NameCensus.

UK surname

Greatorex

An English surname originating from the Middle English phrase "great aurochs".

In the 1881 census there were 917 people recorded with the Greatorex surname, ranking it #4,177 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,473, ranked #4,181, down from #4,177 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St Werburgh and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derbyshire Dales, Wakefield and Newark and Sherwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Greatorex is 1,620 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.6%.

1881 census count

917

Ranked #4,177

Modern count

1,473

2016, ranked #4,181

Peak year

1998

1,620 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Greatorex had 917 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,177 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,473 in 2016, ranked #4,181.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,512 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Greatorex surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Greatorex surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Greatorex 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 621 #4,162
1861 historical 436 #5,907
1881 historical 917 #4,177
1891 historical 951 #4,353
1901 historical 1,311 #3,810
1911 historical 1,512 #3,197
1997 modern 1,567 #3,763
1998 modern 1,620 #3,797
1999 modern 1,604 #3,869
2000 modern 1,597 #3,866
2001 modern 1,559 #3,874
2002 modern 1,566 #3,933
2003 modern 1,510 #3,978
2004 modern 1,523 #3,944
2005 modern 1,489 #3,986
2006 modern 1,495 #3,977
2007 modern 1,475 #4,060
2008 modern 1,487 #4,066
2009 modern 1,503 #4,113
2010 modern 1,534 #4,126
2011 modern 1,548 #4,035
2012 modern 1,517 #4,044
2013 modern 1,525 #4,099
2014 modern 1,515 #4,144
2015 modern 1,500 #4,142
2016 modern 1,473 #4,181

Geography

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Where Greatorex' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St Werburgh, Manchester, Youlgrave and Wirksworth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Derbyshire Dales, Wakefield and Newark and Sherwood. 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 3
2 St Werburgh Derbyshire
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Youlgrave Derbyshire
5 Wirksworth Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derbyshire Dales 006 Derbyshire Dales
2 Wakefield 032 Wakefield
3 Derbyshire Dales 007 Derbyshire Dales
4 Newark and Sherwood 001 Newark and Sherwood
5 Derbyshire Dales 008 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

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First names often paired with Greatorex

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Greatorex

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Greatorex is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Greatorex is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Greatorex falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Greatorex

The surname GREATOREX has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "greate" meaning "great" and "orex" meaning "ox," suggesting a connection to cattle farming or a particularly large ox.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1195, where a person named Richard Greatrix is mentioned. This spelling variation provides insight into the name's evolution over time.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records across the Midlands region of England, particularly in counties like Warwickshire and Leicestershire. This suggests that the name may have originated in these areas or neighboring regions.

The Hundred Rolls of 1273 include a reference to a person named William Gretriche, further illustrating the name's early variations in spelling.

In the 14th century, the name GREATOREX began to take on its more modern spelling, as evidenced by records from the Poll Tax of 1379, which mention a John Greatorex in Staffordshire.

Notable individuals with the surname GREATOREX throughout history include:

1. Thomas Greatorex (1758-1831), an English organist and composer known for his church music and glees. 2. Ralph Greatorex (c. 1625-1676), an English clergyman and scholar who served as a chaplain to King Charles I. 3. Elizabeth Greatorex (1729-1801), an English author and poet who published several works, including "Poems on Various Subjects" in 1774. 4. John Greatorex (1786-1853), an English painter and illustrator known for his portraits and landscapes. 5. William Greatorex (1877-1949), a British engineer and inventor who held several patents related to internal combustion engines and automotive technologies.

The name GREATOREX has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Greatorex Lane in Curdworth, Warwickshire, and Greatorex Close in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

While the surname GREATOREX is not among the most common surnames in England, it has a rich history spanning several centuries and has been borne by notable individuals across various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Greatorex families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Greatorex 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. Derbyshire leads with 352 Greatorex' recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.11x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 352 25.11x
Staffordshire 94 3.11x
Middlesex 88 0.98x
Lancashire 86 0.81x
Yorkshire 70 0.79x
Surrey 51 1.17x
Nottinghamshire 45 3.73x
Leicestershire 38 3.83x
Cheshire 23 1.16x
Warwickshire 12 0.53x
Bedfordshire 11 2.37x
Durham 11 0.41x
Worcestershire 11 0.94x
Gloucestershire 9 0.51x
Hampshire 9 0.49x
Kent 3 0.10x
Shropshire 3 0.39x
Glamorgan 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wirksworth in Derbyshire leads with 44 Greatorex' recorded in 1881 and an index of 345.10x.

