NameCensus.

UK surname

Gully

A surname derived from a topographical feature, referring to someone living near a ravine, stream, or narrow valley.

In the 1881 census there were 517 people recorded with the Gully surname, ranking it #6,593 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 348, ranked #13,233, down from #6,593 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Clifton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include The Vale of Glamorgan, Isle of Wight and Blaenau Gwent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gully is 584 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 32.7%.

1881 census count

517

Ranked #6,593

Modern count

348

2016, ranked #13,233

Peak year

1901

584 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gully had 517 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,593 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 348 in 2016, ranked #13,233.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 584 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Gully surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gully surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gully 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 331 #7,044
1861 historical 340 #7,497
1881 historical 517 #6,593
1891 historical 503 #7,395
1901 historical 584 #7,219
1911 historical 549 #7,300
1997 modern 362 #11,866
1998 modern 379 #11,851
1999 modern 385 #11,771
2000 modern 380 #11,837
2001 modern 366 #11,998
2002 modern 355 #12,471
2003 modern 341 #12,655
2004 modern 338 #12,781
2005 modern 341 #12,605
2006 modern 363 #12,123
2007 modern 350 #12,600
2008 modern 339 #13,022
2009 modern 357 #12,766
2010 modern 355 #13,099
2011 modern 365 #12,694
2012 modern 362 #12,615
2013 modern 367 #12,707
2014 modern 361 #12,979
2015 modern 354 #13,063
2016 modern 348 #13,233

Geography

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Where Gullys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Clifton, St Philip and Jacob and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to The Vale of Glamorgan, Isle of Wight and Blaenau Gwent. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Clifton Gloucestershire
4 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 The Vale of Glamorgan 007 Vale of Glamorgan
2 Isle of Wight 010 Isle of Wight
3 Blaenau Gwent 004 Blaenau Gwent
4 The Vale of Glamorgan 009 Vale of Glamorgan
5 The Vale of Glamorgan 012 Vale of Glamorgan

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gully

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gully

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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, Gully 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

Gully 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

Gully 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 Gully is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Gully

The surname Gully is believed to have originated in England, likely during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "gulī," which referred to a deep and narrow ravine or a small stream. This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who lived near such geographical features or worked in related occupations, such as farming or mining.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gully can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This historical record mentions a person named "Godric de Gully," indicating the presence of the name in the 11th century.

During the 13th century, the surname Gully appeared in various legal and administrative documents across different regions of England. For example, in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1230, a certain "Richard de la Gulli" is mentioned, which is believed to be an early spelling variation of the name.

Over the centuries, the surname has seen numerous spelling variations, including Gulley, Gully, Gullye, and Gullick, among others. These variations often reflected regional dialects and the preferences of record-keepers at the time.

One notable individual with the surname Gully was John Gully (1783-1863), an English bare-knuckle boxer and entrepreneur. Born in Bath, Somerset, he had a successful boxing career and later became a respected horse breeder and racehorse owner.

Another prominent figure was James Manby Gully (1808-1883), a British physician and advocate of hydrotherapy and vegetarianism. He was a pioneer in the field of alternative medicine and authored several influential works on health and diet.

In the realm of literature, Edmund Gully (1783-1859) was an English writer and translator known for his translations of German works, including those of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.

John Gully (1619-1689), an English divine and scholar, served as the Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge from 1676 until his death. He contributed significantly to the study of ancient Greek literature and language.

Furthermore, William Court Gully (1835-1909), a British painter and member of the Royal Academy, gained recognition for his portraits and historical scenes, capturing the spirit of Victorian-era England through his artistic works.

While the surname Gully has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by individuals who immigrated or settled in different regions over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gully families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gully 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. Devon leads with 112 Gullys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.63x.

County Total Index
Devon 112 10.63x
Gloucestershire 84 8.46x
Somerset 82 10.06x
Middlesex 44 0.87x
Surrey 37 1.50x
Sussex 27 3.16x
Glamorgan 26 2.95x
Kent 25 1.45x
Monmouthshire 13 3.55x
Nottinghamshire 11 1.61x
Hampshire 9 0.87x
Yorkshire 8 0.16x
Cornwall 6 1.05x
Derbyshire 6 0.76x
Durham 6 0.40x
Lancashire 6 0.10x
Perthshire 4 1.76x
Essex 3 0.30x
Midlothian 3 0.44x
Staffordshire 3 0.18x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.33x
Royal Navy 1 1.66x
Warwickshire 1 0.08x
Wiltshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bitton in Gloucestershire leads with 25 Gullys recorded in 1881 and an index of 289.35x.

