NameCensus.

UK surname

Graves

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a grove or burial ground.

In the 1881 census there were 4,540 people recorded with the Graves surname, ranking it #988 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6,088, ranked #1,111, down from #988 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eden, North Lincolnshire and Fenland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Graves is 6,638 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.1%.

1881 census count

4,540

Ranked #988

Modern count

6,088

2016, ranked #1,111

Peak year

1999

6,638 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Graves had 4,540 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #988 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 6,088 in 2016, ranked #1,111.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6,252 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Graves surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Graves surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Graves 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 3,317 #873
1861 historical 3,056 #944
1881 historical 4,540 #988
1891 historical 4,871 #958
1901 historical 5,677 #982
1911 historical 6,252 #825
1997 modern 6,357 #1,035
1998 modern 6,571 #1,041
1999 modern 6,638 #1,035
2000 modern 6,544 #1,047
2001 modern 6,380 #1,048
2002 modern 6,505 #1,050
2003 modern 6,272 #1,063
2004 modern 6,252 #1,071
2005 modern 6,150 #1,068
2006 modern 6,071 #1,075
2007 modern 6,081 #1,082
2008 modern 6,028 #1,102
2009 modern 6,182 #1,103
2010 modern 6,260 #1,112
2011 modern 6,222 #1,101
2012 modern 6,042 #1,110
2013 modern 6,161 #1,106
2014 modern 6,191 #1,109
2015 modern 6,118 #1,108
2016 modern 6,088 #1,111

Geography

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Where Graves' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Leonard Shoreditch, St John Hackney and Cottenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eden, North Lincolnshire, Fenland and Boston. 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 London parishes London 1
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 Cottenham Cambridgeshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eden 002 Eden
2 North Lincolnshire 001 North Lincolnshire
3 Fenland 011 Fenland
4 North Lincolnshire 013 North Lincolnshire
5 Boston 007 Boston

Forenames

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First names often paired with Graves

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Graves

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

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Graves surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Graves 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Graves is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Graves is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Graves falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Graves

The surname Graves has its origins in England, dating back to the early medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "grave," which means a small brook or stream. This term was often used to describe a person who lived near a small brook or stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Graves can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Graua." This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as "atte Grave" and "de la Grave," indicating its connection to a specific location or landmark. As time passed, the name evolved into its modern spelling of "Graves."

One notable bearer of the Graves surname was Sir Thomas Graves (c. 1585-1653), an English soldier and politician who served as a member of Parliament during the English Civil War. Another prominent figure was Admiral Samuel Graves (1713-1787), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War.

In the literary world, Robert Graves (1895-1985), a renowned English poet, novelist, and scholar, made significant contributions to literature. His works, including "I, Claudius" and "The White Goddess," have left a lasting impact on readers worldwide.

The Graves surname also has connections to place names. For instance, the village of Gravesend in Kent, England, is believed to have derived its name from the Old English words "grāf" meaning "grove" and "end" meaning "corner" or "remote place."

Other notable individuals bearing the Graves surname include Sir George Graves (1785-1835), an English naval officer and explorer, and Michael Graves (1934-2015), an influential American architect known for his postmodern designs.

