NameCensus.

UK surname

Grecu

A surname derived from the Greek ethnic group.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brent, Enfield and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grecu is 139 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

139

2016, ranked #25,001

Peak year

2016

139 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016, ranked #25,001.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 15 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Grecu surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grecu surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grecu 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
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1999 modern 1 #38,820
2002 modern 4 #37,921
2003 modern 5 #37,750
2004 modern 6 #37,655
2005 modern 9 #37,302
2006 modern 12 #37,014
2007 modern 22 #36,213
2008 modern 28 #35,875
2009 modern 36 #35,496
2010 modern 49 #34,886
2011 modern 53 #34,630
2012 modern 84 #32,502
2013 modern 88 #32,349
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 119 #27,684
2016 modern 139 #25,001

Geography

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Where Grecus 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 Brent, Enfield and Hillingdon. 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 Brent 003 Brent
2 Enfield 016 Enfield
3 Brent 005 Brent
4 Brent 012 Brent
5 Hillingdon 009 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grecu

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grecu

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Grecu surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Grecu 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Grecu is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grecu 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

Grecu falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grecu is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Grecu

The surname Grecu has its origins in Romania, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is derived from the Romanian word "grec," meaning "Greek," and was likely given to individuals who had connections to Greek culture or ancestry. The name is particularly prevalent in the historical regions of Wallachia and Moldavia.

One of the earliest known references to the name Grecu can be found in the Wallachian cadastral records from the late 16th century, where it appears as "Grecul." This suggests that the name was already well-established in the region at that time.

In the 17th century, the name Grecu appears in various documents and manuscripts from the Romanian principalities. Notable examples include mentions in the chronicles of Miron Costin, a prominent Moldavian chronicler and statesman, and the writings of Dimitrie Cantemir, a Moldavian Prince and scholar.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname Grecu is Iancu Grecu, a Wallachian boyar (nobleman) who lived in the late 16th century. Another notable figure from this period is Radu Grecu, a Moldavian diplomat and scholar who served as a translator and interpreter for Prince Vasile Lupu in the 1640s.

In the 18th century, the Grecu family gained prominence in the region, with several members holding important positions in the Wallachian and Moldavian courts. One notable figure was Constantin Grecu (1726-1798), a Wallachian prince and scholar who served as the ruler of Wallachia from 1770 to 1771.

During the 19th century, the name Grecu continued to be well-represented in various fields, including politics, literature, and academia. Some notable individuals from this period include Gheorghe Grecu (1813-1897), a Wallachian politician and diplomat, and Alexandru Grecu (1845-1917), a Romanian writer and journalist.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the surname Grecu made significant contributions to various fields. These include Ion Grecu (1891-1969), a Romanian mathematician and educator, and Horia Grecu (1926-2007), a renowned Romanian painter and sculptor.

The name Grecu has its roots in the historical regions of Wallachia and Moldavia, and its presence can be traced back to the 16th century. Throughout its history, the name has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including noblemen, scholars, diplomats, writers, artists, and academics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Grecu surname: questions and answers

How common is the Grecu surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 139 in 2016. That gives Grecu a modern rank of #25,001.

What does the Grecu surname mean?

A surname derived from the Greek ethnic group.

What does the Grecu map show?

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