NameCensus.

UK surname

Goulding

An English occupational surname for a keeper of gold or someone who worked with gold.

In the 1881 census there were 2,927 people recorded with the Goulding surname, ranking it #1,530 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,945, ranked #1,368, up from #1,530 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Forest of Dean, Chorley and Bassetlaw.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Goulding is 5,269 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.9%.

1881 census count

2,927

Ranked #1,530

Modern count

4,945

2016, ranked #1,368

Peak year

2010

5,269 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Goulding had 2,927 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,530 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,945 in 2016, ranked #1,368.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,483 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Goulding surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Goulding surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Goulding 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 1,648 #1,745
1861 historical 1,660 #1,725
1881 historical 2,927 #1,530
1891 historical 3,304 #1,440
1901 historical 4,012 #1,406
1911 historical 4,483 #1,152
1997 modern 5,039 #1,300
1998 modern 5,208 #1,301
1999 modern 5,248 #1,301
2000 modern 5,214 #1,304
2001 modern 5,089 #1,307
2002 modern 5,179 #1,308
2003 modern 5,071 #1,304
2004 modern 5,070 #1,305
2005 modern 4,983 #1,312
2006 modern 5,019 #1,304
2007 modern 5,061 #1,303
2008 modern 5,095 #1,307
2009 modern 5,213 #1,306
2010 modern 5,269 #1,319
2011 modern 5,159 #1,328
2012 modern 4,986 #1,341
2013 modern 5,078 #1,342
2014 modern 5,052 #1,359
2015 modern 4,969 #1,366
2016 modern 4,945 #1,368

Geography

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Where Gouldings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, Wigan and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Forest of Dean, Chorley, Bassetlaw and Wigan. 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Wigan Lancashire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Forest of Dean 001 Forest of Dean
2 Forest of Dean 002 Forest of Dean
3 Chorley 013 Chorley
4 Bassetlaw 004 Bassetlaw
5 Wigan 002 Wigan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Goulding

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Goulding

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Goulding surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Goulding household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Goulding 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

Goulding is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Goulding

The surname Goulding is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "golde" meaning "yellow" or "golden-haired." It was initially a nickname given to someone with yellow or golden hair, which later became a hereditary surname.

The earliest recorded instance of the Goulding surname dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Goldwin" and "Goldwine." These early spellings suggest the name's connection to the Old English words "golde" and "wine," meaning "friend" or "protector."

During the Middle Ages, the Goulding surname was prevalent in various regions of England, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. The name was also found in the Lincolnshire area, where it was sometimes spelled as "Golding" or "Goulden."

One notable historical figure with the Goulding surname was Arthur Goulding (1537-1612), an English divine and academic who served as the Warden of Merton College, Oxford. He was a renowned scholar and author of several religious works.

In the 17th century, John Goulding (1633-1700) was a prominent English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Salisbury. He was also a successful merchant and landowner.

Another notable individual was Edmund Goulding (1621-1697), an English Puritan minister and author who played a significant role in the religious debates of his time. His writings on theology and church governance were highly influential.

The Goulding surname also has connections to place names in England. For instance, the village of Goulding Green in Suffolk is believed to have derived its name from the Goulding family who resided there.

Reverend Edward Goulding (1735-1816) was an English clergyman and author who served as the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral. He was known for his literary works and contributions to the field of theology.

As the Goulding family spread across different regions of England, variations in spelling emerged, such as "Golding," "Goulden," and "Goulden." These variations were often influenced by local dialects and the preferences of individual scribes or record-keepers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Goulding families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Goulding 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 728 Gouldings recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.15x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 728 2.15x
Yorkshire 304 1.08x
Middlesex 292 1.02x
Gloucestershire 211 3.77x
Lincolnshire 176 3.86x
Cheshire 128 2.03x
Surrey 123 0.88x
Cumberland 120 4.88x
Hampshire 113 1.93x
Staffordshire 71 0.74x
Kent 65 0.67x
Warwickshire 59 0.82x
Wiltshire 56 2.22x
Monmouthshire 48 2.33x
Norfolk 43 0.98x
Durham 34 0.40x
Nottinghamshire 34 0.88x
Somerset 32 0.70x
Berkshire 30 1.40x
Glamorgan 24 0.48x
Westmorland 22 3.51x
Cambridgeshire 20 1.11x
Herefordshire 19 1.62x
Northamptonshire 18 0.67x
Devon 16 0.27x
Leicestershire 15 0.47x
Dorset 14 0.75x
Hertfordshire 14 0.71x
Lanarkshire 13 0.14x
Midlothian 11 0.29x
Northumberland 11 0.26x
Caernarfonshire 8 0.69x
Denbighshire 8 0.74x
Sussex 8 0.17x
Derbyshire 7 0.16x
Shropshire 7 0.28x
Worcestershire 6 0.16x
Oxfordshire 4 0.23x
Essex 3 0.05x
Royal Navy 3 0.88x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.12x
Rutland 2 0.95x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.13x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.18x
Suffolk 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ince In Makerfield in Lancashire leads with 63 Gouldings recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.99x.

