Galland
A locational surname derived from a place name, possibly related to the French word "gale" meaning a bare or windswept place.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 925 Americans carry the last name Galland. That puts it at #29,198 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.27 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 370,545 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Galland 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
925
1 in 370,545
Census rank
#29,198
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
811
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 811 bearers of the surname Galland in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 29198th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Galland, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.7%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Galland
The surname GALLAND originated in France during the medieval period, deriving from the French word "galer," which meant "to rejoice" or "to make merry." It was likely an occupational name initially given to jesters, minstrels, or entertainers who brought joy and merriment to people through their performances or activities.
The name was particularly prevalent in the northern regions of France, such as Normandy and Brittany, where it first emerged. However, it eventually spread to other parts of the country and even beyond its borders as people migrated.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the GALLAND surname can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This suggests that individuals bearing this surname had already established a presence in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.
Notable individuals with the GALLAND surname include Antoine Galland (1646-1715), a French orientalist and archaeologist best known for his translation of the Arabian Nights. His work played a significant role in introducing Middle Eastern literature and culture to a Western audience.
Another prominent figure was Claude Galland (1672-1761), a French geographer and cartographer who served as the first Chief Hydrographic Engineer of the Depot des Cartes et Plans de la Marine, a French government institution responsible for producing nautical charts and maps.
In the realm of literature, Auguste Galland (1822-1902), a French writer and dramatist, made his mark with several plays and novels, including "La Terre Promise" and "Les Émigrés."
The GALLAND name also has a connection to the military. Cyrille Galland (1866-1955) was a French general who distinguished himself during World War I, particularly in the Battle of Verdun.
Lastly, Jean-Claude Galland (1941-), a French racing driver, achieved success in various motorsports disciplines, including endurance racing, where he won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1976.
While the GALLAND surname originated in France, it has since spread to other regions of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. However, its roots can be traced back to the joyful and entertaining occupations of its earliest bearers in medieval France.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Galland
Among Census respondents with the surname Galland, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.7%) and Two or More Races (1.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Galland 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 Galland surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White93.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.7%
- Two or more races1.4%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Galland 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 | #29,198 | #29,198 | 0.0% |
| Count | 811 | 811 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Galland bearers went from 811 to 811 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #29,198 to #29,198.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Galland
FAQ
Galland surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Galland?
The surname Galland holds position #29,198 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 925 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.27 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Galland surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Galland, the largest self-reported group is White at 93.5%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (3.7%) and Two or More Races (1.4%). 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.