NameCensus.

UK surname

Grady

Derived from the Irish surname Ó Grádaigh, meaning "descendant of Grádaigh" (an Old Irish personal name meaning "noble" or "illustrious").

In the 1881 census there were 1,972 people recorded with the Grady surname, ranking it #2,221 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,740, ranked #2,451, down from #2,221 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Stockport, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Scarborough, Oldham and Norwich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grady is 2,871 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.9%.

1881 census count

1,972

Ranked #2,221

Modern count

2,740

2016, ranked #2,451

Peak year

2010

2,871 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grady had 1,972 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,221 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,740 in 2016, ranked #2,451.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,112 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Grady surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grady surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grady 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 1,106 #2,541
1861 historical 1,398 #2,050
1881 historical 1,972 #2,221
1891 historical 2,036 #2,268
1901 historical 2,112 #2,541
1911 historical 1,969 #2,520
1997 modern 2,657 #2,399
1998 modern 2,711 #2,446
1999 modern 2,769 #2,412
2000 modern 2,754 #2,414
2001 modern 2,691 #2,414
2002 modern 2,773 #2,402
2003 modern 2,704 #2,408
2004 modern 2,727 #2,392
2005 modern 2,704 #2,389
2006 modern 2,712 #2,381
2007 modern 2,712 #2,405
2008 modern 2,743 #2,401
2009 modern 2,838 #2,384
2010 modern 2,871 #2,399
2011 modern 2,819 #2,410
2012 modern 2,715 #2,446
2013 modern 2,762 #2,455
2014 modern 2,780 #2,456
2015 modern 2,752 #2,453
2016 modern 2,740 #2,451

Geography

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Where Gradys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Stockport, London parishes, Edinburgh, Manchester and St Marylebone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Scarborough, Oldham, Norwich, Wigan and Halton. 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 Stockport Cheshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St Marylebone London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Scarborough 003 Scarborough
2 Oldham 014 Oldham
3 Norwich 002 Norwich
4 Wigan 021 Wigan
5 Halton 007 Halton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grady

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grady

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Grady surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Grady household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Grady is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Grady is most concentrated in decile 9 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grady falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grady 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
White - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Grady

The surname Grady is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic word "gráduighe" which means "illustrious" or "noble." It is believed to have emerged in the 12th century in the counties of Cork and Tipperary, Ireland.

The name Grady is thought to be an anglicized version of the Irish surname "Ó Grádaigh," which translates to "descendant of Grádach." Grádach was likely a personal name derived from the word "gráduighe," signifying someone of noble or distinguished character.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, which mentions a "Gradaigh" in the year 1167. The name also appears in various medieval Irish manuscripts, such as the Book of Leinster and the Book of Ballymote.

In the 16th century, the Grady family was prominent in the Barony of Arra and Owney, located in County Tipperary. They were among the leading septs (clans) in the region and held significant influence. Notable members from this era include Thomas Grady, who served as the Archbishop of Cashel from 1564 to 1572.

Over time, the name Grady evolved into various spellings, including Gráda, Grádaigh, and Gradey. These variations were often influenced by the local dialects and the anglicization of the name by English record keepers.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Grady was Donough Grady, who lived in County Cork in the late 16th century. He is mentioned in the Fiants of Elizabeth I, which were records of official pardons and grants issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 17th century, the Grady family played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars (1641-1653). Edmond Grady, born around 1610, was a prominent leader in these conflicts and served as a colonel in the Confederate forces.

Another notable figure from this period was Silius Grady (1610-1675), a Franciscan friar and author. He was born in County Tipperary and wrote several works on religious subjects, including a treatise on the sacraments.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, many individuals with the surname Grady emigrated from Ireland to various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, contributing to the global spread of the name.

