NameCensus.

UK surname

Gornall

An English habitational name derived from localities in Lancashire.

In the 1881 census there were 863 people recorded with the Gornall surname, ranking it #4,383 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,395, ranked #4,353, up from #4,383 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Poulton and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Preston, Ribble Valley and Wyre.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gornall is 1,494 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 61.6%.

1881 census count

863

Ranked #4,383

Modern count

1,395

2016, ranked #4,353

Peak year

1999

1,494 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gornall had 863 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,383 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,395 in 2016, ranked #4,353.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,280 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Small Town Suburbia.

Gornall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gornall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gornall 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 429 #5,706
1861 historical 539 #4,868
1881 historical 863 #4,383
1891 historical 1,035 #4,033
1901 historical 1,131 #4,290
1911 historical 1,280 #3,716
1997 modern 1,412 #4,111
1998 modern 1,479 #4,104
1999 modern 1,494 #4,106
2000 modern 1,471 #4,129
2001 modern 1,455 #4,091
2002 modern 1,455 #4,169
2003 modern 1,456 #4,095
2004 modern 1,432 #4,149
2005 modern 1,436 #4,108
2006 modern 1,419 #4,149
2007 modern 1,439 #4,141
2008 modern 1,420 #4,214
2009 modern 1,460 #4,200
2010 modern 1,464 #4,265
2011 modern 1,443 #4,264
2012 modern 1,399 #4,306
2013 modern 1,412 #4,337
2014 modern 1,414 #4,359
2015 modern 1,392 #4,369
2016 modern 1,395 #4,353

Geography

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Where Gornalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Poulton, Preston, Bradford and Blackburn. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Preston, Ribble Valley and Wyre. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Poulton Lancashire
3 Preston Lancashire
4 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Blackburn Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Preston 001 Preston
2 Ribble Valley 006 Ribble Valley
3 Ribble Valley 004 Ribble Valley
4 Wyre 006 Wyre
5 Wyre 007 Wyre

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gornall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gornall

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Small Town Suburbia

Nationally, the Gornall surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Small Town Suburbia, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Gornall 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 predominantly comprised of married couples with no resident dependent children, living in areas characterised neither by under-occupancy nor overcrowding throughout the UK in or adjacent to small towns. White ethnic groups and affiliation with Christianity predominates. Housing tends to be predominantly semi-detached or detached and workers are employed principally in managerial and professional occupations, with semi-skilled occupations also in evidence. These areas of the Supergroup are of higher population density.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Gornall is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gornall is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gornall 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 Gornall 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.

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Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gornall

The surname Gornall originates from England, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the village of Gornall, located in the West Midlands region of England, near the town of Dudley. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "goren" meaning "muddy" and "halh" meaning "a nook or corner of land."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Gornall can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199, where it is spelled as "Gorenhale." This record suggests that the name was already in use by the late 12th century and was likely associated with individuals residing in or near the village of Gornall.

The Gornall surname is also mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327, where it appears as "Gorenhull." This spelling variation reflects the evolution of the name over time and its adaptation to local dialects and pronunciation.

During the 16th century, the name Gornall appeared in several historical records, including the Parish Registers of Sedgley, Staffordshire. In 1561, a certain William Gornall was recorded as a resident of the area. Another notable individual was John Gornall, who was born in Gornall around 1580 and served as a prominent local landowner.

In the 17th century, the Gornall family gained prominence in the region. Thomas Gornall (1603-1685) was a respected clergyman and author, known for his work "The Christian's Armour Against the Terrours of Death." His son, Robert Gornall (1637-1708), followed in his footsteps and became a notable minister in Shropshire.

During the 18th century, the surname Gornall continued to be associated with the West Midlands region. One notable figure was Samuel Gornall (1720-1786), a wealthy industrialist and landowner from Dudley. He was instrumental in the development of the local coal and iron industries.

In the 19th century, the Gornall family dispersed more widely across England and beyond. James Gornall (1808-1875) was a successful businessman and philanthropist from Manchester, known for his charitable contributions to educational institutions. Another noteworthy individual was Sir John Gornall (1852-1934), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Justice of Appeal in London.

Throughout its history, the surname Gornall has maintained a strong connection to its English origins, particularly in the West Midlands region. While the name has spread globally, its roots can be traced back to the small village of Gornall, where it first emerged as a locational surname over eight centuries ago.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gornall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gornall 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. Lancashire leads with 621 Gornalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.27x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 621 6.27x
Yorkshire 107 1.29x
Middlesex 32 0.38x
Cheshire 22 1.19x
Northumberland 12 0.97x
Durham 11 0.44x
Buckinghamshire 8 1.59x
Cardiganshire 8 3.93x
Shropshire 8 1.11x
Surrey 7 0.17x
Midlothian 6 0.54x
Cumberland 3 0.42x
Hampshire 3 0.18x
Hertfordshire 2 0.35x
Staffordshire 2 0.07x
Glamorgan 1 0.07x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.52x
Sussex 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 56 Gornalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.15x.

