NameCensus.

UK surname

Goulder

A locational or topographic surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "deep valley or hollow".

In the 1881 census there were 420 people recorded with the Goulder surname, ranking it #7,694 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 355, ranked #13,020, down from #7,694 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stapleford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Arun, Winchester and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goulder is 585 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 15.5%.

1881 census count

420

Ranked #7,694

Modern count

355

2016, ranked #13,020

Peak year

1911

585 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goulder had 420 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,694 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 355 in 2016, ranked #13,020.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 585 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Goulder surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goulder surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goulder 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 279 #8,067
1861 historical 303 #8,365
1881 historical 420 #7,694
1891 historical 500 #7,430
1901 historical 572 #7,333
1911 historical 585 #6,965
1997 modern 357 #11,998
1998 modern 368 #12,096
1999 modern 369 #12,147
2000 modern 359 #12,333
2001 modern 356 #12,228
2002 modern 352 #12,557
2003 modern 348 #12,452
2004 modern 330 #12,994
2005 modern 321 #13,195
2006 modern 335 #12,883
2007 modern 336 #12,975
2008 modern 330 #13,257
2009 modern 346 #13,075
2010 modern 359 #12,975
2011 modern 350 #13,086
2012 modern 356 #12,784
2013 modern 370 #12,626
2014 modern 371 #12,689
2015 modern 365 #12,743
2016 modern 355 #13,020

Geography

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Where Goulders are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stapleford, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Great Yarmouth and Sheffield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Arun, Winchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Rushcliffe and Uttlesford. 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 Stapleford Derbyshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Great Yarmouth Norfolk
5 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Arun 002 Arun
2 Winchester 014 Winchester
3 Newcastle upon Tyne 026 Newcastle upon Tyne
4 Rushcliffe 015 Rushcliffe
5 Uttlesford 003 Uttlesford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goulder

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goulder

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Goulder, 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 Goulder surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Goulder 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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Goulder is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Goulder is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Goulder 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 Goulder 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 Goulder, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Goulder

The surname Goulder is an English name that originated in the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gyldan," which means "to gild." This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname referring to someone who worked as a gilder, someone who applied gold leaf or other precious metals to surfaces.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which mentions a Robert le Gildere from Cambridgeshire. This spelling variation, "le Gildere," provides further evidence of the name's connection to the gilding trade.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the name appeared in various records across England, particularly in the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire. Some early examples include John Gyldere, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327, and William Gyldere, mentioned in the Court Rolls of Norfolk in 1347.

In the 15th century, the name began to take on its modern spelling of "Goulder." This can be seen in records such as the Chancery Proceedings of 1487, which mentions a Thomas Goulder from Cambridgeshire.

One notable individual with the Goulder surname was Thomas Goulder, a prominent English merchant and alderman who lived in the early 17th century. He was born in 1570 and served as the Lord Mayor of London from 1624 to 1625.

Another historical figure was John Goulder, a distinguished English clergyman and scholar who lived from 1635 to 1711. He was the Rector of Chelmsford and Archdeacon of Essex.

In the 18th century, Edward Goulder (1751-1823) was a respected English architect known for his work on various churches and country houses in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The 19th century saw the birth of William Goulder (1846-1921), an influential English artist and illustrator who specialized in scenes of rural life and landscapes.

Finally, one of the more recent notable individuals with the Goulder surname was Michael Desmond Goulder (1927-2010), a prominent British biblical scholar and theologian who made significant contributions to the study of the New Testament.

While the Goulder name has its roots in the gilding trade, it has since become associated with various professions and achievements throughout its long history in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goulder families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goulder 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 103 Goulders recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.61x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 103 18.61x
Norfolk 78 12.35x
Yorkshire 58 1.43x
Surrey 36 1.80x
Lancashire 34 0.70x
Staffordshire 16 1.15x
Hampshire 11 1.31x
Buckinghamshire 10 4.03x
Cheshire 10 1.10x
Morayshire 10 15.67x
Derbyshire 8 1.24x
Oxfordshire 8 3.15x
Middlesex 7 0.17x
Suffolk 6 1.20x
Gloucestershire 5 0.62x
Devon 4 0.47x
Kent 4 0.29x
Berkshire 3 0.97x
Durham 3 0.25x
Warwickshire 3 0.29x
Cumberland 1 0.28x
Midlothian 1 0.18x
Monmouthshire 1 0.34x
Royal Navy 1 2.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lenton in Nottinghamshire leads with 28 Goulders recorded in 1881 and an index of 214.72x.

