NameCensus.

UK surname

Degruchy

A French surname derived from "grochy", meaning "sullen" or "grumpy".

In the 1881 census there were 63 people recorded with the Degruchy surname, ranking it #24,711 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, down from #24,711 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carmarthenshire, North East Lincolnshire and Bexley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Degruchy is 139 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 82.5%.

1881 census count

63

Ranked #24,711

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

1911

139 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Degruchy had 63 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,711 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 139 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Degruchy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Degruchy surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Degruchy 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 26 #30,677
1881 historical 63 #24,711
1891 historical 65 #28,660
1901 historical 98 #23,119
1911 historical 139 #18,745
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 122 #24,556
1999 modern 127 #24,125
2000 modern 114 #25,717
2001 modern 109 #26,059
2002 modern 105 #27,123
2003 modern 106 #26,775
2004 modern 111 #26,293
2005 modern 111 #26,260
2006 modern 106 #27,332
2007 modern 117 #26,066
2008 modern 113 #26,920
2009 modern 123 #26,098
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 118 #27,192
2012 modern 126 #26,148
2013 modern 121 #27,255
2014 modern 116 #28,253
2015 modern 110 #29,157
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Degruchys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea, West Derby and Cardiff St John and St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Carmarthenshire, North East Lincolnshire, Bexley, Camden and Kirklees. 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 Hastings St Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings St Andrew Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
4 West Derby Lancashire
5 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carmarthenshire 011 Carmarthenshire
2 North East Lincolnshire 011 North East Lincolnshire
3 Bexley 029 Bexley
4 Camden 015 Camden
5 Kirklees 025 Kirklees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Degruchy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Degruchy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Degruchy, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Degruchy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Degruchy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Degruchy is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Degruchy 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

Degruchy falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Degruchy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Degruchy

The DeGruchy surname originates from the Channel Islands, situated between the coasts of Normandy and Britain. Its roots can be traced back to the 16th century, derived from the old Norman-French word "gruchy," meaning a small valley or gulley.

The earliest recorded instances of the DeGruchy name appear in parish records from the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, dating back to the late 1500s. The name was likely adopted by families residing in or near these small valleys or gruchys, hence the moniker.

One of the earliest known bearers of the DeGruchy name was Jean DeGruchy, born in St. Ouen, Jersey, in 1612. Parish records from that time spell the name in various ways, including DeGruchy, Degruchy, and De Gruchy.

In the 17th century, the DeGruchy name also appeared in the Ecclesiastical Records of the Channel Islands, which documented important events such as baptisms, marriages, and burials. These records provide valuable insights into the lives and movements of DeGruchy families during that era.

As the centuries progressed, the DeGruchy name spread beyond the Channel Islands, with some notable individuals making their mark. For instance, John DeGruchy (1807-1887), a merchant and politician from Jersey, served as the Lieutenant-Governor of the island from 1857 to 1863.

Another prominent figure was Philip DeGruchy (1832-1915), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Guernsey. He made significant contributions to the island's education system and funded the construction of the DeGruchy Library, which still stands today.

In the late 19th century, James DeGruchy (1854-1931), a civil engineer from Jersey, oversaw the construction of several important infrastructure projects, including the St. Helier Harbour and the island's railway system.

Moving into the 20th century, Wilfred DeGruchy (1904-1978), a renowned artist from Jersey, gained recognition for his landscapes and seascapes depicting the Channel Islands' natural beauty.

Lastly, John DeGruchy (1923-2015), a respected theologian and academic from South Africa, made significant contributions to the field of Christian ethics and social justice through his teachings and writings.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Degruchy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Degruchy 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. Channel Islands leads with 449 Degruchys recorded in 1881 and an index of 305.17x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 449 305.17x
Lancashire 16 0.27x
Middlesex 13 0.26x
Hampshire 11 1.08x
Shropshire 6 1.40x
Sussex 4 0.48x
Lanarkshire 3 0.19x
Devon 2 0.19x
Kent 2 0.12x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.63x
Royal Navy 1 1.69x
Wiltshire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 151 Degruchys recorded in 1881 and an index of 315.24x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 151 315.24x
Trinity 130 3812.32x
St Saviour 42 516.61x
St Martin 31 344.06x
St John 21 747.33x
St Peter 19 448.11x
St Mary 16 946.75x
St Clement 12 535.71x
St Brelade 9 237.47x
Everton 7 3.73x
Limehouse London 6 11.01x
Southampton St Mary 6 9.38x
St Lawrence 6 149.25x
Grouville 5 121.95x
Liverpool 5 1.40x
Portsea 5 2.51x
Stoke St Milborough 5 561.80x
Hastings St Mary 4 19.20x
St Michaelinthe Vale 4 76.19x
Toxteth Park 4 2.00x
Govan 3 0.76x
Islington London 3 0.62x
St Owen 3 77.72x
Chatham 2 4.29x
Lundy Island 2 666.67x
St Pancras London 2 0.50x
Albrighton 1 48.31x
Kensington London 1 0.36x
Milford Haven 1 78.13x
Royal Navy 1 1.98x
St Marylebone London 1 0.38x
Warminster 1 10.40x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 48
Jane 24
Elizabeth 15
Eliza 14
Esther 11
Louisa 11
Rachel 11
Ann 10
Alice 9
Anne 9
Elise 6
Emma 6
Elize 5
Emily 5
Florence 5
Marie 5
Nancy 5
Amelia 4
Anna 4
Margaret 4
Marguerite 4
Susan 4
Ada 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Harriet 3
Julia 3
Maria 3
Adelina 2
Annie 2
Edith 2
Emelia 2
Janet 2
Jeanne 2
Louise 2
Lydia 2
Mabel 2
Matilda 2
Sophie 2
Adelaide 1
Albina 1
Augusta 1
Bella 1
Douce 1
Eleanor 1
Eliz.A. 1
Eliz.J. 1
Judith 1
Lousa 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 40
Philip 25
Charles 23
Thomas 19
Francis 11
George 9
William 8
Alfred 6
Walter 5
Jean 4
Peter 4
Adolphus 3
Arthur 3
David 3
Elias 3
Henry 3
Phillip 3
Albert 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Noel 2
Ph. 2
Winter 2
Chas 1
Edouard 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Elie 1
Florence 1
Frs. 1
Guy 1
H.P. 1
Helier 1
James 1
Joh.Wilm. 1
Joseph 1
Joshua 1
Josue 1
Mathieu 1
Percy 1
Ph.John 1
Phily 1
Reginald 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Summer 1
Sydney 1
Thom 1
Ths. 1

FAQ

Degruchy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Degruchy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 63 people were recorded with the Degruchy surname. That placed it at #24,711 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Degruchy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Degruchy a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Degruchy surname mean?

A French surname derived from "grochy", meaning "sullen" or "grumpy".

What does the Degruchy map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Degruchy 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.