UK surname
An English surname possibly derived from the Welsh "Gruffydd" meaning "ruddy" or red-haired.
In the 1881 census there were 84 people recorded with the Griffies surname, ranking it #21,690 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 65, ranked #34,017, down from #21,690 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Malpas and Marbury. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Griffies is 194 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.6%.
1881 census count
84
Ranked #21,690
Modern count
65
2016, ranked #34,017
Peak year
1861
194 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Griffies surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Griffies surname density by area, 1891 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 | 71 | #20,875 |
| 1861 | historical | 194 | #12,310 |
| 1881 | historical | 84 | #21,690 |
| 1891 | historical | 131 | #20,073 |
| 1901 | historical | 81 | #25,130 |
| 1911 | historical | 95 | #23,294 |
| 1997 | modern | 57 | #31,917 |
| 1998 | modern | 58 | #32,138 |
| 1999 | modern | 64 | #31,692 |
| 2000 | modern | 64 | #31,735 |
| 2001 | modern | 61 | #31,891 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 57 | #32,704 |
| 2004 | modern | 60 | #32,684 |
| 2005 | modern | 54 | #33,433 |
| 2006 | modern | 54 | #33,780 |
| 2007 | modern | 57 | #33,800 |
| 2008 | modern | 58 | #33,918 |
| 2009 | modern | 61 | #33,915 |
| 2010 | modern | 64 | #33,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 59 | #34,352 |
| 2013 | modern | 62 | #34,260 |
| 2014 | modern | 62 | #34,281 |
| 2015 | modern | 63 | #34,178 |
| 2016 | modern | 65 | #34,017 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, Malpas, Marbury, Weaverham 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 No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 2 | Malpas | Cheshire |
| 3 | Marbury | Cheshire |
| 4 | Weaverham | Cheshire |
| 5 | Birmingham Town: Birmingham | Warwickshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Griffies 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 Griffies, 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 Griffies surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Griffies 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, Griffies 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 Griffies is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Griffies, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname GRIFFIES has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "grīf," which means "Greek" or "foreigner," and was likely initially used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone of Greek descent or who had Greek-like features.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is spelled "Grifin." This entry suggests that the name was already in use during the 11th century and may have been associated with individuals who had connections to Greece or the Byzantine Empire.
In the 13th century, the name appeared in various historical records, including the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire, where it was spelled "Gryffyn." This spelling variation demonstrates the evolution of the name over time and the influence of local dialects on its pronunciation and written form.
During the 14th century, the name GRIFFIES gained prominence, and several notable individuals bore this surname. One such person was John Griffies, a merchant from London, who was mentioned in the city's trade records in 1327. Another was William Griffies, a landowner from Oxfordshire, whose name appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273.
In the 15th century, the GRIFFIES surname was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. One notable individual from this period was Thomas Griffies, a scholar and theologian who studied at the University of Oxford. He was born in 1435 and played a significant role in the intellectual life of the time.
The 16th century saw the rise of several GRIFFIES families, including the Griffies of Westmoreland, who were prominent landowners and played a role in local politics. One member of this family, Robert Griffies, was a member of the Parliament of England in 1585.
Throughout the subsequent centuries, the GRIFFIES surname continued to be found across various regions of England, with individuals bearing this name making contributions in various fields, such as law, academia, and the military. Notable figures include Sir Edward Griffies (1570-1637), a judge and Member of Parliament, and Sir Francis Griffies (1645-1715), a naval officer and diplomat.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Griffies 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. Cheshire leads with 38 Griffies' recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheshire | 38 | 21.01x |
| Lancashire | 26 | 2.67x |
| Yorkshire | 8 | 0.99x |
| Shropshire | 4 | 5.65x |
| Carmarthenshire | 3 | 8.69x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.19x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.62x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.36x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.25x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Larktn Duckngtn Ovrtn in Cheshire leads with 11 Griffies' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7857.14x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Larktn Duckngtn Ovrtn | 11 | 7857.14x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 8 | 37.66x |
| Marburywith Quoisley | 8 | 4210.53x |
| Toxteth Park | 8 | 24.31x |
| Wombwell | 7 | 295.36x |
| Cholmondeley | 6 | 7500.00x |
| Hampton Bickley | 6 | 2857.14x |
| Kirkdale | 5 | 30.58x |
| Weaverham Cum Milton | 4 | 833.33x |
| West Derby | 4 | 14.06x |
| Westbury | 3 | 810.81x |
| Llanfihangel | 2 | 800.00x |
| Portsea | 2 | 6.08x |
| Tranmere | 2 | 30.08x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 1.91x |
| Chester St John Baptist | 1 | 30.77x |
| Handsworth | 1 | 14.66x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 1.69x |
| Llandilo Fawr | 1 | 64.94x |
| Rastrick | 1 | 44.44x |
| Whitchurch Tilstock | 1 | 588.24x |
| Winterbourne | 1 | 112.36x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Griffies surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Griffies 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 Griffies households.
FAQ
In 1881, 84 people were recorded with the Griffies surname. That placed it at #21,690 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 65 in 2016. That gives Griffies a modern rank of #34,017.
An English surname possibly derived from the Welsh "Gruffydd" meaning "ruddy" or red-haired.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Griffies 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.