NameCensus.

UK surname

Gosden

From an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "dweller by the gorse-covered valley".

In the 1881 census there were 608 people recorded with the Gosden surname, ranking it #5,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 767, ranked #7,156, down from #5,765 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newchurch, London parishes and Chertsey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basingstoke and Deane, Isle of Wight and Surrey Heath.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gosden is 901 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 26.2%.

1881 census count

608

Ranked #5,765

Modern count

767

2016, ranked #7,156

Peak year

1911

901 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gosden had 608 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 767 in 2016, ranked #7,156.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 901 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Gosden surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gosden surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Gosden 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 428 #5,717
1861 historical 280 #8,953
1881 historical 608 #5,765
1891 historical 602 #6,369
1901 historical 852 #5,352
1911 historical 901 #4,949
1997 modern 855 #6,214
1998 modern 868 #6,334
1999 modern 886 #6,289
2000 modern 879 #6,283
2001 modern 847 #6,354
2002 modern 859 #6,417
2003 modern 803 #6,630
2004 modern 805 #6,634
2005 modern 752 #6,941
2006 modern 745 #7,018
2007 modern 750 #7,061
2008 modern 750 #7,104
2009 modern 764 #7,147
2010 modern 781 #7,160
2011 modern 797 #6,974
2012 modern 766 #7,120
2013 modern 779 #7,127
2014 modern 777 #7,165
2015 modern 774 #7,125
2016 modern 767 #7,156

Geography

Back to top

Where Gosdens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newchurch, London parishes, Chertsey, Chobham and Windlesham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Basingstoke and Deane, Isle of Wight, Surrey Heath, Wealden and Havant. 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 Newchurch Hampshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Chertsey Surrey
4 Chobham Surrey
5 Windlesham Surrey

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Basingstoke and Deane 005 Basingstoke and Deane
2 Isle of Wight 012 Isle of Wight
3 Surrey Heath 006 Surrey Heath
4 Wealden 015 Wealden
5 Havant 016 Havant

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Gosden

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Gosden

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Gosden surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gosden household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Gosden 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

Gosden is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gosden falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gosden 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.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gosden

The surname Gosden has its origins in England, first appearing in records during the late 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "gos" meaning goose and "denu" meaning valley or pasture, suggesting the name may have originally referred to someone who lived or worked in an area where geese were kept or raised.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Gosden can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Islington, London, dating back to 1597. This record mentions a William Gosden, who was likely one of the first individuals to bear this surname.

In the 17th century, the Gosden name appeared in various parts of southern England, particularly in the counties of Sussex and Hampshire. It is possible that the name was initially concentrated in these areas before gradually spreading to other regions.

The Gosden surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One example is Sir William Eden Gosden (1777-1857), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a prominent advocate for the abolition of slavery.

Another individual of note is Charles Gosden (1803-1879), a British architect who designed several churches and other buildings in London during the 19th century, including St. Peter's Church in Hammersmith.

In the realm of literature, there is John Gosden (1845-1924), an English writer and journalist who worked for several newspapers and authored several novels and short stories during the Victorian era.

The name Gosden has also been connected to the world of sports. One example is Freddie Gosden (1908-1982), an English football player who played as a forward for several clubs in the 1920s and 1930s, including Southampton and Bournemouth.

Another notable figure is Sir John Gosden (born 1951), a highly successful British horse racing trainer who has won numerous prestigious races, including the Epsom Derby and the Breeders' Cup Classic.

While the Gosden surname may have originated in southern England, it eventually spread to other parts of the country and even beyond, with individuals bearing this name making significant contributions in various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Gosden families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gosden 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. Surrey leads with 221 Gosdens recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.66x.

County Total Index
Surrey 221 7.66x
Hampshire 125 10.30x
Sussex 110 11.02x
Middlesex 60 1.01x
Kent 26 1.29x
Essex 19 1.63x
Devon 9 0.73x
Berkshire 8 1.80x
Lancashire 7 0.10x
Gloucestershire 3 0.26x
Hertfordshire 3 0.74x
Lanarkshire 3 0.16x
Durham 2 0.11x
Northamptonshire 2 0.36x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.28x
Cheshire 1 0.08x
Cumberland 1 0.20x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x
Monmouthshire 1 0.23x
Northumberland 1 0.11x
Oxfordshire 1 0.27x
Royal Navy 1 1.42x
Worcestershire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chobham in Surrey leads with 64 Gosdens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1257.37x.