Place Total Index
Ince In Makerfield 63 39.99x
Wigan 55 11.62x
Arlingham 46 751.63x
Aspull 42 52.74x
Birmingham 36 1.50x
Widnes 33 13.51x
Holy Trinity 31 4.56x
Chelsea London 30 3.49x
Barnsley 29 9.94x
Islington London 28 1.01x
Lambeth 27 1.09x
Stoke Upon Trent 26 2.55x
Chorley 25 13.16x
Penrith 25 27.55x
Salford 25 2.51x
Toxteth Park 25 2.18x
Newcastle Under Lyme 24 14.08x
Oldham 23 2.10x
Barrow In Furness 22 4.78x
Clerkenwell London 22 3.27x
Pemberton 21 15.56x
Shevington 21 135.66x
Fulham London 20 4.83x
Preston 19 2.10x
St Pancras London 19 0.83x
Birkenhead 18 3.59x
Camberwell 18 0.99x
Over 18 28.12x
Ross 18 38.68x
Ardsley 17 52.18x
Bromley London 17 2.71x
Hawkesbury 17 89.24x
Hindley 17 11.78x
Liverpool 17 0.83x
Moulton 17 293.10x
Sheffield 17 1.89x
Aston 16 0.81x
Brightside Bierlow 16 2.89x
Denaby 16 100.06x
Lancaster 16 7.94x
Southampton St Mary 16 4.35x
St George Hanover Square 16 3.18x
St Marylebone London 16 1.05x
St Swithin Lincoln 16 22.31x
Workington 16 11.38x
Kirkdale 15 2.63x
Sherston Magna 15 98.62x
Shoreditch London 14 1.13x
Chorlton On Medlock 13 2.42x
Gainsborough 13 12.09x
Greenwich 13 2.86x
Hackney London 13 0.81x
St Giles In Fields London 13 9.29x
St Maryle Wigford 13 36.68x
Tarporley 13 98.56x
Caldewgate 12 8.92x
Charnock Richard 12 179.37x
Ecclesall Bierlow 12 2.09x
Everton 12 1.11x
Newport 12 12.20x
Peterborough 12 6.18x
Trevethin 12 6.16x
Battersea 11 1.05x
Beverley St Mary 11 26.64x
Lymington 11 25.59x
Manchester 11 0.72x
Quedgley 11 235.55x
Sculcoates 11 2.45x
Southwark St George Martyr 11 1.92x
Tankersley 11 52.18x
Warley 11 13.46x
West Derby 11 1.11x
Clapham 10 2.80x
Eccleston In Chorley 10 113.77x
Hammersmith London 10 1.42x
Michelmersh 10 88.18x
Midsomer Norton 10 23.11x
St Thomas Winchester 10 24.22x
Warcop 10 142.25x
Wharton 10 29.15x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 209
Elizabeth 107
Sarah 86
Ann 76
Jane 65
Margaret 49
Alice 48
Ellen 46
Annie 45
Emma 40
Hannah 29
Eliza 27
Martha 24
Emily 23
Catherine 21
Harriet 21
Florence 20
Maria 19
Fanny 17
Charlotte 16
Ada 15
Louisa 15
Edith 13
Frances 13
Caroline 11
Susan 11
Susannah 10
Amelia 9
Betsy 8
Isabella 8
Kate 8
Elizth. 7
Esther 7
Harriett 7
Bridget 6
Matilda 6
Agnes 5
Clara 5
E. 5
Julia 5
Lilly 5
Rebecca 5
Rose 5
Selina 5
Anne 4
Gertrude 4
Grace 4
Jessie 4
Mabel 4
Rosa 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 229
William 172
George 122
Thomas 121
James 95
Henry 63
Joseph 61
Charles 55
Richard 43
Edward 38
Robert 29
Alfred 23
Albert 20
Frederick 19
Harry 19
Walter 19
Arthur 18
Patrick 14
Michael 12
Benjamin 11
Samuel 11
Daniel 10
Frank 10
David 9
Ernest 9
Peter 9
Thos. 9
Wm. 8
Francis 7
Geo. 7
Stephen 7
Herbert 6
Edmund 5
Tom 5
Edwin 4
Martin 4
W. 4
Willm. 4
Andrew 3
Anthony 3
Bartholomew 3
Chas. 3
Christopher 3
Fredrick 3
Jacob 3
Jno. 3
Mark 3
Ralph 3
Simon 3
Amos 2

FAQ

Goulding surname: questions and answers

How common was the Goulding surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,927 people were recorded with the Goulding surname. That placed it at #1,530 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Goulding surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,945 in 2016. That gives Goulding a modern rank of #1,368.

What does the Goulding surname mean?

An English occupational surname for a keeper of gold or someone who worked with gold.

What does the Goulding map show?

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