Place Total Index
Bitton 25 289.35x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 19 20.32x
Plympton St Mary 19 311.99x
Bedminster 17 22.20x
Bethnal Green London 16 7.28x
Lambeth 15 3.40x
Chedzoy 12 1935.48x
Bitton Oldland 11 108.37x
Bristol St George 11 23.95x
Holbeton 11 569.95x
Brixton 10 840.34x
Bromley 10 37.98x
Croydon 10 7.30x
Roath 10 24.98x
Creech St Michael 9 443.35x
Exeter St Leonard 9 312.50x
Seaford 9 310.34x
Bridgewater 8 36.17x
Clifton 8 15.94x
Milborne Port 8 245.40x
South Petherton 8 190.02x
Aberdare 7 11.57x
Broadwater 7 35.75x
Deptford St Paul 7 5.25x
St Pancras London 7 1.72x
Chittlehampton 6 230.77x
Heene 6 408.16x
Mangotsfield 6 60.61x
Mynyddyslwyn 6 41.55x
Nottingham St Mary 6 3.40x
Paddington London 6 3.22x
Stoke Damerel 6 8.13x
Trevethin 6 17.36x
Diptford 5 434.78x
East Stonehouse 5 24.08x
Exeter Heavitree 5 63.61x
Farnham 5 26.07x
Fowey 5 190.11x
Glossop Dale 5 13.47x
Pinxton 5 124.07x
Plumstead 5 8.68x
Sheffield 5 3.13x
Tamerton Foliott 5 246.31x
Wells St Cuthbert 5 89.93x
Bow London 4 6.21x
Brighton 4 2.32x
Perth East Church 4 18.67x
Portsea 4 1.97x
Staverton 4 310.08x
Tetcott 4 869.57x
Bromley London 3 2.69x
Chester Le Street 3 25.93x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 3 1.10x
Egg Buckland 3 166.67x
Ermington 3 78.33x
Norton Sub Hamdon 3 322.58x
Plymouth Charles The 3 6.46x
Plympton Maurice 3 150.75x
Somerton 3 90.09x
Southwark St George Martyr 3 2.94x
Ugborough 3 117.65x
Wednesfield 3 11.93x
West Ham 3 1.36x
Whitchurch 3 340.91x
Aldershot 2 5.75x
Amport 2 169.49x
Cardiff St Mary 2 4.12x
Leeds 2 0.71x
Llanguick 2 12.67x
Neath 2 11.15x
Queen Charlton 2 1000.00x
Shoreditch London 2 0.91x
Siston 2 112.99x
Swansea Town 2 2.77x
Whickham 2 14.43x
Wolborough 2 15.02x
Devonport 1 8.26x
Harrow On The Hill 1 9.89x
Much Woolton 1 12.27x
Toxteth Park 1 0.49x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 31
John 25
James 18
George 15
Charles 13
Henry 11
Thomas 11
Robert 10
Albert 8
Edward 7
Samuel 7
Alfred 5
Arthur 5
Frederick 5
Harry 4
Joseph 4
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Frank 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Philip 2
Phillip 2
Reginald 2
Richard 2
Timothy 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Briscomb 1
Cuthbert 1
Daniel 1
Edwd. 1
Emmanuel 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Grierson 1
H.E. 1
Harold 1
Hubert 1
Joshua 1
Lacy 1
Lavinia 1
Mark 1
Percy 1
Samual 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Waltr.G. 1
Wm.H. 1

FAQ

Gully surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gully surname in 1881?

In 1881, 517 people were recorded with the Gully surname. That placed it at #6,593 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gully surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 348 in 2016. That gives Gully a modern rank of #13,233.

What does the Gully surname mean?

A surname derived from a topographical feature, referring to someone living near a ravine, stream, or narrow valley.

What does the Gully map show?

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