UK surname
A surname derived from a topographic name indicating someone living near a ditch or carved path.
In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Graven surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 83, ranked #32,815, down from #23,062 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, King's Lynn St Margaret and Winch, West. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Graven is 122 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.2%.
1881 census count
74
Ranked #23,062
Modern count
83
2016, ranked #32,815
Peak year
1861
122 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Graven surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Graven surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 27 | #28,467 |
| 1861 | historical | 122 | #18,036 |
| 1881 | historical | 74 | #23,062 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 74 | #25,958 |
| 1911 | historical | 65 | #26,343 |
| 1997 | modern | 93 | #27,932 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 85 | #29,578 |
| 2000 | modern | 84 | #29,706 |
| 2001 | modern | 81 | #29,828 |
| 2002 | modern | 90 | #29,314 |
| 2003 | modern | 88 | #29,506 |
| 2004 | modern | 88 | #29,758 |
| 2005 | modern | 78 | #31,058 |
| 2006 | modern | 74 | #31,850 |
| 2007 | modern | 73 | #32,287 |
| 2008 | modern | 78 | #32,081 |
| 2009 | modern | 85 | #31,717 |
| 2010 | modern | 86 | #32,081 |
| 2011 | modern | 81 | #32,558 |
| 2012 | modern | 81 | #32,796 |
| 2013 | modern | 83 | #32,813 |
| 2014 | modern | 83 | #32,910 |
| 2015 | modern | 81 | #32,975 |
| 2016 | modern | 83 | #32,815 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth, King's Lynn St Margaret, Winch, West, Manchester and Glasgow. 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.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coveney, Manea, Mepal, Downham, Witcham, Witchford, Wentworth | Cambridgeshire |
| 2 | King's Lynn St Margaret | Norfolk |
| 3 | Winch, West | Norfolk |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Graven surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Graven, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Graven surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Graven household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Graven 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
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Graven is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Graven, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Graven is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "grafen," which means "engraved" or "carved." This suggests that the name may have been associated with the occupation of a carver or sculptor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Graven surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gravene." This entry indicates that individuals bearing this surname were present in England during the Norman conquest.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Graven surname was particularly prevalent in the county of Yorkshire. Records from this period show variations in spelling, such as "Graven," "Gravene," and "Graven."
The surname Graven is also closely linked to the village of Graven in North Yorkshire. It is possible that some individuals bearing this surname may have originated from or resided in this area.
Notable individuals with the surname Graven throughout history include:
1. William Graven (c. 1480 - 1556), an English stonemason and sculptor who worked on several prominent buildings in London, including the King's College Chapel at Cambridge.
2. John Graven (1592 - 1657), an English engraver and printmaker known for his intricate woodcut illustrations in religious texts.
3. Elizabeth Graven (c. 1620 - 1689), a renowned embroiderer and needleworker whose creations were highly sought after by the English nobility.
4. Richard Graven (1715 - 1799), a British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Old Bailey courthouse.
5. Thomas Graven (1856 - 1932), a British sculptor and wood carver who gained recognition for his intricate carvings adorning churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
While the Graven surname may have been more prevalent in certain regions of England, it has since spread throughout the English-speaking world, with individuals bearing this name found in various countries and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Graven surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 25 Gravens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.92x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 25 | 2.92x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 5.65x |
| Lanarkshire | 7 | 3.00x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.99x |
| Durham | 4 | 1.86x |
| Norfolk | 4 | 3.61x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.42x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 3.08x |
| Sussex | 3 | 2.47x |
| Dumfriesshire | 2 | 12.55x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 1.85x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.68x |
| Huntingdonshire | 1 | 6.98x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.41x |
| Merionethshire | 1 | 7.58x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.93x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dalton In Furness in Lancashire leads with 8 Gravens recorded in 1881 and an index of 241.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton In Furness | 8 | 241.69x |
| Middlewich | 8 | 2424.24x |
| Camberwell | 7 | 15.19x |
| Glasgow | 7 | 16.89x |
| Little Bolton | 7 | 63.58x |
| Preston | 5 | 21.82x |
| Tarleton | 5 | 1063.83x |
| Whitworth | 4 | 254.78x |
| Harting | 3 | 937.50x |
| Newark Upon Trent | 3 | 85.71x |
| Annan | 2 | 145.99x |
| Middleton | 2 | 909.09x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 15.74x |
| West Winch | 2 | 2000.00x |
| Allostock | 1 | 833.33x |
| Dolgelley | 1 | 102.04x |
| Folkestone | 1 | 20.92x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 25.77x |
| Huntingdon St John | 1 | 238.10x |
| New Cumnock | 1 | 106.38x |
| North Shields | 1 | 46.73x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.60x |
| York St Mary Castlegate | 1 | 476.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Graven surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Graven surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Graven households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 19 |
| Ag Lab | 3 |
| Iron Ore Miner | 2 |
| A B Seaman (Seaman) | 1 |
| Brass Dresser | 1 |
| Cloth Folder (C) | 1 |
| Coachman (Domestic Servant) | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Labourer indoor) | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Labourer At Confectioners | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Mill Labourer (C) | 1 |
| Mill Loader | 1 |
| Millers Wife | 1 |
| Nursemaid | 1 |
| Parlourmaid Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Seamstress | 1 |
| Silk Hand (Manuf) | 1 |
| Silk Manufacturer | 1 |
| W Of Coal Miner | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Graven surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 83 in 2016. That gives Graven a modern rank of #32,815.
A surname derived from a topographic name indicating someone living near a ditch or carved path.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Graven bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.