NameCensus.

UK surname

Gracias

A surname derived from the Spanish word "gracias" meaning "thanks" or "gratitude".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swindon, York and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gracias is 164 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

157

2016, ranked #23,006

Peak year

2015

164 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016, ranked #23,006.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Gracias surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gracias surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gracias 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 5 #33,427
1997 modern 65 #31,141
1998 modern 65 #31,477
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 69 #31,273
2001 modern 68 #31,195
2002 modern 73 #31,159
2003 modern 69 #31,587
2004 modern 81 #30,569
2005 modern 74 #31,522
2006 modern 83 #30,808
2007 modern 84 #31,067
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 108 #28,311
2010 modern 120 #27,124
2011 modern 119 #27,063
2012 modern 127 #25,992
2013 modern 149 #23,765
2014 modern 160 #22,824
2015 modern 164 #22,325
2016 modern 157 #23,006

Geography

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Where Gracias' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swindon, York, Barnet, Hillingdon and Hounslow. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 York 019 York
3 Barnet 030 Barnet
4 Hillingdon 031 Hillingdon
5 Hounslow 013 Hounslow

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gracias

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gracias

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Gracias surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Gracias household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Gracias is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gracias 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

Gracias falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gracias is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Gracias

The surname "GRACIAS" is of Spanish origin, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to have derived from the Spanish word "gracia," which means "grace" or "favor," suggesting that the name may have initially been bestowed upon someone who possessed a gracious or benevolent demeanor.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 14th-century Aragonese manuscript "Libro de Armería," which documented the coats of arms and lineages of noble families. In this text, a "Pedro de Gracias" is mentioned as a knight from the province of Zaragoza, indicating that the name was already in use during that time period.

The name's origins can also be traced to various place names in Spain, such as the town of Gracia, located in the province of Barcelona. It is possible that the surname may have been adopted by individuals who hailed from or had connections to these places, further contributing to its spread across the region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname "GRACIAS." In the 16th century, Juan de Gracias was a renowned Spanish painter and sculptor, known for his works in the Renaissance style. His birth and death dates are uncertain, but his artistic contributions have left an indelible mark on Spanish cultural heritage.

Another prominent figure was Fray Domingo de Gracias, a Spanish Dominican friar who lived in the 17th century and served as a missionary in the Philippines. He is credited with founding several churches and convents in the region, contributing to the spread of Christianity and Spanish influence in the archipelago.

In the realm of literature, Doña María de Gracias was a respected 19th-century Spanish poet and writer, who championed women's rights and education. Her works, published between 1830 and 1870, shed light on the societal challenges faced by women during that era and garnered critical acclaim for their poetic artistry.

Additionally, José de Gracias was a renowned Spanish architect who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in Madrid, including the Palacio de las Cortes (Palace of the Cortes), which served as the seat of the Spanish parliament.

Finally, in the 20th century, Emilio de Gracias was a celebrated Spanish bullfighter, known for his bravery and skill in the arena. He was active from the 1920s to the 1940s and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of bullfighting in Spain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gracias surname: questions and answers

How common is the Gracias surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 157 in 2016. That gives Gracias a modern rank of #23,006.

What does the Gracias surname mean?

A surname derived from the Spanish word "gracias" meaning "thanks" or "gratitude".

What does the Gracias map show?

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