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

Gilead, 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 Gilead surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gilead in America

Gilead is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gilead surname appeared 109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Gilead.

The history of the last name Gilead

The surname Gilead is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the region of ancient Palestine. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Gilead," which refers to a mountainous region situated east of the Jordan River. The name can be traced back to biblical times, with references found in the Old Testament.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gilead appears in the Book of Genesis, where it is mentioned as the land given to the sons of Manasseh. The region was known for its fertile land and abundant resources, particularly the production of balm, a valuable medicinal substance derived from local plants.

In the Book of Judges, the name Gilead is associated with Jephthah, a renowned judge and military leader who led the Israelites to victory against the Ammonites around 1100 BCE. The biblical narrative portrays Gilead as a region of significance, where battles were fought and important events took place.

During the Middle Ages, the name Gilead was likely carried by crusaders and pilgrims who traveled to the Holy Land. These individuals may have adopted the name as a way to commemorate their journey or connection to the biblical region.

One notable figure with the surname Gilead was Sir Samuel Gilead (1600-1658), an English merchant and explorer who made significant contributions to the establishment of trade routes in the Middle East and Asia. His travels and business ventures helped shape the early modern era of global commerce.

Another prominent individual was John Gilead (1765-1842), a Scottish minister and theologian known for his influential sermons and writings on Christian doctrine. He played a pivotal role in the religious landscape of 19th-century Scotland.

In the realm of literature, the name Gilead gained prominence through the works of American novelist Marilynne Robinson, particularly in her acclaimed novel "Gilead," published in 2004. The book explores themes of faith, family, and the complexities of human relationships, set against the backdrop of a fictional town named Gilead.

Throughout history, the surname Gilead has been associated with individuals from various backgrounds, including religious leaders, merchants, and literary figures. While the name has its roots in the Middle East, it has transcended geographical boundaries and taken on diverse cultural meanings over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gilead

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

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 Gilead 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.

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

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

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