NameCensus.

UK surname

Greenhall

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived in a green-colored or verdant hall.

In the 1881 census there were 229 people recorded with the Greenhall surname, ranking it #11,784 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 156, ranked #23,098, down from #11,784 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Preston, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken and Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Herefordshire, Bridgend and Forest of Dean.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Greenhall is 229 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 31.9%.

1881 census count

229

Ranked #11,784

Modern count

156

2016, ranked #23,098

Peak year

1881

229 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Greenhall had 229 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,784 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 156 in 2016, ranked #23,098.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 229 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Greenhall surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Greenhall surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Greenhall 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 90 #18,317
1861 historical 183 #12,903
1881 historical 229 #11,784
1891 historical 202 #14,808
1901 historical 167 #16,943
1911 historical 173 #16,361
1997 modern 148 #21,295
1998 modern 160 #20,832
1999 modern 164 #20,621
2000 modern 164 #20,584
2001 modern 161 #20,543
2002 modern 171 #20,177
2003 modern 155 #21,217
2004 modern 154 #21,432
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 150 #21,915
2007 modern 154 #21,804
2008 modern 155 #21,956
2009 modern 170 #21,095
2010 modern 183 #20,586
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 175 #20,984
2013 modern 167 #21,984
2014 modern 163 #22,547
2015 modern 160 #22,701
2016 modern 156 #23,098

Geography

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Where Greenhalls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Preston, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken, Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire), Tanworth and Birmingham Town: Birmingham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Herefordshire, Bridgend, Forest of Dean and Coventry. 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 Preston Lancashire
2 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
3 Halesowen (all except Hunnington, Romsley; partly in Halesowen, Worcestershire) Staffordshire
4 Tanworth Warwickshire
5 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Herefordshire 005 Herefordshire, County of
2 Bridgend 016 Bridgend
3 Bridgend 006 Bridgend
4 Forest of Dean 004 Forest of Dean
5 Coventry 002 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Greenhall

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Greenhall

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Greenhall is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Greenhall is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Greenhall 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 Greenhall 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Greenhall

The surname Greenhall is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the 13th century. It is believed to have originated from the Old English words "grene," meaning green, and "heal," meaning a hall or a dwelling, suggesting that the name refers to a person residing in a green or verdant hall.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Greenhall can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327, where it appears as "de Grenehall." This early spelling variation highlights the connection to a specific location or estate.

During the medieval period, the name was often associated with landed gentry or nobility who owned estates or manors bearing the name "Greenhall." For example, the Greenhall family of Hertfordshire is mentioned in various historical records from the 14th and 15th centuries, with Sir William Greenhall (born c. 1380) being a notable figure who served as a knight in the service of King Henry V during the Hundred Years' War.

Another early mention of the name can be found in the Hearth Tax Rolls of Yorkshire from 1672, where a Thomas Greenhall is listed as a taxpayer in the village of Ripley. This record suggests the presence of the Greenhall family in the northern counties of England during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, the name Greenhall gained prominence in the literary world with the poet and playwright Thomas Greenhall (1694-1773), who was born in Lancashire and is best known for his satirical works and plays performed in London theaters.

As the name spread beyond its original geographic roots, it diversified into various spellings, such as Greenhall, Greenhal, and Greenhaugh. One notable individual with this variation was Sir Richard Greenhaugh (1762-1832), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was honored with a knighthood for his distinguished service.

Throughout history, the Greenhall surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including merchants, clergymen, and military personnel. For instance, Reverend John Greenhall (1807-1892) was a prominent Anglican clergyman who served as the Dean of Durham Cathedral in the late 19th century.

