Find out how popular the first name Galloway has been for the last 27 years (from 1989 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Galloway by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Galloway is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Galloway.

The history of the first name Galloway

The given name Galloway is of Scottish origin, derived from the place name of Galloway, a region in southwestern Scotland. The name Galloway itself is believed to come from the Old Gaelic word "Gall-Gaidhealaibh," which translates to "Stranger-Gaels" or "Foreign Gaels."

This name reflects the history of the Galloway region, which was once inhabited by a mixed population of Gaels and Scandinavian settlers during the Viking Age. The Gaels referred to the Scandinavian settlers as "Gall" or "foreigners," leading to the region's name.

The earliest recorded use of the name Galloway dates back to the 12th century, when it appeared in historical records related to the Galloway region. One of the earliest known individuals with the name was Uchtred of Galloway, a 12th-century Lord of Galloway who played a significant role in Scottish history.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Galloway. One such person was Thomas Galloway (1796-1851), a British engineer and inventor who contributed to the development of early steam engines and locomotives. Another was Joseph Galloway (1731-1803), an American politician and loyalist during the American Revolutionary War.

In the world of sports, Galloway has been a prominent name. Arthur Galloway (1892-1963) was an American sprinter who won a gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. More recently, Wendell Galloway (born 1978) is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL).

In literature, the name Galloway is associated with the Scottish writer John Galloway (1927-2018), known for his novels and short stories set in Scotland. Additionally, Galloway is the middle name of the American author John Updike (1932-2009), who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice.

While the name Galloway is not as common today as it once was, it remains a part of historical records and has been carried by notable individuals across various fields throughout the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Galloway was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Galloway, please contact us.

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