By the late 19th century, it had become densely populated; rural migrants and immigrants were attracted by the new industries and employment opportunities of Glasgow.

The name is similar to a Lowland Scots word gorbal ('unfledged bird'),[4] perhaps a reference to lepers who were allowed to beg for alms in public.

The village of Gorbals, known once as Bridgend, being at the south end of the bridge over the Clyde towards Glasgow Cross, had been pastoral with some early trading and mining.

[5] Increasingly in the 19th and 20th centuries, the area attracted numerous rural migrants from the surrounding countryside, including the Scottish Highlands, and immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Eastern and Central Europe, who found jobs to meet the needs of industrial capital.

The village of Brigend was named after the bridge which Bishop William Rae had built in 1345 over the River Clyde; it lasted until the 19th century.

Lady Marjorie Stewart of Lochow was said to have had a hospital built for lepers and dedicated to St Ninian in 1350, although this year is contested by current historians' estimates dating her life and activities.

The barony and regality of the Gorbals was confirmed in 1606 by a charter of King James VI, which vested Elphinstone's son, also named GeorgeGeorge, and his descendants.

These powers descended to Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerstone, who in 1650 disponed (legally transferred) the Gorbals to Glasgow's magistrates for the benefit of the city, the Trades' House, and Hutchesons' Hospital.

[9] Much of the early Gorbals village was replaced by modern tenements in the street grid system being adopted in the city centre and notably in the south side, including neighbouring Tradeston, Kinning Park and Hutchesontown.

The area supported some 16 schools, 15 churches, three synagogues, swimming baths and libraries, and a range of picture-houses, dance halls and two theatres.

[14] As took place in London and other major cities, in the post-war planning of the 1950s, Glasgow Corporation joined with other authorities in deciding to demolish much sub-standard housing of inner districts including Gorbals and Huchesontown.

The Queen Elizabeth Square flats, designed by Sir Basil Spence, were demolished in 1993 to make way for a new generation of housing development.

In 2004, Glasgow Housing Association announced plans to demolish more of the decaying high-rise blocks, and to comprehensively refurbish and re-clad others.

More recent phases, masterplanned by Piers Gough, have employed noted modern architects such as Page/Park, Elder & Cannon and CZWG, resulting in more bold and radical designs.

The group have discovered that a copy of the original cross fountain was installed on the Caribbean island of St Kitts & Nevis.

They are working to engage professional help to digitally scan this object to allow for the manufacture of 'Gorbals Cross, No 3', to be installed in a new development near to where it originally stood.

One of the few buildings to survive the mid-20th century redevelopment is a pub called The Brazen Head, located at the northern end of Cathcart Road.

[19] Nearby is the architectural masterpiece of the Caledonia Road Church, a Category A-listed mid-Victorian structure with remaining walls and tower designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson.