Gandy
An English occupational surname for someone who made or sold gloves, derived from the Old Norse word "gand".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 12,134 Americans carry the last name Gandy. That puts it at #3,417 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 3.54 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 28,247 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gandy 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
12K
1 in 28,247
Census rank
#3,417
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
3.5
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
10K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 10,444 bearers of the surname Gandy in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 3.54 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 3417th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gandy, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.9%. The next largest groups are Black (27.8%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gandy
The surname Gandy is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "gang" meaning "to go" or "to walk." It was likely an occupational name given to a walker, messenger, or wanderer. The name is believed to have first appeared in the Norfolk and Suffolk regions of England during the 12th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk from 1194, where a Robert Gandy is mentioned. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 also list a Walter Gandy in Norfolk. These early records suggest that the name was well-established in the region by the 13th century.
In the 14th century, the Gandy surname appeared in various spellings, such as Gandy, Gandey, and Gaundy, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time. The name is also linked to the village of Gandey in Norfolk, which may have influenced the spelling and spread of the surname.
Notable individuals with the surname Gandy include John Gandy (1615-1689), an English architect and surveyor who designed several churches in London, including St. Paul's Cathedral. Another prominent figure was James Gandey (1767-1834), an English violin maker and musician who worked in London and gained recognition for his exceptional craftsmanship.
During the 17th century, the Gandy family produced several notable clergymen, including Henry Gandy (1646-1714), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Toft in Cambridgeshire, and his son, John Gandy (1677-1737), who was also a clergyman and author.
In the 19th century, James Gandey (1790-1857) was an English artist and lithographer known for his landscape paintings and illustrations. Additionally, John Gandey (1814-1892) was a prominent circus proprietor and showman who established the Gandey Family Circus, which continues to operate today.
While the surname Gandy is not among the most common in England, it has a long and rich history, with records dating back to the 12th century and notable individuals spanning various professions, from architecture and religion to the arts and entertainment.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gandy
Among Census respondents with the surname Gandy, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.9%. The next largest groups are Black (27.8%) and Hispanic (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Gandy 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 Gandy surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White65.9%
- Black or African American27.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.5%
- Two or more races2.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.5%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gandy 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 | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #3,290 | #3,417 | -3.9% |
| Count | 9,990 | 10,444 | 4.5% |
| Per 100K | 3.70 | 3.54 | -4.3% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Gandy bearers went from 9,990 to 10,444 (+4.5% change). The surname moved down 127 positions in the national ranking, going from #3,290 to #3,417.
FAQ
Gandy surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gandy?
The surname Gandy holds position #3,417 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 12,134 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 3.54 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gandy surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gandy, the largest self-reported group is White at 65.9%. The next largest groups are Black (27.8%) 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.