Surname Gallup - Meaning and Origin

Gallup: What does the surname Gallup mean?

The last name Gallup is of French origin and is derived from the Latin word "Gallus". This was the name of a Romano-British saint who was martryed in Gaul during the 3rd century. It is also believed that the first use of the name as a surname originated in France.

Gallup is a surname often used in France, particularly in the region along the English Channel coast, but is found in other parts of Europe as well, including Italy, Greece, and the Netherlands. The surname is particularly common in the United States, where it ranked 185th among all surnames in 1990.

The meaning of the name Gallup is generally thought to be "rooster" or "cock," likely in reference to the bird's characteristic combative nature. The name is also believed to have derived from the term "galop," which means a fast gallop, and is a reference to the swift horse on which a brave knight would ride into battle.

Overall, Gallup is a popular surname and has been for centuries, making it an interesting and unique part of family history.

Gallup: Where does the name Gallup come from?

The last name Gallup is most commonly associated with the United States. The Gallup surname originated as a habitational name, derived from Gallup, a village near Pont Audemer in Eure in Normandy, France where many Gallups resided in the Middle Ages. The Gallup family name is thought to have been developed from Gaillou, a nickname for someone with a playful disposition.

Throughout history, the Gallup name has been prominent primarily in the United States. Records of the Gallup family appear in all fifty states, though it is more populous in some than others. The states where the last name Gallup is most common are Utah, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Throughout the twentieth century, Gallup Polls have become more recognized, with Gallup International conducting polls in all parts of the world and the Gallup Organization working in the United States. This recognition has helped spread the Gallup name and renown throughout the world, with the name Gallup becoming much more prominent since the 1990s and 2000s.

The Gallup name is also quite common in France. Many of the American Gallups are descended from the original Gallups of Normandie, and the name remains prominent today, particularly in the immense numbers found in Utah, New Mexico and Texas.

Variations of the surname Gallup

Gallup is a surname of German origin. It is an occupational name for a payer of church taxes, deriving from the Middle High German "gelt," meaning "tax." Variants of this surname include Gallopp, Gallupo, Gallope, Galloph, and Galof. Additionally, the surname is commonly spelled Galuppi, Gallopi, and Galuppo.

The Mellon family adopted the Gallup variant spelling in the 19th century in the United States. Some branches of the Mellon family continue to use the Gallup surname today.

Other surnames of the same origin as Gallup include Gall and Gaul. The Gaul surname originates from Old French and Old Norse elements and can be found in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Gall surname also derives from the Old French "gal," meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," and can be found in Germany and the United Kingdom.

Gallo is an Italian variant of Gallup, derived from the Latin word for rooster, "gallus." Gallo can be found in the United States, Italy, and Argentina. Gallo is also the root of a number of diminutive surnames: Gallone, Galloni, Gallotti, and Gallucci.

In Scandinavia, the surname associated with Gallup is Gäll. Gäll is also used in Finland and is derived from the Middle High German element ‘gelt.’ Gäll is the 11th most common surname in Finland.

Many of the spellings of the Gallup surname are variations on one another, while others are different from the original spelling. However, all variants and spellings can trace their origin back to the Middle High German “gelt,” meaning “tax.”

Famous people with the name Gallup

• George Gallup: quoted in the 1940s as saying, "The only poll that really counts is the one on election day", George Gallup was the founder of the Gallup Organization, which is one of the world’s oldest and most respected polling companies.
• David Gallup: the son of George Gallup, David Gallup is the CEO of the Gallup Organization.
• Alexander Gallup: a scientist and advocate for renewable energy, Alexander Gallup is the grandson of George Gallup and works as a research scientist for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.
• John Edward Gallup: an American lawyer, John Edward Gallup was formerly the president of the American Bar Association.
• Diane Gallup: an American author, Diane Gallup wrote the book “The Dog That Talks: a Primer on Dog-focused Parenting”, published in 1998.
• Anthony Gallup: a singer-songwriter and producer, Anthony Gallup is a contemporary Christian music artist located in California.
• Paul Gallup: Paul Gallup is a former professional American football player who was a defensive lineman for four seasons for the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
• Candace Gallup: an American equestrian, Candace Gallup competed at the 2001 World Games in Spain.
• Edith Gallup: a political activist, Edith Gallup was an original founding member of the National Organization for Women in 1966.
• Freddie Gallup: an American jazz guitarist, Freddie Gallup was part of the jazz trio The Three Cavaliers.

Other surnames

GallupsGallus