NameCensus.

UK surname

Grandison

From a French location referring to a large manor or estate.

In the 1881 census there were 212 people recorded with the Grandison surname, ranking it #12,373 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 495, ranked #10,052, up from #12,373 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newbattle and Dalhousie, Peebles North and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grandison is 525 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 133.5%.

1881 census count

212

Ranked #12,373

Modern count

495

2016, ranked #10,052

Peak year

2010

525 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grandison had 212 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,373 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016, ranked #10,052.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 341 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Grandison surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grandison surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grandison 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 160 #12,347
1861 historical 191 #12,467
1881 historical 212 #12,373
1891 historical 311 #10,781
1901 historical 341 #10,629
1911 historical 82 #24,635
1997 modern 482 #9,567
1998 modern 496 #9,658
1999 modern 505 #9,587
2000 modern 507 #9,530
2001 modern 497 #9,516
2002 modern 485 #9,846
2003 modern 484 #9,717
2004 modern 482 #9,757
2005 modern 482 #9,685
2006 modern 494 #9,569
2007 modern 501 #9,552
2008 modern 488 #9,827
2009 modern 508 #9,733
2010 modern 525 #9,692
2011 modern 518 #9,705
2012 modern 511 #9,708
2013 modern 508 #9,902
2014 modern 506 #9,991
2015 modern 495 #10,070
2016 modern 495 #10,052

Geography

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Where Grandisons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Glasgow and Preston. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newbattle and Dalhousie, Peebles North, Manchester, IZ03 and Coventry. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Preston Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newbattle and Dalhousie Midlothian
2 Peebles North Scottish Borders
3 Manchester 052 Manchester
4 IZ03 East Lothian
5 Coventry 032 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grandison

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grandison

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Grandison, 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 Grandison surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Grandison 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Grandison 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

Grandison 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

Grandison falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grandison 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 Grandison, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Grandison

The surname Grandison has its origins in France and is derived from the Old French phrase "grand donjon," which refers to a large fortified tower or keep within a castle. This name likely originated in the 12th or 13th century during the Norman period in England, when many French nobles and their retainers accompanied William the Conqueror and received lands and titles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Grandison can be found in the Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book mentions a landowner named Willelmus de Grandissono, who held estates in Wiltshire and Somerset.

In the 13th century, a prominent member of the Grandison family was Sir Otto de Grandison, a powerful baron and military commander who fought in the Barons' War against King Henry III. He was captured at the Battle of Lewes in 1264 and later released after the Mise of Lewes, a treaty that sought to resolve the conflict.

Another notable figure bearing the name Grandison was John de Grandison, who served as Bishop of Exeter from 1327 to 1369. He played a significant role in the reconstruction of Exeter Cathedral after it was damaged by an earthquake in 1322. John de Grandison's nephew, Sir Thomas de Grandison, was a renowned military leader who fought in the Hundred Years' War and participated in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

In the 15th century, Sir William Grandison was a member of the English gentry and served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of Henry VI. He was involved in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York.

Another notable individual with the surname Grandison was Sir John Grandisonson, who lived in the 16th century and served as a courtier to Queen Elizabeth I. He was knighted by the Queen in 1577 and held various positions at the royal court.

The Grandison surname has its roots in medieval France and can be traced back to the Norman conquest of England. Throughout history, individuals bearing this name have played significant roles in various military campaigns, religious affairs, and political endeavors, leaving a lasting impact on the annals of English and French history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grandison families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grandison 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. Midlothian leads with 37 Grandisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.48x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 37 13.48x
Lanarkshire 30 4.53x
Fife 24 19.79x
Lancashire 17 0.70x
Perthshire 16 17.40x
Angus 14 7.38x
Hampshire 10 2.38x
Renfrewshire 10 6.30x
East Lothian 9 33.17x
Nottinghamshire 7 2.54x
Yorkshire 7 0.34x
Middlesex 5 0.24x
Northumberland 5 1.64x
West Lothian 5 16.21x
Wiltshire 5 2.76x
Leicestershire 3 1.32x
Gloucestershire 2 0.50x
Berwickshire 1 4.03x
Essex 1 0.25x
Kincardineshire 1 4.01x
Stirlingshire 1 1.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 18 Grandisons recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.30x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 18 16.30x
Barony 13 7.75x
Montrose 11 95.65x
Liberton 10 235.85x
Preston 10 15.38x
Govan 9 5.49x
Dunino 8 3809.52x
Prestonpans 8 439.56x
Dunfermline 7 37.53x
Southampton All Sts 7 97.22x
Errol 6 352.94x
Radford 6 42.77x
Glasgow 5 4.25x
Kirkliston 5 277.78x
Longbenton 5 38.73x
Paisley High Church 5 39.56x
Scoonie 5 190.11x
Swindon 5 35.59x
Dull 4 217.39x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 9.69x
Great Bolton 4 12.42x
Scone 4 245.40x
Leicester All Sts 3 67.26x
Maryhill 3 23.13x
Neilston 3 37.64x
Shadwell London 3 52.36x
Southampton St Mary 3 11.36x
Chelsea London 2 3.24x
Dundee 2 2.82x
Edinburgh St Marys 2 37.52x
Everton 2 2.58x
Holbeck 2 14.87x
Torryburn 2 384.62x
West Greenock 2 7.02x
Aberdour 1 81.97x
Brechin 1 13.40x
Cheltenham 1 3.23x
Cockpen 1 31.15x
Colinton 1 32.68x
Dalkeith 1 18.48x
Duddingston 1 18.15x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 17.54x
Falkirk 1 5.65x
Fetteresso 1 25.58x
Gate Fulford 1 21.10x
Kingsbarns 1 178.57x
Lenton 1 15.38x
North Meols 1 4.20x
Perth East Church 1 11.53x
Perth West Church 1 22.94x
South Leith 1 3.24x
Stapleton 1 13.12x
Tranent 1 27.25x
Wanstead 1 14.12x
West Calder 1 18.48x
Westruther 1 212.77x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 5
Alice 3
Ellen 3
Matilda 3
Ann 2
Rachel 2
Bertha 1
Catharine 1
Christina 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Florence 1
Jane 1
Lillian 1
Lillias 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 6
James 5
David 4
Andrew 2
George 2
Henry 2
John 2
Alfred 1
Charles 1
Harry 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Grandison households.

FAQ

Grandison surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grandison surname in 1881?

In 1881, 212 people were recorded with the Grandison surname. That placed it at #12,373 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grandison surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016. That gives Grandison a modern rank of #10,052.

What does the Grandison surname mean?

From a French location referring to a large manor or estate.

What does the Grandison map show?

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