UK surname
English surname derived from a place name meaning "dweller by the greensward or grassy meadow".
In the 1881 census there were 113 people recorded with the Gresley surname, ranking it #18,412 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 40, ranked #35,434, down from #18,412 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha, Chellaston and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gresley is 113 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 64.6%.
1881 census count
113
Ranked #18,412
Modern count
40
2016, ranked #35,434
Peak year
1881
113 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Gresley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Gresley surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 61 | #22,412 |
| 1861 | historical | 98 | #21,388 |
| 1881 | historical | 113 | #18,412 |
| 1891 | historical | 110 | #22,557 |
| 1901 | historical | 97 | #23,227 |
| 1911 | historical | 102 | #22,465 |
| 1997 | modern | 58 | #31,831 |
| 1998 | modern | 61 | #31,841 |
| 1999 | modern | 56 | #32,461 |
| 2000 | modern | 51 | #32,999 |
| 2001 | modern | 51 | #32,850 |
| 2002 | modern | 50 | #33,282 |
| 2003 | modern | 47 | #33,619 |
| 2004 | modern | 48 | #33,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 45 | #34,491 |
| 2007 | modern | 44 | #34,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 43 | #34,931 |
| 2009 | modern | 45 | #34,972 |
| 2010 | modern | 50 | #34,833 |
| 2011 | modern | 49 | #34,868 |
| 2012 | modern | 42 | #35,269 |
| 2013 | modern | 42 | #35,325 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 42 | #35,322 |
| 2016 | modern | 40 | #35,434 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha, Chellaston, London parishes, Lichfield Close and Ashton-upon-Mersey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lichfield Friary, Fulfen, Farewell with Charley, Lichfield St Chad (Curborough), Lichfield St Micha | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Chellaston | Derbyshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Lichfield Close | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Ashton-upon-Mersey | Cheshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Gresley surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Gresley, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Gresley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Gresley household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Gresley is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Gresley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Gresley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Gresley is of English origin, deriving from the village of Gresley in Derbyshire, England. The name is believed to have originated in the 12th or 13th century, with the earliest recorded spelling being 'de Gresele' or 'de Greseleg'. These early spellings suggest that the name may have been derived from the Old English words 'graes' meaning 'grass' and 'leah' meaning 'woodland clearing'.
The Gresley family was well-established in Derbyshire by the 13th century, with Sir Geoffrey Gresley (c. 1265-1316) being one of the most notable early members of the family. He served as a knight and was appointed High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1293. Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Gresley (1427-1492), who was knighted by King Henry VI and served as a Member of Parliament for Derbyshire.
The surname Gresley appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This early record suggests that the name had already become well-established by the 11th century.
In the 16th century, Sir John Gresley (c. 1490-1564) was a prominent member of the family. He served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Gresley (1572-1647), who was a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Derbyshire.
During the English Civil War, Sir George Gresley (1596-1676) was a staunch Royalist and actively supported King Charles I. He was later appointed as the Governor of Lichfield Close in recognition of his loyalty to the Crown.
Other notable individuals with the surname Gresley include Sir Nigel Gresley (1876-1941), a renowned British railway engineer who designed several famous steam locomotives, and Sir Paul Gresley (1910-1984), a British diplomat who served as the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and later as the Governor of Bermuda.
The surname Gresley has a rich history rooted in the English county of Derbyshire. Its origins can be traced back to the 12th or 13th century, and it has been associated with numerous prominent figures throughout English history, particularly in the fields of politics, military service, and engineering.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gresley surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Leicestershire leads with 29 Gresleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.52x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire | 29 | 23.52x |
| Derbyshire | 14 | 8.04x |
| Staffordshire | 12 | 3.20x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 0.99x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 3.67x |
| Glamorgan | 9 | 4.65x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.53x |
| Denbighshire | 3 | 7.14x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 1.07x |
| Wiltshire | 3 | 3.05x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 0.92x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.18x |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | 1.49x |
| Caernarfonshire | 1 | 2.22x |
| Channel Islands | 1 | 3.03x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.46x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.44x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.60x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.67x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.56x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.18x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.69x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sale in Cheshire leads with 8 Gresleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 265.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Sale | 8 | 265.78x |
| Swansea Lower | 8 | 808.08x |
| St Marylebone London | 7 | 11.79x |
| Appleby | 6 | 2068.97x |
| Barrow Upon Soar | 6 | 588.24x |
| Breedon | 6 | 2222.22x |
| Lichfield Close | 6 | 6666.67x |
| Ockbrook | 6 | 810.81x |
| Nether Seal | 5 | 2272.73x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 4 | 38.17x |
| Wilne | 4 | 1000.00x |
| Leamington | 3 | 161.29x |
| Llanrwst Capel Garmon | 3 | 882.35x |
| Barton Under Needwood | 2 | 294.12x |
| Bow London | 2 | 14.13x |
| Chaddesden | 2 | 869.57x |
| Halifax | 2 | 12.36x |
| Hulme | 2 | 7.26x |
| Pilsley In Chesterfield | 2 | 952.38x |
| Rocester | 2 | 425.53x |
| Rothley | 2 | 500.00x |
| Seals | 2 | 465.12x |
| Trowbridge | 2 | 45.98x |
| Uttoxeter | 2 | 104.17x |
| Cardiff St Mary | 1 | 9.38x |
| Clifton | 1 | 9.07x |
| Dursley | 1 | 111.11x |
| Glastonbury | 1 | 68.49x |
| Godalming | 1 | 29.33x |
| Harwick St Nicholas | 1 | 285.71x |
| Llandegai | 1 | 72.46x |
| Lower Withington | 1 | 1666.67x |
| Newport Pagnell | 1 | 70.92x |
| Ringwood | 1 | 68.49x |
| Salwarpe | 1 | 625.00x |
| Skeffington | 1 | 1666.67x |
| St Lawrence | 1 | 111.11x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.12x |
| Stapleford | 1 | 81.97x |
| West Derby | 1 | 2.59x |
| West Tisbury | 1 | 333.33x |
| Whitwick | 1 | 63.69x |
| Willesden | 1 | 9.54x |
| Woodhorn Hirst | 1 | 1111.11x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Gresley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 7 |
| Agnes | 2 |
| Ann | 2 |
| Augusta | 2 |
| Ellen | 2 |
| Frances | 2 |
| Georgina | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Margaret | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Rosalind | 2 |
| Selina | 2 |
| Alice | 1 |
| Alicia | 1 |
| Annis | 1 |
| Beatrice | 1 |
| Bessy | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Eleanor | 1 |
| Elisa | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Elizth. | 1 |
| Emily | 1 |
| Ethel | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Harriet | 1 |
| Isabel | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Kezia | 1 |
| Laura | 1 |
| Marianne | 1 |
| Rebecca | 1 |
| Rosamond | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Ruth | 1 |
| Tamar | 1 |
| Wilhelmena | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Gresley surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Gresley households.
FAQ
In 1881, 113 people were recorded with the Gresley surname. That placed it at #18,412 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 40 in 2016. That gives Gresley a modern rank of #35,434.
English surname derived from a place name meaning "dweller by the greensward or grassy meadow".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Gresley bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.