NameCensus.

UK surname

Grandson

Referring to the relationship of being the son of one's child.

In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Grandson surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #32,765 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grandson is 158 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 71.4%.

1881 census count

7

Ranked #32,765

Modern count

12

2016, ranked #37,385

Peak year

1861

158 bearers

Map years

1

1861 to 1861

Key insights

  • Grandson had 7 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,765 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016, ranked #37,385.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 158 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Grandson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grandson surname density by area, 1861 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grandson 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 22 #29,378
1861 historical 158 #14,644
1881 historical 7 #32,765
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 13 #36,672
1998 modern 14 #36,565
1999 modern 12 #36,806
2000 modern 12 #36,749
2001 modern 12 #36,612
2002 modern 10 #36,902
2003 modern 13 #36,620
2004 modern 14 #36,648
2005 modern 15 #36,621
2006 modern 15 #36,707
2007 modern 14 #36,886
2008 modern 13 #37,056
2009 modern 10 #37,446
2010 modern 10 #37,517
2011 modern 10 #37,504
2012 modern 11 #37,394
2013 modern 11 #37,435
2014 modern 12 #37,355
2015 modern 13 #37,251
2016 modern 12 #37,385

Geography

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Where Grandsons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Fryern Barnet, Feock, Brading, Manchester and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Fryern Barnet Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
2 Feock Cornwall
3 Brading Hampshire
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grandson

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

Recent female names

No Forenames Found

Recent male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grandson

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Grandson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Grandson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Grandson is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grandson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Grandson

The surname "GRANDSON" is of English origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated from an occupational name, referring to someone who was the grandson of a notable or influential person. This surname may have been adopted by families who wished to establish a connection to a respected ancestor, or it could have been given as a nickname to distinguish individuals within a community.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "GRANDSON" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1239, where a certain Richard Grandson is mentioned. This record suggests that the name was already in use during the 13th century, although its exact origins remain unclear.

In the 14th century, the surname "GRANDSON" appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, where a John Grandson is listed among the taxpayers. This reference provides further evidence of the name's presence in medieval England.

During the 16th century, the surname "GRANDSON" gained prominence with the birth of Sir Edward Grandson (1520-1588), a renowned English politician and landowner from Gloucestershire. He served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the affairs of the county.

Another notable figure with the surname "GRANDSON" was Robert Grandson (1570-1633), a Scottish scholar and philosopher who authored several works on logic and metaphysics. He was born in Aberdeen and later became a professor at the University of St. Andrews.

In the 17th century, the name "GRANDSON" appears in the records of the Virginia Company of London, where a certain William Grandson is mentioned as a colonist who traveled to the New World in 1620. This suggests that the surname had spread to the Americas during the early colonial period.

The surname "GRANDSON" can also be found in the parish records of various English counties, such as Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Somerset, throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. These records often include variations in spelling, such as "Grandsonn," "Grandsonne," and "Grandsun."

Historically, the surname "GRANDSON" has been associated with various places and localities, such as Grandson Hill in Gloucestershire and Grandson's Farm in Virginia. These place names likely originated from individuals or families bearing the surname who once owned or resided in those areas.

Throughout its history, the surname "GRANDSON" has been carried by numerous individuals, including Sir Edward Grandson, Robert Grandson, William Grandson, John Grandson of Worcestershire, and Richard Grandson of Gloucestershire, all of whom left their mark on the historical record.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grandson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grandson 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. Angus leads with 4 Grandsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.39x.

County Total Index
Angus 4 63.39x
Lanarkshire 2 9.09x
Middlesex 1 1.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 4 Grandsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 170.21x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 4 170.21x
Barony 1 17.95x
Govan 1 18.38x
St Marylebone London 1 27.55x

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 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 Grandson households.

Occupation Count
Harness Maker 1

FAQ

Grandson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grandson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Grandson surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grandson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Grandson a modern rank of #37,385.

What does the Grandson surname mean?

Referring to the relationship of being the son of one's child.

What does the Grandson map show?

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