Place Total Index
Preston 56 21.15x
Blackburn 41 15.57x
Bradford 25 12.50x
Windle 24 43.10x
Treales Roseacre 22 1375.00x
Thornton In Fylde 20 92.38x
Bury 17 15.04x
Kirkham 17 129.97x
Barrow In Furness 13 9.66x
Clitheroe 13 44.63x
Little Bolton 13 10.22x
Bowling 11 13.44x
Parr 11 31.06x
Sharples 11 102.52x
Woodplumpton 11 310.73x
Alston 10 216.92x
Bowland Forest High 10 1515.15x
Haydock 10 58.65x
Liverpool 10 1.66x
Scotforth 10 155.52x
Warrington 10 8.52x
Brying With Kellamergh 9 2571.43x
Horton In Bradford 9 6.97x
Manchester 9 2.02x
Over Wyresdale 9 616.44x
Rainford 9 84.11x
Rufford 9 347.49x
Walton Le Dale 9 33.85x
Accrington 8 8.89x
Barton In Preston 8 754.72x
Clerkenwell London 8 4.06x
Dukinfield 8 9.40x
Fenny Stratford 8 167.71x
Ince In Makerfield 8 17.37x
Layton With Warbreck 8 22.03x
Oldham 8 2.50x
Pilling 8 172.41x
Pollards Land 8 457.14x
Worthen 8 104.58x
Ealing 7 9.39x
Elswick 7 7.07x
Great Eccleston 7 388.89x
Horton In Ribblesdale 7 463.58x
Leeds 7 1.50x
Warton 7 614.04x
Whalley 7 48.54x
Aberystwyth 6 185.76x
Barton Upon Irwell 6 8.05x
Birkdale 6 23.96x
Broughton In Preston 6 352.94x
Catterall 6 342.86x
Dinckley 6 1714.29x
Goosnargh 6 187.50x
Halifax 6 4.95x
Hindley 6 14.22x
Pendleton In Salford 6 5.09x
Penwortham 6 127.93x
Quernmore 6 359.28x
Ribchester 6 160.43x
Toxteth Park 6 1.79x
Wigan 6 4.34x
Wyke In Bradford 6 40.60x
Balby Cum Hexthorpe 5 50.71x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.38x
Birkenhead 5 3.41x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 1.11x
Hoole 5 71.84x
Lancaster 5 8.49x
Newcastle On Tyne St John 5 30.64x
Poulton Le Fylde 5 142.45x
Saddleworth 5 7.84x
Southowram 5 19.82x
Thurnham 5 328.95x
West Derby 5 1.73x
Cabus 4 784.31x
Farnworth 4 6.75x
Hatton In Runcorn 4 384.62x
Kingston On Thames 4 4.10x
Kirkdale 4 2.40x
Ribby With Wray 4 350.88x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 84
Alice 40
Elizabeth 39
Ann 26
Jane 24
Ellen 21
Margaret 19
Sarah 18
Annie 11
Agnes 10
Martha 10
Isabella 6
Maria 6
Ada 4
Catherine 4
Emma 4
Esther 4
Grace 4
Hannah 4
Eleanor 3
Elizth. 3
Emily 3
Ethel 3
Frances 3
Harriet 3
Rachel 3
Beatrice 2
Betty 2
Bridget 2
Caroline 2
Catharine 2
Edith 2
Eliz. 2
Elizebeth 2
Lydia 2
Margeret 2
Margret 2
Margt. 2
Matilda 2
Nancy 2
Nanny 2
Rebecca 2
Amy 1
Bettsy 1
Eliza 1
Elizth.A. 1
Hilda 1
Janet 1
Jemima 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 61
William 60
Thomas 53
James 48
Henry 17
Joseph 17
Robert 17
George 15
Richard 15
Arthur 4
Charles 4
Harry 4
Philip 4
Albert 3
Eli 3
Frederick 3
Matthew 3
Peter 3
Richd. 3
Samuel 3
Abraham 2
Alfred 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fredk. 2
Jno. 2
Mark 2
Ralph 2
Rowland 2
Walter 2
Wilfred 2
Wm. 2
Chas.Henry 1
Frank 1
Harrold 1
Hawell 1
Herbert 1
Hiram 1
Isinats 1
J. 1
Joe 1
Miles 1
Myerscough 1
Nicholas 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Pharoah 1
Richd.Francis 1
Wm.Saml. 1

FAQ

Gornall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gornall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 863 people were recorded with the Gornall surname. That placed it at #4,383 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gornall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,395 in 2016. That gives Gornall a modern rank of #4,353.

What does the Gornall surname mean?

An English habitational name derived from localities in Lancashire.

What does the Gornall map show?

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