Gallery
A surname derived from the French word for gallery, possibly denoting someone who lived or worked near one.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 720 Americans carry the last name Gallery. That puts it at #36,477 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.21 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 476,048 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gallery 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
720
1 in 476,048
Census rank
#36,477
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
613
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 613 bearers of the surname Gallery in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 36477th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gallery, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gallery
The surname Gallery originated in England during the late Middle Ages, derived from the Old French word "galerie," which referred to a long, covered passage or corridor. This term traces its roots back to the Late Latin "galeria," meaning a porch or gallery.
The name likely emerged as a descriptive term for individuals who lived near or were associated with such a structure, perhaps a gallery within a castle, manor house, or other prominent building. Early records show the surname spelled variously as Galerie, Galery, and Gallerie.
One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire from 1195, which mention a Robert de la Galerie. This suggests the surname was already in use by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, a John de la Galerie is recorded as a landholder in the county of Oxfordshire, indicating the surname's association with landed gentry during this period.
The Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census-like survey of landholders in England, includes entries for individuals with the surname Gallery or variations thereof, such as Willelmus de la Galerie in Berkshire and Johannes de la Galerie in Lincolnshire.
The Gascon Rolls of 1242-1293, records of English administration in the Duchy of Gascony, mention a Robert de la Galerie who served as a royal messenger.
Notable historical figures with the surname Gallery include Sir John Gallery (c.1545-1628), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Arundel during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Another prominent individual was Thomas Gallery (c.1605-1676), an English clergyman who served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral in the mid-17th century.
In the 18th century, Edward Gallery (1713-1776) was a British Army officer who fought in the Seven Years' War and later served as Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland.
The 19th century saw the birth of John Gallery (1842-1925), an English cricketer who played for the Marylebone Cricket Club and Middlesex County Cricket Club.
Lastly, Charles Gallery (1865-1935) was a British architect known for designing several notable buildings in London, including the former British Medical Association headquarters on Strand.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gallery
Among Census respondents with the surname Gallery, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Gallery 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 Gallery surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White87.3%
- Black or African American8.2%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races1.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gallery 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 | #36,477 | #36,477 | 0.0% |
| Count | 613 | 613 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gallery bearers went from 613 to 613 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #36,477 to #36,477.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gallery
FAQ
Gallery surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gallery?
The surname Gallery holds position #36,477 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 720 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.21 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gallery surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gallery, the largest self-reported group is White at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Black (8.2%) and Hispanic (2.5%). 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.