Place Total Index
Wirksworth 44 345.10x
Winster 37 1445.31x
Derby St Werburgh 29 35.82x
Derby St Peter 24 53.74x
Unstone 23 417.42x
Burton Upon Trent 20 28.28x
Kensington London 20 4.02x
Sheffield 20 7.08x
Leicester St Margaret 19 7.85x
Derby St Alkmund 17 40.46x
Lambeth 16 2.05x
Harrow 14 102.26x
Tutbury 13 176.39x
Battersea 12 3.64x
Wensley Snitterton 12 576.92x
Alfreton 11 25.83x
Alvaston 11 275.69x
Hartington Upper 11 164.42x
Leicester St Mary 11 13.71x
Luton 11 13.70x
Poplar London 11 6.51x
Derby All Sts 10 85.40x
Litchurch 10 17.72x
St Pancras London 10 1.39x
Stockport 10 9.83x
Stoke Upon Trent 10 3.12x
Anslow 9 769.23x
Barton Under Needwood 9 163.93x
Bonsall 9 216.87x
Cannock 9 17.06x
Hulme 9 4.06x
Manchester 9 1.88x
Mansfield 9 21.55x
Moss Side 9 16.10x
Thorpe Salvin 9 810.81x
Aston Cum Aughton 8 110.19x
Birmingham 8 1.06x
Brassington 8 377.36x
Chelsea London 8 2.96x
Croydon 8 3.30x
Idridgehay Alton 8 1081.08x
Chorley 7 11.74x
Great Bolton 7 4.97x
Morton 7 259.26x
Rawmarsh 7 22.33x
Shottle 7 1147.54x
Warblington 7 96.15x
Basford 6 10.79x
Denton 6 25.48x
Ealing 6 7.50x
Low Dinsdale 6 779.22x
Newington 6 1.81x
Northfield 6 27.04x
Styrrup 6 335.20x
Brightside Bierlow 5 2.87x
Cheltenham 5 3.69x
Chorlton On Medlock 5 2.96x
Congleton 5 14.64x
Hartington Nether 5 431.03x
Kirk Langley 5 240.38x
Monks Coppenhall 5 6.70x
Rowsley Great 5 574.71x
Rusholme 5 17.64x
Salford 5 1.60x
Stanton Newhall 5 111.36x
Sunderland Bridge 5 118.48x
Tatenhill 5 243.90x
Teversall 5 393.70x
Uttoxeter 5 32.32x
Areley Kings 4 192.31x
Burntwood Edial 4 20.71x
Claylane 4 20.52x
Dronfield 4 22.26x
Ecclesall Bierlow 4 2.22x
Hunslet 4 2.89x
Matlock 4 21.25x
Parwich 4 277.78x
Southwell 4 45.51x
St Andrew Holborn London 4 10.32x
Stretton 4 207.25x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 58
Elizabeth 55
Sarah 44
Annie 14
Eliza 14
Ellen 14
Alice 13
Ann 13
Jane 12
Martha 12
Emma 11
Hannah 11
Charlotte 10
Maria 10
Edith 7
Fanny 7
Frances 7
Harriet 6
Louisa 6
Selina 6
Anne 5
Emily 5
Florence 5
Grace 5
Kate 5
Margaret 5
Rachel 5
Agnes 4
Bertha 4
Harriett 4
Lucy 4
Dora 3
Elizth. 3
Esther 3
Rose 3
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Constance 2
Lydia 2
Prudence 2
Ruth 2
Selena 2
Susanna 2
Susannah 2
Charlott 1
Elsie 1
Ema 1
Emeline 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 62
William 56
George 36
Joseph 35
Thomas 26
Henry 25
James 20
Samuel 18
Charles 14
Frederick 8
Edward 7
Herbert 7
Albert 6
Arthur 6
Frank 6
Daniel 5
Josiah 5
Stephen 5
Wm. 5
Benjamin 4
Joshua 4
Robert 4
Anthony 3
Edwin 3
Thos. 3
Walter 3
Abraham 2
Alfred 2
Enoch 2
Ernest 2
Francis 2
Fred 2
Hubert 2
Hy. 2
Michael 2
Philip 2
Timothy 2
Tom 2
Vincent 2
W.H. 2
Wilfred 2
Andrew 1
Cecil 1
Cuthbert 1
Evan 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Jos. 1
Julius 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Greatorex surname: questions and answers

How common was the Greatorex surname in 1881?

In 1881, 917 people were recorded with the Greatorex surname. That placed it at #4,177 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Greatorex surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,473 in 2016. That gives Greatorex a modern rank of #4,181.

What does the Greatorex surname mean?

An English surname originating from the Middle English phrase "great aurochs".

What does the Greatorex map show?

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