NameCensus.

UK surname

Grazier

A surname for someone who grazed or raised livestock.

In the 1881 census there were 81 people recorded with the Grazier surname, ranking it #22,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 251, ranked #16,744, up from #22,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dudley, Rowley Regis and Hampton Lovett. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bromsgrove and Dudley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grazier is 275 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 209.9%.

1881 census count

81

Ranked #22,082

Modern count

251

2016, ranked #16,744

Peak year

1998

275 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grazier had 81 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016, ranked #16,744.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 219 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Grazier surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grazier surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grazier 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 51 #24,096
1861 historical 62 #26,041
1881 historical 81 #22,082
1891 historical 149 #18,420
1901 historical 159 #17,442
1911 historical 219 #14,136
1997 modern 267 #14,623
1998 modern 275 #14,715
1999 modern 267 #15,097
2000 modern 261 #15,314
2001 modern 261 #15,066
2002 modern 265 #15,197
2003 modern 261 #15,180
2004 modern 259 #15,348
2005 modern 246 #15,802
2006 modern 244 #16,011
2007 modern 246 #16,086
2008 modern 247 #16,205
2009 modern 256 #16,145
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 257 #16,335
2012 modern 253 #16,377
2013 modern 256 #16,506
2014 modern 256 #16,643
2015 modern 250 #16,803
2016 modern 251 #16,744

Geography

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Where Graziers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dudley, Rowley Regis, Hampton Lovett, Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) and Bromsgrove, Upton Warren. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bromsgrove and Dudley. 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 Dudley Staffordshire
2 Rowley Regis Staffordshire
3 Hampton Lovett Worcestershire
4 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire
5 Bromsgrove, Upton Warren Worcestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bromsgrove 010 Bromsgrove
2 Bromsgrove 007 Bromsgrove
3 Bromsgrove 013 Bromsgrove
4 Bromsgrove 011 Bromsgrove
5 Dudley 037 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grazier

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grazier

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Grazier is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grazier is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grazier 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 Grazier 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 Grazier, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Grazier

The surname GRAZIER is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word "graissier," meaning a keeper or breeder of livestock, particularly cattle and sheep. The name initially referred to someone who owned or managed a pasture or grazing land.

In the 13th century, the name was recorded as "le Grasier" in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, indicating its early existence in England. The surname is also found in various medieval records, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1327, where it appears as "Grasyer."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GRAZIER can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a certain William le Grazier is mentioned. Another early reference is John le Grasyer, who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275.

The surname GRAZIER is closely linked to place names in England, such as Grazeley in Berkshire and Grazeley Green in Oxfordshire. These place names are derived from the Old English words "grǣs" and "lēah," meaning "grassy clearing" or "grazing meadow."

Among the notable historical figures with the surname GRAZIER, we can mention:

1. Thomas Grazier (c. 1540-1610), an English merchant and philanthropist from London, known for his charitable contributions to the city. 2. John Grazier (c. 1570-1635), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Kidderminster in Worcestershire. 3. Elizabeth Grazier (c. 1600-1670), a prominent Quaker preacher and author from Yorkshire, who faced persecution for her religious beliefs. 4. Richard Grazier (c. 1650-1720), an English architect and surveyor who worked on several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas. 5. Samuel Grazier (1715-1788), a British naval officer and explorer who participated in several voyages to the Pacific and explored parts of the coast of Australia.

The surname GRAZIER has been present in various regions of England for centuries, reflecting the agricultural and pastoral roots of its bearers. While the name has evolved over time, it remains a testament to the historical significance of livestock management and grazing practices in English society.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grazier families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grazier 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. Worcestershire leads with 42 Graziers recorded in 1881 and an index of 40.71x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 42 40.71x
Staffordshire 24 9.00x
Warwickshire 7 3.51x
Surrey 4 1.04x
Monmouthshire 2 3.50x
Cumberland 1 1.47x
Kent 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bromsgrove in Worcestershire leads with 10 Graziers recorded in 1881 and an index of 288.18x.

Place Total Index
Bromsgrove 10 288.18x
Hampton Lovett 10 20000.00x
Rowley Regis 8 107.67x
Tanworth 7 1320.75x
Tipton 7 85.78x
Worcester St John 5 406.50x
Kinver 4 519.48x
Stoke Prior 4 625.00x
Wednesfield 4 102.04x
Hanbury 3 1071.43x
Ridgacre 3 1500.00x
Chiddingfold 2 555.56x
Crowle 2 1428.57x
Inkberrow 2 476.19x
Kings Norton 2 21.62x
Upper Llanvrechva 2 224.72x
Croydon 1 4.68x
Dover St Mary Virgin 1 38.31x
Handsworth 1 15.22x
Redditch 1 47.85x
St Cuthbert W O 1 30.12x
Thames Ditton 1 125.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Annie 2
Betsey 2
Ellen 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
Myra 2
Ann 1
Anne 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Esther 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Olive 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 9
George 7
Henry 4
John 4
James 3
Thomas 3
Charles 2
Frederick 2
Albert 1
Edward 1
Elija 1
Enoch 1
Francis 1
Harry 1
Harvey 1
Herbert 1
Isaac 1
Joseph 1
Josiah 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Grazier surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grazier surname in 1881?

In 1881, 81 people were recorded with the Grazier surname. That placed it at #22,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grazier surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 251 in 2016. That gives Grazier a modern rank of #16,744.

What does the Grazier surname mean?

A surname for someone who grazed or raised livestock.

What does the Grazier map show?

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