NameCensus.

UK surname

Blagrove

An English surname derived from a location or locality name containing the Old English elements "blac" (black) and "grofe" (grove, thicket).

In the 1881 census there were 133 people recorded with the Blagrove surname, ranking it #16,676 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 187, ranked #20,488, down from #16,676 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Greenwich and Lewes St Michael. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hammersmith and Fulham, South Northamptonshire and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Blagrove is 212 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.6%.

1881 census count

133

Ranked #16,676

Modern count

187

2016, ranked #20,488

Peak year

2010

212 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Blagrove had 133 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #16,676 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016, ranked #20,488.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 158 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Blagrove surname distribution map

The map shows where the Blagrove surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Blagrove surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Blagrove over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 135 #13,964
1861 historical 130 #17,164
1881 historical 133 #16,676
1891 historical 131 #20,073
1901 historical 158 #17,507
1911 historical 151 #17,797
1997 modern 158 #20,422
1998 modern 164 #20,505
1999 modern 172 #20,009
2000 modern 185 #19,118
2001 modern 175 #19,484
2002 modern 179 #19,598
2003 modern 168 #20,171
2004 modern 174 #19,871
2005 modern 174 #19,783
2006 modern 181 #19,466
2007 modern 186 #19,337
2008 modern 198 #18,753
2009 modern 208 #18,551
2010 modern 212 #18,726
2011 modern 194 #19,662
2012 modern 189 #19,949
2013 modern 192 #20,067
2014 modern 194 #20,097
2015 modern 191 #20,205
2016 modern 187 #20,488

Geography

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Where Blagroves are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, Greenwich, Lewes St Michael and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Hammersmith and Fulham, South Northamptonshire, Birmingham, Kensington and Chelsea and Luton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas Berkshire
2 Greenwich London (South Districts)
3 Lewes St Michael Sussex
4 London parishes London 1
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Hammersmith and Fulham 013 Hammersmith and Fulham
2 South Northamptonshire 005 South Northamptonshire
3 Birmingham 049 Birmingham
4 Kensington and Chelsea 004 Kensington and Chelsea
5 Luton 016 Luton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Blagrove

These lists show first names that appear often with the Blagrove surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Blagrove

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Blagrove, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Blagrove surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Blagrove household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Blagrove is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Blagrove is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Blagrove falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Blagrove is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Blagrove, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Blagrove

The surname Blagrove is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "blæc" meaning black and "grāf" meaning grove or small wood. This indicates that the name likely originated in an area known for a dark or dense grove of trees.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Blagrove can be traced back to the 13th century in the county of Somerset, England. Records from this time show variations in spelling such as Blackgrove and Blakegrove. It is possible that the name is also linked to a specific location, as there are several place names in England containing the word "grove."

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Blagrove, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1272. These rolls were financial records kept by the English Exchequer, suggesting that John Blagrove was a landowner or person of some means.

In the 16th century, the name appears in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Taunton, Somerset. A notable entry from 1583 records the marriage of William Blagrove and Agnes Pyme.

Another historical figure with the surname Blagrove was Thomas Blagrove, born in 1687 in Taunton, Somerset. He was a renowned clockmaker and his works can still be found in museums and private collections today.

Moving into the 18th century, the Blagrove family had established themselves in various parts of England. One member, Samuel Blagrove (1728-1804), was a notable landowner and magistrate in Wiltshire.

In the 19th century, the name gained prominence in the field of education. William Blagrove (1811-1889) was a renowned teacher and headmaster of several schools in London, while his son, also named William Blagrove (1845-1912), followed in his footsteps and became a respected educator in his own right.

Throughout its history, the surname Blagrove has maintained a strong connection to its English roots, particularly in the counties of Somerset and Wiltshire. While not a common name, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including landowners, craftsmen, and educators.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Blagrove families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Blagrove surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Oxfordshire leads with 44 Blagroves recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.92x.

County Total Index
Oxfordshire 44 54.92x
Berkshire 23 23.62x
Kent 22 4.97x
Middlesex 20 1.54x
Sussex 10 4.57x
Surrey 9 1.42x
Hertfordshire 3 3.35x
Suffolk 1 0.63x
Wiltshire 1 0.87x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Greenwich in Kent leads with 17 Blagroves recorded in 1881 and an index of 82.32x.

Place Total Index
Greenwich 17 82.32x
Abingdon St Helen 13 456.14x
Ealing 12 103.54x
Oxford St Mary Magdalen 9 947.37x
Lewes St Michael 8 1860.47x
Oxford St Michael 7 2121.21x
Oxford St Thomas 7 187.17x
Oxford St Aldate 6 714.29x
Clapham 5 30.83x
Harwell 5 1388.89x
Oxford St Ebbe 5 211.86x
Dartford 4 88.30x
Clanfield 3 1363.64x
Cowley 3 120.00x
Oxford St Giles 3 78.53x
Watford 3 43.29x
Lewes St Ann 2 270.27x
Mile End Old Town London 2 7.24x
Reading St Giles 2 20.94x
Rotherhithe 2 12.48x
Camberwell 1 1.21x
Caterham 1 35.84x
Cholsey 1 129.87x
Farnham 1 1250.00x
Hampstead London 1 4.95x
Highworth 1 68.03x
Holywell 1 263.16x
Islington London 1 0.80x
Kensington London 1 1.39x
Pembury 1 158.73x
Shoreditch London 1 1.78x
South Hinksey 1 238.10x
St George Bloomsbury 1 13.44x
St Pancras London 1 0.96x
Wallingford St Leonard 1 222.22x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Blagrove surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Eliza 7
Mary 7
Alice 4
Annie 4
Emily 4
Ann 3
Jane 3
Sarah 3
Elizabeth 2
Frances 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Edith 1
Edwin 1
Elenor 1
Elizth. 1
Ella 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Martha 1
Minnie 1
N. 1
Patty 1
Rachel 1
Rhoda 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Victoria 1
Viola 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Blagrove surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Henry 7
William 7
Charles 4
George 4
Albert 3
Daniel 3
Edwin 3
Frank 3
Joseph 3
Richard 3
Thomas 3
Arthur 2
Ben 2
Frederick 2
John 2
Alfred 1
Edward 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Moses 1
Percy 1
Samuel 1
Stanley 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Blagrove surname: questions and answers

How common was the Blagrove surname in 1881?

In 1881, 133 people were recorded with the Blagrove surname. That placed it at #16,676 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Blagrove surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 187 in 2016. That gives Blagrove a modern rank of #20,488.

What does the Blagrove surname mean?

An English surname derived from a location or locality name containing the Old English elements "blac" (black) and "grofe" (grove, thicket).

What does the Blagrove map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Blagrove bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.