In more recent history, individuals with the surname Grady have achieved recognition in various fields. For example, Henry Francis Grady (1850-1889) was an influential American journalist and orator from Georgia, known for his role in promoting the "New South" after the American Civil War.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grady families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grady 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. Lancashire leads with 524 Gradys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.29x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 524 2.29x
Middlesex 251 1.30x
Yorkshire 218 1.14x
Warwickshire 97 2.00x
Cheshire 93 2.19x
Surrey 86 0.92x
Lanarkshire 78 1.25x
Staffordshire 74 1.14x
Durham 67 1.17x
Kent 65 0.99x
Northumberland 39 1.36x
Shropshire 38 2.28x
Midlothian 34 1.32x
Derbyshire 33 1.09x
Renfrewshire 33 2.21x
Glamorgan 30 0.89x
Lincolnshire 29 0.94x
Hampshire 27 0.68x
Norfolk 19 0.64x
Sussex 19 0.59x
Essex 16 0.42x
Angus 15 0.84x
Gloucestershire 11 0.29x
Monmouthshire 9 0.65x
Leicestershire 8 0.37x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.31x
Wigtownshire 7 2.74x
Devon 6 0.15x
Somerset 6 0.19x
Channel Islands 4 0.70x
Worcestershire 4 0.16x
Dunbartonshire 3 0.58x
Royal Navy 3 1.31x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.11x
Berkshire 2 0.14x
Brecknockshire 2 0.52x
East Lothian 2 0.78x
Herefordshire 2 0.25x
Radnorshire 2 1.29x
Stirlingshire 2 0.28x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.12x
Cornwall 1 0.05x
Cumberland 1 0.06x
Flintshire 1 0.19x
Perthshire 1 0.12x
Suffolk 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 61 Gradys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.40x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 61 4.40x
Birmingham 57 3.52x
Oldham 52 7.05x
Stockport 42 19.20x
Manchester 39 3.80x
Islington London 37 1.98x
Govan 36 2.34x
Aston 32 2.39x
Shoreditch London 29 3.47x
St Marylebone London 29 2.82x
Preston 26 4.25x
Holy Trinity 23 5.01x
Southwark St George Martyr 22 5.68x
Widnes 22 13.35x
Haslingden 20 21.14x
Cardiff St Mary 19 10.29x
Glasgow 18 1.63x
Mearns 18 68.86x
Shrewsbury St Mary 18 27.42x
Stoke Upon Trent 18 2.61x
Gateshead 17 3.96x
Salford 17 2.53x
Sheffield 17 2.80x
Deptford St Paul 16 3.16x
Great Grimsby 16 8.19x
Wolstanton 16 8.10x
Fulham London 15 5.37x
Edinburgh Lady Yesters 14 78.34x
Poplar London 14 3.85x
Skelmersdale 14 36.76x
Blackley 13 32.45x
Camberwell 13 1.06x
West Derby 13 1.94x
Wigan 13 4.07x
Bromley London 12 2.83x
Limehouse London 12 5.68x
Wolverhampton 12 2.40x
Barony 11 0.70x
Broughton In Salford 11 5.26x
Dewsbury 11 5.62x
Gillingham 11 8.12x
Hulme 11 2.31x
Kirkdale 11 2.86x
Lambeth 11 0.66x
Leeds 11 1.02x
Little Bolton 11 3.74x
Paisley High Church 11 9.26x
Roath 11 7.22x
St Pancras London 11 0.71x
Aspull 10 18.60x
Bermondsey 10 1.74x
Dundee 10 1.50x
Ecclesall Bierlow 10 2.58x
Hastings St Mary In The 10 14.44x
Lewisham 10 2.85x
Portsea 10 1.29x
Westoe 10 3.08x
Bristol St Stephen 9 91.74x
Byker 9 6.35x
Heigham 9 5.66x
Ilkeston 9 10.65x
Mile End Old Town London 9 2.20x
Ormskirk 9 20.59x
Batley 8 4.41x
Bradford 8 1.73x
Clapham 8 3.32x
Cowpen 8 12.13x
Glossop Dale 8 5.67x
Huddersfield 8 2.88x
Leicester St Margaret 8 1.54x
Longbenton 8 6.59x
Manningham 8 3.40x
Middlesbrough 8 3.22x
New Monkland 8 4.35x
Norwich St Martin At Oak 8 44.42x
Otley 8 17.27x
Sherburn 8 45.90x
Shrewsbury Holy Cross 8 43.53x
Walsall Borough 8 15.85x
Wednesfield 8 8.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 201
Margaret 64
Ellen 56
Catherine 54
Ann 44
Elizabeth 41
Bridget 39
Annie 32
Sarah 28
Jane 25
Kate 24
Hannah 18
Alice 17
Eliza 17
Julia 10
Agnes 9
Emily 9
Emma 9
Martha 9
Anne 8
Rose 7
Caroline 6
Clara 6
Maria 6
Esther 5
Susannah 5
Amelia 4
Catharine 4
Frances 4
Helen 4
Isabella 4
Johanna 4
Margret 4
Margt. 4
Rosina 4
Selina 4
Sophia 4
Cathrine 3
Charlotte 3
Edith 3
Eleanor 3
Francis 3
Hannorah 3
Katherine 3
Lucy 3
Maud 3
May 3
Norah 3
Teresa 3
Winifred 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 178
James 105
Thomas 94
Patrick 73
William 72
Michael 42
Henry 25
Joseph 22
Martin 19
Edward 17
Francis 17
George 14
Daniel 12
Charles 10
Peter 10
Thos. 10
Frank 6
Philip 6
David 5
Hugh 5
Richard 5
Robert 5
Anthony 4
Austin 4
Michl. 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Dominic 3
Herbert 3
Michal 3
Owen 3
Phillip 3
Roger 3
Simon 3
Wm. 3
Albert 2
Chas. 2
Denniss 2
Edmund 2
Ernest 2
Mark 2
Michail 2
Millian 2
Nicholas 2
Patsy 2
Paul 2
Richd. 2
Samuel 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2

FAQ

Grady surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grady surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,972 people were recorded with the Grady surname. That placed it at #2,221 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grady surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,740 in 2016. That gives Grady a modern rank of #2,451.

What does the Grady surname mean?

Derived from the Irish surname Ó Grádaigh, meaning "descendant of Grádaigh" (an Old Irish personal name meaning "noble" or "illustrious").

What does the Grady map show?

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