Find out how popular the last name Gadd is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Gadd.

Gadd, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Gadd surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gadd in America

Gadd is the 11308th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gadd surname appeared 2,793 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Gadd.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gadd to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Gadd

The surname Gadd is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gad," meaning a goad or metal-tipped stick used for driving cattle or oxen. This connection suggests that the name may have initially been an occupational surname for someone who worked as a herder or drover.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Gadd can be found in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. One notable mention appears in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273, where a certain William Gad is listed. Another early reference is in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which includes the name John Gadde.

During the 14th century, the name appears to have spread across various regions of England, with variations in spelling such as Gad, Gadde, and Gadd emerging. Some examples include Thomas Gad, recorded in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire in 1379, and John Gadde, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset from 1384.

As for place names associated with the surname, there are several localities in England that may have contributed to its development or adoption. For instance, the village of Gadd in Hertfordshire, as well as Gaddesby in Leicestershire, could have served as sources for the name.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Gadd throughout history include:

1. Thomas Gadd (c. 1570-1638), an English clergyman and author, known for his works on theology and philosophy.
2. John Gadd (1590-1657), an English MP who served as a member of Parliament for Midhurst in the 17th century.
3. Phineas Gadd (1649-1718), a prominent English clockmaker and inventor, credited with several innovations in clock design.
4. Sir Archibald Gadd (1801-1876), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a rear admiral.
5. Henry Gadd (1839-1919), a British architect and surveyor, known for his work on several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

The Gadd surname has a rich history and has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including clergymen, politicians, inventors, military officers, and architects, among others. Its origins can be traced back to the occupational ties of medieval England, where it may have initially been associated with those who worked as herders or drovers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gadd

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Gadd.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Gadd was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Gadd has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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