NameCensus.

UK surname

Gowland

A surname derived from a place name referring to someone who lived near an open common area.

In the 1881 census there were 982 people recorded with the Gowland surname, ranking it #3,961 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,532, ranked #4,041, down from #3,961 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Gateshead and Sunderland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gowland is 1,609 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 56.0%.

1881 census count

982

Ranked #3,961

Modern count

1,532

2016, ranked #4,041

Peak year

2002

1,609 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gowland had 982 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,961 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,532 in 2016, ranked #4,041.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,520 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Gowland surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gowland surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gowland 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 706 #3,696
1861 historical 659 #4,069
1881 historical 982 #3,961
1891 historical 1,093 #3,867
1901 historical 1,355 #3,703
1911 historical 1,520 #3,185
1997 modern 1,582 #3,731
1998 modern 1,595 #3,854
1999 modern 1,604 #3,869
2000 modern 1,584 #3,887
2001 modern 1,572 #3,842
2002 modern 1,609 #3,831
2003 modern 1,542 #3,903
2004 modern 1,536 #3,918
2005 modern 1,489 #3,986
2006 modern 1,515 #3,936
2007 modern 1,513 #3,973
2008 modern 1,519 #3,973
2009 modern 1,545 #4,008
2010 modern 1,604 #3,947
2011 modern 1,565 #3,993
2012 modern 1,589 #3,870
2013 modern 1,588 #3,946
2014 modern 1,593 #3,952
2015 modern 1,558 #3,992
2016 modern 1,532 #4,041

Geography

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Where Gowlands are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Gateshead, St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles, Bishop Wearmouth and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Gateshead and Sunderland. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Gateshead Durham
3 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
4 Bishop Wearmouth Durham
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 042 County Durham
2 Gateshead 025 Gateshead
3 Sunderland 006 Sunderland
4 Gateshead 026 Gateshead
5 County Durham 014 County Durham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gowland

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gowland

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gowland, 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 Gowland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Gowland 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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Gowland is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gowland is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gowland falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gowland is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gowland

The surname Gowland originated in England during the late Middle Ages, derived from the Old English word "gōlding" meaning "a plant with yellow flowers." This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked with such plants.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which mentions a John Goldyng. Similar spellings like Goulding and Golding were also common in medieval records. Over time, the name evolved into its modern form of Gowland.

In the 16th century, the Gowland name was concentrated in the West Midlands region of England, particularly in Worcestershire and neighboring counties. Records from this era include references to individuals like Richard Gowland, a landowner in Worcestershire born around 1530.

As the centuries progressed, the Gowland family spread across various parts of England. Notably, in the 17th century, a branch of the family settled in the northern county of Durham. One prominent figure from this line was William Gowland (1612-1689), a successful merchant and alderman in the city of Durham.

The 18th century saw the emergence of notable Gowlands in different fields. For instance, Peter Gowland (1719-1794) was a respected surgeon and apothecary in London, while Thomas Gowland (1730-1809) was a clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Shalfleet on the Isle of Wight.

In the 19th century, the Gowland name gained recognition through individuals like William Gowland (1842-1922), a renowned chemist and mineralogist who made significant contributions to the study of rare earth elements. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Another notable figure from this period was John Gowland (1824-1890), a British artist and author who specialized in depicting Japanese scenes and culture. He lived and worked in Japan for several decades and played a crucial role in introducing Japanese art to the Western world.

As the centuries passed, the Gowland surname continued to be represented in various professions and regions, with families carrying on the name's legacy across generations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gowland families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gowland 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. Durham leads with 563 Gowlands recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.76x.

County Total Index
Durham 563 19.76x
Yorkshire 251 2.64x
Middlesex 63 0.66x
Northumberland 39 2.74x
Surrey 12 0.26x
Lancashire 9 0.08x
Hampshire 7 0.36x
Sussex 7 0.43x
Staffordshire 6 0.19x
Derbyshire 4 0.27x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.31x
Warwickshire 4 0.17x
Suffolk 3 0.26x
Kent 2 0.06x
Berkshire 1 0.14x
Cumberland 1 0.12x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.39x
East Lothian 1 0.79x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 0.72x
Leicestershire 1 0.09x
Renfrewshire 1 0.13x
Worcestershire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stanhope in Durham leads with 130 Gowlands recorded in 1881 and an index of 441.73x.