While the surname Greenhall may not be among the most common in modern times, its historical significance and association with various notable figures serve as a testament to its enduring legacy and the rich tapestry of English heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Greenhall families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Greenhall 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. Lancashire leads with 76 Greenhalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.87x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 76 2.87x
Warwickshire 38 6.75x
Worcestershire 32 10.97x
Yorkshire 15 0.68x
Staffordshire 12 1.59x
Cheshire 11 2.23x
Essex 11 2.49x
Surrey 10 0.92x
Kent 8 1.05x
Hampshire 5 1.09x
Middlesex 5 0.22x
Lincolnshire 2 0.56x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.71x
Cumberland 1 0.52x
Herefordshire 1 1.09x
Rutland 1 6.10x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aston in Warwickshire leads with 14 Greenhalls recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.03x.

Place Total Index
Aston 14 9.03x
Coventry Holy Trinity 11 65.40x
Pendlebury 11 196.43x
West Ham 11 11.30x
Abram 9 443.35x
Bradford 8 14.93x
Halesowen 8 312.50x
Kings Norton 8 30.58x
Pemberton 8 75.69x
Birmingham 7 3.73x
Clapham 7 25.07x
Handsworth 7 37.67x
Openshaw 7 56.41x
Bury 6 19.82x
Manchester 6 5.03x
Basingstoke 5 94.88x
Hartlebury 5 287.36x
Hasbury 5 261.78x
Woolwich 5 17.76x
Dalton In Huddersfield 4 80.65x
Hulme 4 7.23x
Knutsford Nether 4 134.23x
Tanworth 4 268.46x
Walton Le Dale 4 56.18x
Wigan 4 10.80x
Worcester St Peter 4 72.46x
Battersea 3 3.65x
Birkenhead 3 7.63x
Chester St Peter St 3 566.04x
Lancaster 3 19.02x
Preston 3 4.23x
Dover Castle 2 363.64x
Kensington London 2 1.61x
Kingswinford 2 7.30x
Parr 2 21.10x
St Luke London 2 5.58x
Thornton In Fylde 2 34.48x
Wolverhampton 2 3.45x
Worcester St John 2 57.47x
Accrington 1 4.15x
Aspull 1 16.05x
Biddulph 1 23.53x
Burnley 1 4.48x
Burwell 1 58.82x
Chorley In Macclesfield 1 66.67x
Edith Weston 1 370.37x
Elland Cum Greetland 1 10.03x
Gedney 1 68.49x
Great Harwood 1 20.88x
Huyton With Roby 1 32.15x
Ince In Makerfield 1 8.11x
Leamington Priors 1 7.22x
Middlesbrough 1 3.47x
Milton In Gravesend 1 8.75x
Mirfield 1 8.23x
Penrith 1 14.08x
Solihull 1 24.69x
St Weonards 1 370.37x
Sutton St Mary St James 1 238.10x
West Derby 1 1.29x
Westminster St James 1 4.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 17
Sarah 11
Elizabeth 9
Alice 7
Emma 6
Jane 5
Ada 4
Ann 4
Annie 3
Ellen 3
Margaret 3
Martha 3
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Maria 2
Selina 2
Agnes 1
Catherine 1
Cathrin 1
Dora 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Eva 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Isabella 1
Jemima 1
John 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
Lizzie 1
Luoisa 1
Margeret 1
Margret 1
Maud 1
Minnie 1
Myra 1
Olive 1
Perthemer 1
Phoebe 1
Rose 1
Rosetta 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 14
John 13
Thomas 11
George 10
Richard 9
James 8
Joseph 5
Charles 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Henry 3
Walter 3
David 2
Harry 2
Arther 1
Earnest 1
Eastwood 1
Edward 1
Frank 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Peter 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Sidney 1
Stephen 1
Thos. 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Greenhall surname: questions and answers

How common was the Greenhall surname in 1881?

In 1881, 229 people were recorded with the Greenhall surname. That placed it at #11,784 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Greenhall surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 156 in 2016. That gives Greenhall a modern rank of #23,098.

What does the Greenhall surname mean?

An English locational surname referring to someone who lived in a green-colored or verdant hall.

What does the Greenhall map show?

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