Place Total Index
Chobham 64 1257.37x
Walton On Thames 28 211.32x
Eastbourne 27 58.77x
Portsea 21 8.83x
Chertsey 19 101.93x
West Ham 18 6.98x
Battersea 15 6.88x
Arreton 14 359.90x
Bisley 12 909.09x
Freshwater 12 216.22x
Midhurst 12 366.97x
Windlesham 12 220.99x
Brighton 11 5.46x
Lambeth 10 1.94x
Brading 9 55.80x
Carisbrooke 9 53.41x
Thorley 9 2368.42x
Wivelsfield 9 230.77x
Bramshott 8 267.56x
Islington London 8 1.39x
Northfleet 8 44.94x
Petersfield 8 239.52x
St Clement Danes London 8 65.31x
Wandsworth 8 14.04x
Colton 7 191.26x
Pirbright 7 476.19x
Plumstead 7 10.40x
Ryde 7 26.85x
St Pancras London 7 1.47x
Tooting Graveney 7 87.17x
Weybridge 7 113.09x
Wisborough Green 7 208.96x
Caterham 6 47.06x
Edmonton 6 12.58x
Ventnor 6 51.99x
Arlington 5 420.17x
Deptford St Paul 5 3.21x
Plymouth Charles The 5 9.21x
Sidlesham 5 260.42x
Willingdon 5 197.63x
Wilmington 5 1000.00x
Winkfield 5 67.75x
Amberley 4 270.27x
Hackney London 4 1.21x
Ham Kingston On Thames 4 314.96x
Northwood 4 23.15x
Shoreditch London 4 1.56x
Westminster St James 4 6.57x
Govan 3 0.63x
Hailsham 3 49.67x
Horsell 3 164.84x
Isleworth 3 11.40x
Newchurch 3 109.09x
Paddington London 3 1.38x
Shanklin 3 82.87x
Shinfield 3 114.94x
Southwark St Saviour 3 9.86x
St George Hanover Square 3 2.88x
West Horsley 3 247.93x
Bristol Temple 2 26.14x
Calbourne 2 153.85x
Chelsea London 2 1.12x
Chiddingly 2 111.11x
Duddington 2 273.97x
Esher 2 49.51x
Exeter St Sidwell 2 7.08x
Great Amwell 2 48.90x
Hampton London 2 20.56x
Horsham 2 10.31x
Hove 2 4.57x
Kensington London 2 0.61x
Kingston On Thames 2 2.89x
Newport 2 30.40x
Rogate 2 100.00x
Shalfleet 2 85.47x
Shildon 2 14.12x
West Grinstead 2 66.45x
Westbourne 2 40.24x
Whitwell 2 139.86x
Woolwich 2 2.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Elizabeth 26
Jane 20
Sarah 16
Alice 15
Ellen 10
Emily 10
Emma 9
Louisa 9
Annie 8
Caroline 8
Ann 7
Charlotte 7
Fanny 7
Edith 6
Eliza 6
Florence 6
Harriet 5
Lucy 5
Martha 5
Harriett 4
Kate 4
Maria 4
Agnes 3
Amy 3
Catherine 3
Clara 3
Esther 3
Minnie 3
Rose 3
Sophia 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Elenor 2
Elizth. 2
Helen 2
Katie 2
Mabel 2
Rebecca 2
Susan 2
Beatrice 1
Carrie 1
Elen 1
Elisa 1
Elizh. 1
Grace 1
Ha...tal 1
Hannah 1
Harriott 1
Thomas 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 36
George 35
Henry 23
James 23
John 15
Thomas 11
Alfred 10
Edward 10
Charles 9
Frederick 7
Harry 7
Richard 7
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Daniel 5
Stephen 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Isaac 4
Percy 4
Samuel 4
Herbert 3
Joseph 3
Allen 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Edmund 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Mark 2
Robert 2
Cavyley 1
Edgar 1
Emily 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederic 1
Hadley 1
Hentry 1
Holigod 1
Job 1
Lason 1
Launcelott 1
Luke 1
Morice 1
Morris 1
Morriss 1
Oscar 1
Peter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Gosden surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gosden surname in 1881?

In 1881, 608 people were recorded with the Gosden surname. That placed it at #5,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gosden surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 767 in 2016. That gives Gosden a modern rank of #7,156.

What does the Gosden surname mean?

From an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "dweller by the gorse-covered valley".

What does the Gosden map show?

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