NameCensus.

UK surname

Greedy

Having or exhibiting an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves.

In the 1881 census there were 355 people recorded with the Greedy surname, ranking it #8,679 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 335, ranked #13,611, down from #8,679 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff and Wiveliscombe. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cardiff and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Greedy is 490 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.6%.

1881 census count

355

Ranked #8,679

Modern count

335

2016, ranked #13,611

Peak year

1911

490 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Greedy had 355 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,679 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 335 in 2016, ranked #13,611.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 490 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Greedy surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Greedy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Greedy 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 275 #8,150
1861 historical 307 #8,262
1881 historical 355 #8,679
1891 historical 362 #9,569
1901 historical 394 #9,579
1911 historical 490 #7,943
1997 modern 324 #12,859
1998 modern 338 #12,829
1999 modern 335 #12,993
2000 modern 334 #12,980
2001 modern 322 #13,098
2002 modern 332 #13,090
2003 modern 325 #13,104
2004 modern 313 #13,502
2005 modern 318 #13,302
2006 modern 313 #13,517
2007 modern 317 #13,532
2008 modern 322 #13,487
2009 modern 328 #13,574
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 337 #13,463
2012 modern 327 #13,654
2013 modern 334 #13,648
2014 modern 340 #13,554
2015 modern 333 #13,676
2016 modern 335 #13,611

Geography

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Where Greedys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Wiveliscombe, Cardiff St John and St Mary and Wellington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cardiff and Taunton Deane. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
3 Wiveliscombe Somerset
4 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
5 Wellington Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cardiff 007 Cardiff
2 Cardiff 039 Cardiff
3 Cardiff 006 Cardiff
4 Taunton Deane 003 Taunton Deane
5 Taunton Deane 005 Taunton Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Greedy

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Greedy

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Greedy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Greedy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Greedy 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

Greedy is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Greedy falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Greedy

The surname Greedy originated in England during the late medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "gredig" or "graedig," meaning "greedy" or "voracious." It was initially a descriptive nickname given to someone perceived as having an excessive appetite or a greedy nature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1208, where a William Gredy is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1273, referencing a John Gredy.

In the 14th century, the surname Greedy was documented in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Oxfordshire. One notable individual was John Greedy, a landowner in Somerset, who was mentioned in records from the year 1332.

The Greedy surname has also been associated with several place names, such as Gredenton (now known as Gredington) in Shropshire and Gredney in Herefordshire. These place names may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname, including Gredey, Gredy, and Gredney.

Throughout history, several individuals with the surname Greedy have achieved notable status. In the 16th century, William Greedy (c. 1520-1588) was a prominent English politician and Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury. Another notable figure was Sir Samuel Greedy (1619-1708), a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Warwickshire during the reign of Charles II.

During the 17th century, John Greedy (1608-1693) was a English clergyman and author, known for his work "The Vision of Protestant Truth." In the 18th century, Thomas Greedy (1726-1798) was a renowned English portraitist and landscape painter.

In the 19th century, Richard Greedy (1801-1877) was a prominent English architect responsible for designing several churches and public buildings in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

While the surname Greedy may have originated from a descriptive nickname, it has since become a distinctive and widely dispersed English surname, with a rich history and notable individuals bearing the name throughout various periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Greedy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Greedy 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. Somerset leads with 239 Greedys recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.87x.

County Total Index
Somerset 239 43.87x
Devon 32 4.54x
Glamorgan 19 3.22x
Middlesex 17 0.50x
Gloucestershire 9 1.36x
Yorkshire 6 0.18x
Cheshire 4 0.54x
Essex 3 0.45x
Kent 3 0.26x
Lancashire 3 0.07x
Monmouthshire 3 1.23x
Surrey 3 0.18x
Warwickshire 2 0.23x
Dorset 1 0.45x
Hampshire 1 0.14x
Hertfordshire 1 0.43x
Royal Navy 1 2.48x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wiveliscombe in Somerset leads with 96 Greedys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3157.89x.

Place Total Index
Wiveliscombe 96 3157.89x
Wellington 34 460.08x
Bishops Lydeard 19 1366.91x
Taunton St Mary 15 150.00x
Bampton 10 462.96x
Bedminster 10 19.53x
Llandaff 10 50.99x
Brompton Ralph 9 1836.73x
Roath 9 33.62x
East Quantoxhead 8 2857.14x
Keynsham 8 204.60x
Lydeard St Lawrence 8 1311.48x
St George Hanover Square 8 13.41x
Yarcombe 8 987.65x
Baltonsborough 6 740.74x
Morebath 5 980.39x
St Pancras London 5 1.84x
Halse 4 851.06x
Milverton 4 199.01x
Minehead 4 194.17x
Oxton 4 94.56x
Bridgewater 3 20.28x
Bristol St Mary Redcliff 3 49.59x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 4.80x
Horton In Bradford 3 5.73x
Huntsham 3 1304.35x
Monckton Combe 3 172.41x
Trevethin 3 12.98x
Aston 2 0.85x
Bowling 2 6.02x
Cheetham 2 6.68x
Combe Raleigh 2 740.74x
Croydon 2 2.18x
Deal 2 20.30x
St Marylebone London 2 1.11x
Taunton St James 2 25.16x
Tiverton 2 16.47x
West Ham 2 1.36x
Ash Priors 1 434.78x
Berkhampstead 1 19.08x
Bristol St Paul In 1 5.66x
Clifton 1 2.98x
Fitzhead 1 322.58x
Ingatestone 1 93.46x
Isleworth 1 6.64x
Langton Long Blandford 1 312.50x
Martock 1 28.25x
Old Cleeve 1 51.28x
Pendleton In Salford 1 2.09x
Pilton 1 42.92x
Reigate Foreign 1 5.60x
Royal Navy 1 2.90x
South Molton 1 25.84x
Southampton St Mary 1 2.29x
St Sepulchre London 1 20.16x
Staplegrove 1 151.52x
Upton 1 303.03x
Walmer 1 19.92x
Westbury On Trym 1 4.45x
York St Mary 1 7.20x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 18
Sarah 11
Ann 10
Charlotte 9
Emma 9
Jane 9
Maria 9
Alice 7
Ellen 6
Caroline 5
Annie 4
Eliza 4
Florence 4
Harriet 4
Anna 3
Edith 3
Emily 3
Hannah 3
Lucy 3
Matilda 3
Amy 2
Eva 2
Rose 2
Anne 1
Beatrice 1
Benjamin 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Charity 1
Clara 1
Esther 1
Etta 1
Fannie 1
Fanny 1
Henry 1
Henryetta 1
Hester 1
Isabella 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Louisa 1
Marianne 1
Martha 1
Minna 1
Not 1
Ruth 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Wilmot 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 25
John 20
Thomas 13
George 11
Frederick 8
James 7
Henry 6
Robert 6
Charles 5
Francis 5
Fred 5
Samuel 5
Frank 4
Walter 4
Albert 3
Benjamin 3
Harry 3
Joseph 3
Arthur 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Isaac 2
Sidney 2
Albin 1
Charley 1
Edward 1
Eli 1
Henery 1
J. 1
Jabez 1
Jno. 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Percy 1
Sam 1
Theophilus 1
Tom 1
Wallis 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Greedy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Greedy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 355 people were recorded with the Greedy surname. That placed it at #8,679 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Greedy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 335 in 2016. That gives Greedy a modern rank of #13,611.

What does the Greedy surname mean?

Having or exhibiting an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves.

What does the Greedy map show?

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