders, and the village of Gordon itself.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gordan families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gordan 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 51 Gordans recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.55x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 51 2.55x
Lancashire 37 1.54x
Middlesex 19 0.94x
Lanarkshire 15 2.30x
Durham 12 2.00x
Staffordshire 11 1.61x
Lincolnshire 9 2.79x
Kent 7 1.02x
Nottinghamshire 7 2.57x
Surrey 6 0.61x
Cumberland 4 2.30x
Sussex 4 1.17x
Cheshire 3 0.67x
Hampshire 3 0.72x
Midlothian 3 1.11x
Cornwall 2 0.87x
Perthshire 2 2.21x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.53x
Ayrshire 1 0.66x
Devon 1 0.24x
Essex 1 0.25x
Fife 1 0.84x
Glamorgan 1 0.28x
Herefordshire 1 1.21x
Rutland 1 6.74x
Shropshire 1 0.57x
Suffolk 1 0.41x
Westmorland 1 2.25x
Worcestershire 1 0.38x

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 21 Gordans recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.59x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 21 18.59x
Liverpool 14 9.62x
Kingswinford 11 44.44x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 10 38.43x
Mexborough 8 201.51x
Arnold 7 176.32x
Ashton Under Lyne 6 11.46x
Blyton 6 1224.49x
Barony 5 3.03x
Ecclesall Bierlow 5 12.29x
Govan 5 3.10x
New Malton 5 209.21x
Great Bolton 4 12.60x
Holbeck 4 30.17x
Maryhill 4 31.30x
Bermondsey 3 4.99x
Bromley London 3 6.75x
Deptford St Paul 3 5.65x
Everton 3 3.93x
Hammersmith London 3 6.03x
Hove 3 20.08x
Kirkandrews On Esk 3 508.47x
Luddington 3 731.71x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 3 75.57x
Blairgowrie 2 55.87x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.84x
Hulme 2 4.00x
Newchurch 2 10.20x
Newington 2 2.68x
North Hill 2 273.97x
Portsmouth 2 20.99x
Shoreditch London 2 2.28x
St Mary 2 149.25x
West Derby 2 2.85x
Wye 2 186.92x
Battersea 1 1.35x
Bow London 1 3.89x
Cardiff St Mary 1 5.16x
Ceres 1 69.44x
Cheriton 1 35.59x
Chorley 1 7.43x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 2.63x
Clayton Le Moors 1 21.51x
Cleator 1 13.81x
Collierley 1 37.31x
Cressing 1 270.27x
Dalkeith 1 18.73x
Failsworth 1 18.25x
Gillingham 1 7.04x
Glasgow 1 0.86x
Great Little Preston 1 175.44x
Hackney London 1 0.88x
Hampstead London 1 3.18x
Hanwell 1 27.93x
Harmondsworth 1 80.00x
Hook 1 22.73x
Horsted Keynes 1 126.58x
Ilfracombe 1 23.09x
Ipswich St Mathew 1 14.51x
Kensington London 1 0.89x
Luttons Ambo 1 238.10x
Mile End Old Town London 1 2.33x
Muirkirk 1 28.17x
Newton In Hereford 1 769.23x
Northwood 1 16.98x
Paddington London 1 1.35x
Preston Patrick 1 263.16x
Rotherham 1 8.87x
Shrewsbury St Julian 1 23.15x
Soothill 1 13.83x
South Newbald 1 909.09x
St Botolph Bishopsgate 1 34.97x
St Luke London 1 3.09x
St Pancras London 1 0.62x
Stretton 1 714.29x
Trimdon 1 47.17x
Tullynessle Forbes 1 144.93x
Worcester St Clement 1 59.52x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 11
John 9
George 7
James 7
Thomas 6
Charles 3
David 3
Henry 3
Robert 3
Anthony 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Michael 2
Owen 2
Patrick 2
Richard 2
Roland 2
Alexander 1
Benjamin 1
Bertram 1
Donald 1
Edward 1
Eli 1
Ephriam 1
Frank 1
Geo. 1
Gordon 1
H. 1
Hugh 1
Jessie 1
Jno. 1
Joseph 1
Laurence 1
Magar 1
Martin 1
Max. 1
Miles 1
Norman 1
Samuel 1
Septimas 1
Thos. 1
Timothy 1
Tom 1

FAQ

Gordan surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gordan surname in 1881?

In 1881, 213 people were recorded with the Gordan surname. That placed it at #12,328 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gordan surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Gordan a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Gordan surname mean?

A toponymic surname derived from a place name, likely referring to someone from a town or village called Gordan.

What does the Gordan map show?

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