NameCensus.

UK surname

Gribble

An English occupational surname referring to a dealer or seller of gravel or rubble.

In the 1881 census there were 1,076 people recorded with the Gribble surname, ranking it #3,684 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 926, ranked #6,170, down from #3,684 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Illogan and Redruth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Pendle and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Gribble is 1,131 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 13.9%.

1881 census count

1,076

Ranked #3,684

Modern count

926

2016, ranked #6,170

Peak year

1901

1,131 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Gribble had 1,076 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,684 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 926 in 2016, ranked #6,170.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,131 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Gribble surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Gribble surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Gribble 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 889 #3,083
1861 historical 837 #3,296
1881 historical 1,076 #3,684
1891 historical 1,083 #3,895
1901 historical 1,131 #4,290
1911 historical 1,079 #4,300
1997 modern 948 #5,727
1998 modern 970 #5,819
1999 modern 972 #5,833
2000 modern 992 #5,723
2001 modern 971 #5,717
2002 modern 970 #5,824
2003 modern 938 #5,890
2004 modern 915 #6,006
2005 modern 904 #6,009
2006 modern 901 #6,035
2007 modern 912 #6,029
2008 modern 920 #6,034
2009 modern 934 #6,069
2010 modern 923 #6,259
2011 modern 930 #6,173
2012 modern 889 #6,300
2013 modern 915 #6,267
2014 modern 927 #6,248
2015 modern 936 #6,147
2016 modern 926 #6,170

Geography

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Where Gribbles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Illogan, Redruth, London parishes and St Philip and Jacob. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Pendle 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 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 Illogan Cornwall
3 Redruth Cornwall
4 London parishes London 3
5 St Philip and Jacob Gloucestershire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 070 Cornwall
2 Pendle 010 Pendle
3 Cornwall 004 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 006 Cornwall
5 Taunton Deane 001 Taunton Deane

Forenames

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First names often paired with Gribble

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Gribble

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Gribble surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Gribble household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Gribble is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Gribble is most concentrated in decile 2 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.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Gribble falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Gribble

The surname Gribble is believed to have originated in England and dates back to the early medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "grib" or "gryb," meaning a small ditch or trench, and "hyll," meaning a hill. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a small ditch or trench on a hill.

The name can be found in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Gribehille." This early spelling reinforces the connection to the Old English words and provides evidence of the name's long-standing presence in England.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is that of Roger Gribill, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1195. Another early bearer of the name was William Gribyll, who was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273.

In the 14th century, the name took on variations such as Gribyll, Grybbyll, and Gribble. During this time, the surname was found in various regions of England, including Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Somerset.

One notable figure with the surname Gribble was Sir Henry Gribble (1545-1609), an English politician and landowner from Somerset. He served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset in the late 16th century.

Another significant bearer of the name was Robert Gribble (1684-1733), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Combe Florey in Somerset. He was known for his writings on religious and philosophical topics.

In the 18th century, the name Gribble gained prominence through the work of Samuel Gribble (1717-1803), an English poet and playwright. He was born in Cornwall and is best known for his satirical plays and poems.

The 19th century saw the emergence of another notable figure, Joseph Gribble (1823-1893), an English-born Australian politician and journalist. He played a significant role in the early political and cultural life of South Australia.

One of the most recent historical figures with the surname Gribble was Leonard Gribble (1873-1952), an English architect and author. He was known for his work in the Arts and Crafts movement and his writings on architectural history and design.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Gribble families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Gribble 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. Devon leads with 280 Gribbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.79x.

County Total Index
Devon 280 12.79x
Cornwall 228 19.15x
Middlesex 140 1.33x
Gloucestershire 102 4.95x
Surrey 53 1.03x
Lancashire 47 0.38x
Sussex 29 1.64x
Glamorgan 28 1.53x
Somerset 20 1.18x
Bedfordshire 18 3.31x
Staffordshire 18 0.51x
Northamptonshire 15 1.52x
Norfolk 12 0.74x
Northumberland 11 0.70x
Yorkshire 10 0.10x
Dorset 7 1.01x
Midlothian 7 0.50x
Kent 6 0.17x
Durham 5 0.16x
Shropshire 5 0.55x
Westmorland 5 2.16x
Derbyshire 4 0.24x
Essex 4 0.19x
Monmouthshire 4 0.53x
Pembrokeshire 4 1.20x
Royal Navy 4 3.19x
Banffshire 3 1.38x
Berkshire 3 0.38x
Renfrewshire 3 0.37x
Hampshire 2 0.09x
Cumberland 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bristol St Philip Jacob in Gloucestershire leads with 56 Gribbles recorded in 1881 and an index of 28.84x.