Place Total Index
Stanhope 130 441.73x
Bishopwearmouth 32 13.08x
Gateshead 28 13.12x
Elvet 22 106.95x
Hartlepool 20 49.38x
Stockton On Tees 19 13.83x
Urpeth 18 324.32x
Enfield 15 23.87x
Cornforth 14 166.87x
Hackney London 14 2.61x
West Rainton 14 158.73x
Whitworth 13 62.32x
Bournmoor 12 267.86x
Chilton 12 134.83x
Stranton 12 12.51x
East Rainton 11 199.28x
Helmington Row 11 82.89x
Thornaby 11 31.01x
Cocken 10 561.80x
Kirby Under Dale 10 1020.41x
Crook Billy Row 9 24.66x
Muggleswick 9 326.09x
Skelton In Guisbrough 9 35.05x
Thornley 9 87.29x
Willington 9 54.64x
York St George 9 120.32x
Byker 8 11.35x
Conside Knitsley 8 36.10x
Knottingley 8 47.96x
Lambeth 8 0.96x
Lamesley 8 52.15x
Lynesack Softley 8 103.90x
Middleton In Teesdale 8 106.38x
St Giles 8 44.97x
Tanfield 8 23.61x
Westoe 8 4.95x
Wilton In Guisbrough 8 188.24x
Leeds 7 1.31x
Middlesbrough 7 5.66x
Wolsingham 7 26.95x
Crossgate 6 48.15x
Esh 6 28.93x
Fenwick 6 937.50x
Gate Fulford 6 27.06x
Gatenby 6 3529.41x
Great Ribston Cum 6 952.38x
Linthorpe 6 10.59x
Middleton In Pickering 6 645.16x
Monkwearmouth Shore 6 10.79x
Neswick 6 2500.00x
North Bedburn 6 75.38x
Northallerton 6 49.51x
St George Hanover Square 6 3.55x
Thirsk 6 54.79x
Waldridge 6 125.79x
Westgate 6 6.80x
Widdington 6 7500.00x
Wolverhampton 6 2.41x
Chirton 5 15.50x
Christchurch 5 11.75x
Dunnington In York 5 204.92x
Eastbourne 5 6.73x
Great Lumley 5 102.46x
Longhurst 5 181.16x
Roecliffe 5 625.00x
St George In East London 5 5.55x
Westerton 5 328.95x
Alfreton 4 8.78x
Balne 4 341.88x
Bethnal Green London 4 0.96x
Bishop Middleham 4 261.44x
Bishop Wilton Cum 4 218.58x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 2.07x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 5.41x
Ripon 4 18.17x
Studley Roger 4 816.33x
Templenewsam Thorpe 4 202.02x
Usworth 4 26.44x
Warsop 4 116.96x
Wingate 4 20.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 95
Elizabeth 49
Jane 42
Margaret 35
Ann 27
Sarah 27
Annie 18
Hannah 12
Emma 11
Isabella 11
Alice 9
Ada 6
Dorothy 6
Esther 6
Harriet 6
Eliza 5
Anne 4
Ellen 4
Emily 4
Gertrude 4
Maria 4
Ruth 4
Catherine 3
Eleanor 3
Frances 3
Isabel 3
Louisa 3
Martha 3
Matilda 3
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Eliz. 2
Elizibth. 2
Fanny 2
Jessy 2
Kate 2
Minnie 2
Phoebe 2
Rose 2
Aila 1
Annabella 1
Christina 1
Elizabet 1
Elizth.A. 1
Eloner 1
Isaa. 1
Isaa.D. 1
Thomasine 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 78
Thomas 55
George 41
William 41
Joseph 31
Robert 29
James 21
Ralph 21
Charles 15
Henry 15
Frederick 8
Edward 7
Francis 6
Lewis 5
David 4
Matthew 4
Alfred 3
Ambrose 3
Arthur 3
Christopher 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Fred 3
Geo. 3
Richard 3
Thompson 3
Abraham 2
Alex 2
Andrew 2
Anthony 2
Benjamin 2
Clement 2
Ferguson 2
Harrison 2
Jacob 2
Mark 2
Mitchell 2
Nicholas 2
Robt. 2
Robt.W. 2
Stockton 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alexander 1
C.A.K. 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Emond 1
J.T. 1
Jno. 1

FAQ

Gowland surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gowland surname in 1881?

In 1881, 982 people were recorded with the Gowland surname. That placed it at #3,961 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gowland surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,532 in 2016. That gives Gowland a modern rank of #4,041.

What does the Gowland surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name referring to someone who lived near an open common area.

What does the Gowland map show?

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