Place Total Index
Lenton 28 214.72x
Nether Hallam 22 39.96x
Heigham 21 61.97x
Stapleford 17 377.78x
Croydon 15 13.51x
Greasley 15 120.10x
Camberwell 14 5.34x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 12 31.65x
Radford 12 42.67x
Birkdale 9 72.99x
Brightside Bierlow 9 11.28x
Fawley 9 2142.86x
Norwich St Michael At 9 245.90x
Norwich St Paul 9 238.10x
Cromdale 8 155.95x
Sheffield 8 6.18x
Toxteth Park 8 4.85x
Wednesbury 8 23.09x
West Derby 8 5.61x
Basford 7 27.44x
Great Yarmouth 7 13.38x
Henley On Thames 7 134.62x
Monks Coppenhall 7 20.46x
Nottingham St Peter 7 113.45x
Nottingham St Nicholas 6 79.58x
Portsea 6 3.64x
Redenhall 6 244.90x
Rugeley 6 60.30x
Kingston On Thames 5 10.40x
Lowestoft 5 21.16x
Alfreton 4 20.48x
Caistor Next Yarmouth 4 180.18x
Garston 4 27.82x
Nottingham St Mary 4 2.79x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 6.07x
Snenton 4 18.39x
Tidenham 4 320.00x
Birmingham 3 0.87x
Burgh St Margaret 3 384.62x
Chelsea London 3 2.42x
Chester Le Street 3 31.98x
Chesterfield 3 12.45x
Church Coppenhall 3 74.07x
Hulme 3 2.95x
Ropley 3 243.90x
Selston 3 48.54x
Wortwell 3 517.24x
Acton 2 8.31x
Barton Turf 2 408.16x
Bethnal Green London 2 1.12x
Lewisham 2 2.68x
Manningham 2 3.99x
Millbrook 2 9.43x
Needham 2 444.44x
Norwich St Clement 2 27.32x
Ormesby St Michael 2 500.00x
Rowley Regis 2 5.18x
Runham 2 158.73x
Sunninghill 2 46.73x
Wimbotsham 2 250.00x
Wortley In Bramley 2 6.21x
Bellie 1 34.72x
Caversham 1 19.72x
Eaton St Andrew 1 57.14x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 1.21x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.45x
Eskdale Wasdale 1 133.33x
Forres 1 14.90x
Gloucester Kingsholm St 1 33.33x
Harpley 1 166.67x
Hoveton St John 1 243.90x
Kessingland 1 57.80x
Lambeth 1 0.28x
Putney 1 5.34x
Ramsgate 1 4.37x
Reading St Giles 1 3.31x
Royal Navy 1 2.39x
Scarborough 1 2.70x
Wardleworth 1 3.59x
Wraysbury 1 107.53x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 27
Elizabeth 18
Sarah 12
Eliza 10
Ellen 8
Alice 7
Annie 6
Hannah 6
Charlotte 5
Emily 5
Harriet 5
Jane 5
Catherine 4
Clara 4
Emma 4
Harriett 4
Frances 3
Maria 3
Matilda 3
Ann 2
Edith 2
Eleanor 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Georgianna 2
Kate 2
Laura 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Rose 2
Virtue 2
Anne 1
Bertha 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Christian 1
Christiana 1
E. 1
Elizth. 1
Ethel 1
Evelina 1
Faith 1
Flora 1
Francs 1
Grace 1
Helen 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Mariam 1
Marian 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 27
John 25
George 19
Henry 16
James 15
Robert 9
Charles 8
Thomas 8
Alfred 5
Edwin 5
Frederick 5
Joseph 5
Albert 4
Frank 4
Herbert 4
Richard 4
Arthur 3
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Francis 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Samuel 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Aaron 1
Abraham 1
Barnett 1
Caleb 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Edmund 1
Enoch 1
Garibaldi 1
Geo. 1
Griffin 1
Henery 1
Infant 1
Issac 1
Jesse 1
Minotte 1
Philip 1
Ranger 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Thos.H. 1
Wallie 1
Walter 1
Whittfield 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Goulder surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goulder surname in 1881?

In 1881, 420 people were recorded with the Goulder surname. That placed it at #7,694 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goulder surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 355 in 2016. That gives Goulder a modern rank of #13,020.

What does the Goulder surname mean?

A locational or topographic surname derived from a Middle English word meaning "deep valley or hollow".

What does the Goulder map show?

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