Place Total Index
Bristol St Philip Jacob 56 28.84x
Illogan 52 164.97x
Crediton 28 135.00x
Redruth 26 77.20x
St Pancras London 25 2.95x
Kenwyn 22 70.67x
Gulval 21 274.15x
Gwennap 20 89.05x
Camborne 18 36.69x
Plymouth Charles The 17 17.63x
Highweek 16 205.13x
Stoke Damerel 16 10.44x
East Grinstead 15 59.76x
Northampton St Sepulchre 15 29.81x
Bedford St Paul 14 37.48x
Manchester 14 2.49x
Battersea 12 3.10x
Bovey Tracey 12 156.66x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 12 24.72x
St Marylebone London 12 2.14x
Tottenham 12 7.17x
Cullompton 11 115.06x
Dartington 11 482.46x
Madron Penzance 11 25.41x
Stoke Climsland 11 144.74x
Wednesbury 11 12.40x
Axminster 10 97.47x
Hammersmith London 10 3.86x
Wolborough 10 36.14x
Kenton 9 130.43x
Plymouth St Andrew 9 5.34x
Tormoham 9 9.72x
Wimbledon 9 15.64x
Barnstaple 8 23.28x
Bristol St George 8 8.39x
Camberwell 8 1.19x
Croydon 8 2.81x
Skipton 8 24.40x
Barrow In Furness 7 4.12x
Broad Clist 7 92.72x
Fulham London 7 4.59x
Great Little Marsden 7 12.25x
Perranarworthal 7 175.88x
Sedgley 7 5.31x
Slimbridge 7 228.01x
Stratton 7 108.36x
Upper Holker 7 238.10x
Brighton 6 1.68x
Bristol St James In 6 19.78x
Bristol St Paul In 6 10.92x
Clifton 6 5.75x
Cowpen 6 16.65x
Hampstead London 6 3.66x
Kensington London 6 1.03x
Leckwith 6 139.21x
Loddiswell 6 207.61x
Minehead 6 93.90x
Paddington London 6 1.55x
Stoke 6 67.72x
West Parley 6 495.87x
Ashburton 5 47.80x
Beetham 5 140.45x
Combmartin 5 105.26x
East Stonehouse 5 11.60x
Hackney London 5 0.85x
Kingston On Thames 5 4.06x
Llantwit Major 5 140.06x
Newton St Cyres 5 162.87x
Pilton 5 69.25x
Shrewsbury St Mary 5 13.95x
St Botolph Aldersgate 5 41.46x
St George Hanover Square 5 2.70x
St Teath 5 69.74x
Teddington London 5 20.98x
Thorverton 5 150.15x
Bristol St Peter 4 54.20x
Down St Mary 4 341.88x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 4 27.59x
North Leith 4 6.14x
Ramsgate 4 6.83x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 77
William 67
Thomas 33
George 32
James 29
Henry 24
Joseph 17
Samuel 13
Charles 11
Richard 10
Alfred 9
Albert 8
Edward 8
Robert 8
Benjamin 6
Ernest 6
Frederick 6
Walter 6
Edwin 5
Nicholas 5
Arthur 4
Francis 4
Harry 4
Frank 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Sydney 3
Thos. 3
Abraham 2
Frances 2
Herman 2
Wilfred 2
Amos 1
C.R. 1
Chas 1
Chas.E. 1
Clarence 1
Edw. 1
Eustace 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredk.W. 1
Herroom 1
Horace 1
Hubert 1
Hugh 1
Janes 1
Jas. 1
Jasper 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Gribble surname: questions and answers

How common was the Gribble surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,076 people were recorded with the Gribble surname. That placed it at #3,684 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Gribble surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 926 in 2016. That gives Gribble a modern rank of #6,170.

What does the Gribble surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a dealer or seller of gravel or rubble.

What does the Gribble map show?

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