NameCensus.

UK surname

Gregory

Derived from the Greek name Gregorios, meaning "watchful, alert, or vigilant," and popularized by several early saints.

In the 1881 census there were 20,974 people recorded with the Gregory surname, ranking it #171 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 30,765, ranked #175, down from #171 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Manchester and Sheffield. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Derbyshire Dales, Bolton and High Peak.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gregory is 32,196 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.7%.

1881 census count

20,974

Ranked #171

Modern count

30,765

2016, ranked #175

Peak year

1999

32,196 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gregory had 20,974 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #171 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 30,765 in 2016, ranked #175.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 29,201 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Gregory surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gregory surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gregory 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 13,215 #181
1861 historical 14,569 #162
1881 historical 20,974 #171
1891 historical 23,038 #161
1901 historical 26,406 #166
1911 historical 29,201 #133
1997 modern 30,692 #167
1998 modern 31,899 #169
1999 modern 32,196 #169
2000 modern 32,003 #169
2001 modern 31,317 #168
2002 modern 31,932 #169
2003 modern 31,286 #166
2004 modern 31,146 #169
2005 modern 30,668 #168
2006 modern 30,554 #168
2007 modern 30,636 #170
2008 modern 30,759 #170
2009 modern 31,438 #170
2010 modern 31,861 #173
2011 modern 31,415 #173
2012 modern 30,571 #175
2013 modern 31,315 #175
2014 modern 31,506 #175
2015 modern 31,000 #175
2016 modern 30,765 #175

Geography

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Where Gregorys are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Derbyshire Dales, Bolton and High Peak. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Manchester Lancashire
4 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Derbyshire Dales 006 Derbyshire Dales
2 Derbyshire Dales 005 Derbyshire Dales
3 Bolton 031 Bolton
4 High Peak 013 High Peak
5 Derbyshire Dales 002 Derbyshire Dales

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gregory

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gregory

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

Gregory is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gregory falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gregory

The surname GREGORY is of English origin, and it is derived from the given name Gregory, which ultimately comes from the Greek name Gregorios, meaning "watchful" or "vigilant." The name was introduced to Britain by the Christian missionaries who brought Christianity to the country in the 6th century.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname GREGORY can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holders commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest of England. The name appears in various forms, such as Gregor, Gregori, and Gregorie, reflecting the different spellings used at the time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname GREGORY was Walter Gregory, who lived in Buckinghamshire, England, in the 13th century. Another notable figure was John Gregory (1607-1646), an English clergyman and religious writer who served as the Dean of Hereford and the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.

In the 17th century, the GREGORY surname was associated with several prominent individuals, including David Gregory (1659-1708), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of calculus and the study of optics. Another notable bearer of the name was James Gregory (1638-1675), a Scottish philosopher, mathematician, and geometer who invented the first practical reflecting telescope.

The 18th century saw the rise of several influential figures with the surname GREGORY, such as John Gregory (1724-1773), a Scottish physician and writer who was a pioneer in the field of medical ethics. Another notable bearer of the name was Olinthus Gregory (1774-1841), an English mathematician and author who wrote several influential works on mathematics and science.

In more recent times, the GREGORY surname has been associated with individuals from various fields, including literature, politics, and sports. One prominent example is Dick Gregory (1932-2017), an American comedian, civil rights activist, and social critic who was a leading figure in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

These examples illustrate the long and varied history of the surname GREGORY, which has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions over the centuries. The name's Greek roots and its association with the spread of Christianity have contributed to its enduring presence and significance in English-speaking cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Gregory surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gregory surname in 1881?

In 1881, 20,974 people were recorded with the Gregory surname. That placed it at #171 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gregory surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 30,765 in 2016. That gives Gregory a modern rank of #175.

What does the Gregory surname mean?

Derived from the Greek name Gregorios, meaning "watchful, alert, or vigilant," and popularized by several early saints.

What does the Gregory map show?

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