Explore the Family Name Gorges
The meaning of Gorges
1. German (also Görges): derivative of Georg. 2. English (of Norman origin): habitational name from any of various places in France named with Old French gorge ‘gorge, ravine’ (see Gorge 2). 3. French: variant of Gorge 2. History: A family by the name of Gorges (see 2 above) originated in the village of Gorges near Périers in Normandy, France, where Ralph de Gorges was living in the late 11th century. A branch of the family was established in England when Thomas de Gorges lost his lands to the King of France. He became warden of Henry III’s manor of Powerstock, Devon. Sir Ferdinando Gorges, an English proprietor, was granted the province of Maine in 1639, and his brother Thomas was governor of Maine in the 1640s. Some characteristic forenames: German Claus, Erwin, Heinz, Otto, Wilhelm.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Gorges in the United States?
The surname Gorges was not among the most popular surnames in the United States, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, the surname ranked 25,885 in popularity with a count of 892, representing 0.33 per 100,000 people. By 2010, the rank had dropped to 27,646th place with 870 individuals bearing the surname, a decrease of 2.47%. This represented a proportional decrease of 12.12%, indicating that the name Gorges became less common over that decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #25,885 | #27,646 | -6.8% |
| Count | 892 | 870 | -2.47% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.33 | 0.29 | -12.12% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Gorges
On the aspect of ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data illustrates diverse ethnicities associated with the surname Gorges. The majority identified as White, with this group increasing from 90.13% in 2000 to 93.33% in 2010. Those identifying with two or more races decreased by 36.39%, going from 4.15% to 2.64%. Hispanic representation also declined slightly from 2.80% to 2.30%. There was a notable decrease in those who identified as Black, reducing from 2.47% to 1.15%. The 2010 census introduced a new category capturing Asian/Pacific Islanders at 0.57%, while the categories for American Indian and Alaskan Native remained constant at 0% for both years observed.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 90.13% | 93.33% | 3.55% |
| Two or More Races | 4.15% | 2.64% | -36.39% |
| Hispanic | 2.8% | 2.3% | -17.86% |
| Black | 2.47% | 1.15% | -53.44% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.57% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |