Govan
A Scottish locational surname derived from a place near Glasgow, likely meaning "small hill" in Gaelic.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,702 Americans carry the last name Govan. That puts it at #10,103 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 1.08 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 92,586 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Govan 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
3.7K
1 in 92,586
Census rank
#10,103
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
1.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
3.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 3,188 bearers of the surname Govan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 1.08 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 10103rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Govan, the largest self-reported group is Black at 70.1%. The next largest groups are White (19.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Govan
The surname Govan is of Scottish origin, deriving from the town of Govan, located on the south bank of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire. The name is believed to have originated from the Brythonic word 'go-uan', meaning 'little meadow' or 'little plain'. Alternatively, it may stem from the Old Welsh 'gau-fann', signifying a place of refuge or sanctuary.
Records indicate that the name Govan has been present in Scotland since the 12th century. One of the earliest known references to the name is found in the Register of the Monastery of Paisley, dated 1163, which mentions a 'Robertus de Govan'. This suggests that the Govan family held lands in the area during this time.
The Domesday Book, a great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the name Govan. However, it is possible that individuals with this surname were present in Scotland at the time, as the survey did not extend to that region.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Govan throughout history include:
1. John Govan (c. 1500 - c. 1570), a Scottish Protestant reformer and Presbyterian minister who served as the first Minister of Glasgow Cathedral.
2. William Govan (1625 - 1698), a Scottish merchant and provost of Glasgow from 1677 to 1680, known for his involvement in the city's trade and governance.
3. Archibald Govan (1804 - 1887), a Scottish-born Canadian engineer and shipbuilder who established the Govan shipyard in Glasgow, one of the largest shipyards in the world during the late 19th century.
4. Janet Govan (1854 - 1931), a Scottish author and feminist activist who campaigned for women's suffrage and wrote several novels and short stories.
5. William Govan (1908 - 1988), a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Rangers F.C. and the Scotland national team in the 1930s.
While the name Govan is primarily associated with Scotland, it has also been found in other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as in countries with significant Scottish immigration, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The name has also been subject to various spelling variations over time, including Gowan, Gouane, and Govane.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Govan
Among Census respondents with the surname Govan, the largest self-reported group is Black at 70.1%. The next largest groups are White (19.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Govan 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 Govan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American70.1%
- White19.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander3.2%
- Two or more races3.1%
- Hispanic or Latino3.1%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Govan 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 | #10,375 | #10,103 | 2.6% |
| Count | 2,846 | 3,188 | 12.0% |
| Per 100K | 1.06 | 1.08 | 1.9% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Govan bearers went from 2,846 to 3,188 (+12.0% change). The surname moved up 272 positions in the national ranking, going from #10,375 to #10,103.
FAQ
Govan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Govan?
The surname Govan holds position #10,103 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,702 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 1.08 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Govan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Govan, the largest self-reported group is Black at 70.1%. The next largest groups are White (19.8%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (3.2%). 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.