Gabin
A surname derived from the French word "gaber," meaning to mock or make fun of.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 274 Americans carry the last name Gabin. That puts it at #78,040 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,250,928 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gabin surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
274
1 in 1,250,928
Census rank
#78,040
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
245
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 245 bearers of the surname Gabin in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 78040th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gabin, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 51.0%. The next largest groups are White (35.5%) and Black (7.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gabin
The surname Gabin originated in France during the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old French personal name Gabin, a diminutive of the Germanic name Gabo. This name likely comes from the Proto-Germanic root "gab-," meaning "to give." The earliest known record of the surname Gabin dates back to the 13th century in Normandy, France.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners in England after the Norman Conquest, there are no entries for the surname Gabin, suggesting it was not yet present in England at that time. However, the name began appearing in English records in the 14th century, likely brought over by Norman settlers.
One of the earliest recorded bearers of the Gabin surname was Jean Gabin (c. 1330-1395), a French nobleman and landowner from Brittany. Another notable figure was Gilles Gabin (1565-1629), a French painter and engraver known for his religious works.
In the 17th century, the Gabin surname spread to other parts of Europe, including the Netherlands. Jan Gabin (1615-1681) was a Dutch merchant and trader who helped establish trade routes with the Dutch East Indies.
As the surname spread, it also underwent variations in spelling, including Gabain, Gaban, and Gabain. These variations were often influenced by local dialects and pronunciation.
In the 19th century, Jean-Baptiste Gabin (1821-1894) was a French philosopher and writer who published works on ethics and morality. Another notable bearer of the name was the French actor Jean Gabin (1904-1976), one of the most famous actors of the 20th century, known for his roles in films such as "La Grande Illusion" and "Pépé le Moko."
While the surname Gabin is relatively uncommon, it continues to be present in various parts of Europe, particularly in France and regions with French cultural influence. However, historical records and notable figures provide insight into the origins and evolution of this surname over several centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gabin
Among Census respondents with the surname Gabin, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 51.0%. The next largest groups are White (35.5%) and Black (7.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Gabin bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Gabin surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Hispanic or Latino51.0%
- White35.5%
- Black or African American7.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander4.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gabin surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #78,040 | #78,040 | 0.0% |
| Count | 245 | 245 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gabin bearers went from 245 to 245 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #78,040 to #78,040.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gabin
FAQ
Gabin surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gabin?
The surname Gabin holds position #78,040 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 274 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gabin surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gabin, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic at 51.0%. The next largest groups are White (35.5%) and Black (7.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.