Gamblin last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Gamblin

An English occupational surname for a person who operated or frequented a gambling establishment.

Gamblin, 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 Gamblin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gamblin in America

Gamblin is the 13600th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gamblin surname appeared 2,228 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 Gamblin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gamblin 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.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 13600 12698 6.86%
Count 2,228 2,234 -0.27%
Proportion per 100k 0.76 0.83 -8.81%

The history of the last name Gamblin

The surname Gamblin has its origins in England, where it first emerged during the medieval period, specifically in the 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "gambilloun," which means "to gambol" or "to frolic." This word traces its roots back to the Latin word "gambarius," referring to a person with bent or crooked legs.

The name Gamblin was initially used as a descriptive surname, likely assigned to someone who exhibited a lively or energetic demeanor or had a distinctive gait or stride. It is believed that the name originated in the county of Shropshire, a region known for its rich history and cultural diversity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gamblin can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, which mentions a William Gamblin. This historical document provides evidence of the name's existence during the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name Gamblin appeared in various forms, including Gamelyn, Gamelyne, and Gamelun, reflecting the variations in spelling and pronunciation that were common during that era. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and scribal practices.

Notably, the name Gamblin has been associated with several historical figures throughout the centuries. One such figure was Sir John Gamblin (1525-1598), a prominent English soldier and military commander who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a crucial role in the defense of England against the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Another notable individual with the surname Gamblin was Thomas Gamblin (1638-1692), an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious subjects. His works, including "A Treatise on the Sacraments" and "A Discourse on the Lord's Supper," were widely read and influential during his time.

In the 18th century, the Gamblin name gained further prominence with the birth of William Gamblin (1742-1811), a successful merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was known for his philanthropic endeavors and his support of local charities and educational institutions.

Moving into the 19th century, one cannot overlook the contributions of James Gamblin (1805-1878), a renowned English artist and inventor. He is credited with developing a process for producing moist watercolors, which revolutionized the art of watercolor painting.

Another notable figure with the Gamblin surname was Sir John Gamblin (1834-1920), a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served in various capacities, including as the Governor of the Bahamas and the Governor of the Leeward Islands, leaving a lasting impact on the governance of these territories.

While the history and origins of the Gamblin surname can be traced back to medieval England, it has since spread across the globe, with families bearing this name found in various parts of the world. However, the essence of its meaning and the legacy of those who carried this surname remain deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gamblin

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

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 Gamblin was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 81.55% 1,817
Non-Hispanic Black Only 12.07% 269
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.94% 21
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.63% 14
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 2.38% 53
Hispanic Origin 2.42% 54

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 Gamblin has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 81.55% 82.72% -1.42%
Black 12.07% 12.26% -1.56%
Asian and Pacific Islander 0.94% 0.63% 39.49%
American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.63% 1.30% -69.43%
Two or More Races 2.38% 1.57% 41.01%
Hispanic 2.42% 1.52% 45.69%

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 Gamblin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Gamblin last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/gamblin-surname-popularity/.

"Gamblin last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/gamblin-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 December, 2024

Gamblin last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/gamblin-surname-popularity/.

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