NameCensus.

UK surname

Grassi

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who cuts or sells grass or hay.

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Grassi surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 153, ranked #23,408, up from #32,416 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Basingstoke and Deane, Waltham Forest and Bedford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grassi is 154 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 1600.0%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

153

2016, ranked #23,408

Peak year

2015

154 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grassi had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016, ranked #23,408.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 45 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Grassi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grassi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grassi 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 4 #32,658
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 13 #33,099
1901 historical 16 #32,260
1911 historical 45 #28,332
1997 modern 108 #25,788
1998 modern 129 #23,722
1999 modern 128 #24,017
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 129 #23,557
2002 modern 130 #23,903
2003 modern 133 #23,359
2004 modern 132 #23,625
2005 modern 125 #24,398
2006 modern 122 #25,010
2007 modern 122 #25,353
2008 modern 121 #25,785
2009 modern 123 #26,098
2010 modern 126 #26,312
2011 modern 134 #25,050
2012 modern 134 #25,059
2013 modern 144 #24,323
2014 modern 149 #23,969
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 153 #23,408

Geography

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Where Grassis 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 Basingstoke and Deane, Waltham Forest, Bedford, Brent and Brighton and Hove. 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 Basingstoke and Deane 017 Basingstoke and Deane
2 Waltham Forest 007 Waltham Forest
3 Bedford 014 Bedford
4 Brent 030 Brent
5 Brighton and Hove 026 Brighton and Hove

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grassi

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grassi

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Grassi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Grassi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Grassi is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grassi 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

Grassi falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grassi 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 - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Grassi

The surname Grassi is of Italian origin, derived from the Italian word "grasso" meaning "fat" or "stout." It likely originated as a nickname for a person of larger stature or build.

The earliest known record of the name Grassi dates back to the late 13th century in the region of Tuscany, Italy. Documents from this time period show the name spelled as "Grassus" or "Grassi."

In the 14th century, the Grassi family gained prominence in the city of Florence, where they were involved in various trades and professions. A notable member was Desiderio Grassi (1324-1398), a renowned painter and artist from Florence.

During the Renaissance period, the Grassi name appeared in several important manuscripts and records. One example is the Codice Rustici, a 15th-century collection of drawings and writings from Florence, which mentions a certain Giovanni Grassi, a merchant and patron of the arts.

The name Grassi has also been associated with several place names in Italy, such as Grassina, a town near Florence, and Grassano, a town in the province of Matera.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Grassi, including:

1. Orazio Grassi (1583-1654), an Italian Jesuit priest, mathematician, and astronomer known for his work in optics and his contributions to the scientific revolution. 2. Giovanni Battista Grassi (1775-1834), an Italian architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Milan. 3. Faustino Grassi (1836-1902), an Italian pianist and composer known for his virtuosic piano works and his teaching at the Milan Conservatory. 4. Eugenia Grassi (1876-1958), an Italian operatic soprano who performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and other major opera houses. 5. Goffredo Grassi (1905-1994), an Italian film director and screenwriter who worked during the Golden Age of Italian cinema.

The surname Grassi has remained prevalent in Italy, particularly in regions like Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy, where it has a long-standing presence and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grassi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grassi 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. Surrey leads with 5 Grassis recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.71x.

County Total Index
Surrey 5 11.71x
Staffordshire 2 6.76x
Devon 1 5.48x
Middlesex 1 1.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Putney in Surrey leads with 5 Grassis recorded in 1881 and an index of 1250.00x.

Place Total Index
Putney 5 1250.00x
Wolverhampton 2 88.11x
St Anne Soho London 1 200.00x
Stoke Damerel 1 78.13x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Adelaide 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Lucy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Pietro 2
Carlo 1
Francesco 1
Stephen 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 Grassi households.

FAQ

Grassi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grassi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Grassi surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grassi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 153 in 2016. That gives Grassi a modern rank of #23,408.

What does the Grassi surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who cuts or sells grass or hay.

What does the Grassi map show?

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