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

Gilkey, 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 Gilkey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Gilkey in America

Gilkey is the 8734th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Gilkey surname appeared 3,755 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 Gilkey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Gilkey 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.

The history of the last name Gilkey

The surname Gilkey is of English origin and can be traced back to the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the village of Gilkey, which was located in the county of Yorkshire. The name is derived from the Old English words "gil" meaning a ravine or deep valley, and "cy" meaning a cow pasture.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, the earliest historical record of English surnames, there is an entry for a landholder named Roger de Gilkey, which suggests that the name was already in use by that time. The spelling of the name has undergone various changes over the centuries, including Gilkie, Gilky, and Gilkie-by-the-Wold.

One of the earliest documented bearers of the name was Sir John Gilkey (c. 1330-1395), a renowned knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War. He was known for his bravery and skill in battle, and was granted lands in Lincolnshire by King Edward III.

Another notable figure was Richard Gilkey (1575-1645), a Protestant minister and scholar who served as the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. He was a prominent figure in the English Reformation and was known for his writings on theology and biblical interpretation.

In the 17th century, the Gilkey family established itself in the American colonies. One of the earliest settlers was Thomas Gilkey (1620-1687), who arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638. He later became a prominent landowner and served as a selectman in the town of Ipswich.

During the American Revolutionary War, Captain James Gilkey (1745-1815) from Virginia gained recognition for his service in the Continental Army. He participated in several major battles, including the Siege of Yorktown, and was commended for his leadership and bravery.

Another notable individual was Sarah Gilkey (1788-1867), a renowned educator and author who founded one of the first schools for women in the United States. Her influential works on education and social reform helped pave the way for greater opportunities for women in academia and public life.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse accomplishments associated with the surname Gilkey. From its origins in medieval England to its establishment in the American colonies and beyond, the name has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Gilkey

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

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 Gilkey 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Gilkey has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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