Throughout history, the Graves surname has been present across various regions of England, with concentrations in counties like Kent, Essex, and Suffolk. While the name has evolved over time, its roots can be traced back to the early medieval period, reflecting the historical significance of this English surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Graves families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Graves 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. Lincolnshire leads with 728 Graves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.28x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 728 10.28x
Middlesex 645 1.46x
Yorkshire 417 0.95x
Lancashire 314 0.60x
Surrey 289 1.34x
Kent 275 1.82x
Cumberland 206 5.40x
Essex 186 2.13x
Cambridgeshire 179 6.38x
Norfolk 156 2.29x
Hertfordshire 98 3.21x
Nottinghamshire 91 1.52x
Leicestershire 89 1.81x
Warwickshire 71 0.64x
Devon 70 0.76x
Hampshire 47 0.52x
Cheshire 46 0.47x
Sussex 44 0.59x
Berkshire 41 1.23x
Derbyshire 41 0.59x
Durham 39 0.30x
Herefordshire 37 2.04x
Huntingdonshire 35 3.98x
Northamptonshire 33 0.79x
Worcestershire 31 0.54x
Gloucestershire 28 0.32x
Suffolk 28 0.52x
Westmorland 25 2.57x
Buckinghamshire 24 0.90x
Somerset 24 0.34x
Bedfordshire 23 1.00x
Oxfordshire 22 0.80x
Monmouthshire 18 0.56x
Glamorgan 17 0.22x
Staffordshire 17 0.11x
Northumberland 15 0.23x
Isle of Man 14 1.70x
Lanarkshire 11 0.08x
Wiltshire 11 0.28x
Dorset 8 0.28x
Shropshire 7 0.18x
Channel Islands 6 0.46x
Renfrewshire 6 0.17x
Dumfriesshire 5 0.51x
Midlothian 5 0.08x
Pembrokeshire 5 0.36x
Rutland 4 1.23x
Anglesey 2 0.25x
Cornwall 2 0.04x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.06x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.05x
Flintshire 1 0.08x
Royal Navy 1 0.19x
West Lothian 1 0.15x
Wigtownshire 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 70 Graves' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.82x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 70 2.82x
Islington London 65 1.51x
Cottenham 61 163.58x
Shoreditch London 57 2.97x
Lambeth 55 1.42x
West Ham 55 2.85x
Great Grimsby 42 9.34x
Holy Trinity 39 3.69x
Leicester St Margaret 38 3.17x
St Pancras London 38 1.07x
Croydon 36 3.00x
Paddington London 36 2.21x
Kensington London 35 1.42x
Liverpool 35 1.10x
Louth 34 20.95x
Mile End Old Town London 32 3.39x
Sheffield 32 2.29x
Egremont 30 32.99x
Poplar London 30 3.59x
Keswick 29 59.49x
St Marylebone London 29 1.23x
Ecclesall Bierlow 28 3.14x
St George Hanover Square 28 3.59x
Chatteris 27 37.72x
Anstey 25 128.80x
Bermondsey 25 1.90x
Legbourne 25 346.26x
Skirbeck 25 62.97x
South Somercoates 24 372.67x
West Derby 23 1.50x
Bradford 22 2.07x
Bromley London 22 2.26x
Brightside Bierlow 21 2.44x
Camberwell 21 0.74x
Carbrooke 21 226.29x
Debden 21 169.77x
Fakenham 21 62.61x
Great Yarmouth 21 3.72x
Kirkdale 21 2.37x
Deal 20 15.51x
Spaldington 19 422.22x
Withycombe Rawleigh 19 39.55x
Battersea 18 1.10x
Buckland In Dover 18 35.94x
Folkestone 18 6.14x
Manchester 18 0.76x
Metheringham 18 63.63x
Aspatria 17 46.37x
Aston 17 0.55x
Birmingham 17 0.46x
Hammersmith London 17 1.56x
Newark Upon Trent 17 7.92x
Whitehaven 17 8.36x
Aughton 16 30.74x
Bethnal Green London 16 0.83x
Boston 16 7.45x
Clerkenwell London 16 1.53x
Ely Holy Trinity St Mary 16 13.08x
Leeds 16 0.65x
Nether Hallam 16 2.69x
St Luke London 16 2.25x
Welbourn 16 190.02x
Aby 15 280.37x
Alford 15 34.17x
Deptford St Paul 15 1.29x
Gayton Le Marsh 15 398.94x
Great Sampford 15 159.74x
St Woollos 15 4.20x
Barking 14 5.47x
Dalton In Furness 14 6.90x
Everton 14 0.84x
Finchley 14 8.24x
Kirton 14 49.35x
Portsea 14 0.79x
Sandon 14 121.00x
Birkenhead 13 1.67x
Blankney 13 130.26x
Plumstead 13 2.58x
Ripple 13 310.26x
Watford 13 5.49x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 316
Elizabeth 166
Sarah 166
Eliza 87
Alice 83
Jane 83
Ann 82
Emma 71
Annie 67
Ellen 57
Emily 57
Hannah 51
Louisa 43
Charlotte 39
Martha 39
Margaret 37
Harriet 36
Susan 36
Florence 29
Harriett 26
Caroline 25
Maria 25
Agnes 22
Clara 21
Edith 21
Fanny 21
Frances 20
Catherine 18
Lucy 18
Ada 17
Gertrude 16
Kate 16
Rebecca 14
Amelia 12
Anne 12
Rose 12
Susannah 11
Betsy 10
Ethel 10
Minnie 10
Esther 9
Sophia 9
Amy 8
Elizth. 8
Isabella 8
Rosa 8
Jessie 7
Julia 7
Laura 7
Lydia 6

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 274
William 262
George 194
Thomas 166
James 119
Charles 102
Henry 91
Joseph 78
Arthur 67
Robert 63
Frederick 45
Walter 44
Alfred 39
Richard 39
Edward 37
Harry 29
Herbert 29
Albert 25
Samuel 23
Francis 20
Ernest 19
Fred 16
Thos. 16
Frank 15
Edmund 11
Edwin 11
Geo. 11
Willm. 11
David 10
Wm. 10
Stephen 9
Andrew 7
Benjamin 7
Isaac 7
Fredrick 6
Peter 6
Fredk. 5
Hugh 5
Anthony 4
Archibald 4
Daniel 4
Leonard 4
Mark 4
Percy 4
Sidney 4
Tom 4
Horace 3
Jabez 3
Jonathan 3
Sydney 3

FAQ

Graves surname: questions and answers

How common was the Graves surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,540 people were recorded with the Graves surname. That placed it at #988 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Graves surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 6,088 in 2016. That gives Graves a modern rank of #1,111.

What does the Graves surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a grove or burial ground.

What does the Graves map show?

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