NameCensus.

UK surname

Griffiths

Welsh surname derived from the given name Gruffydd, meaning "lord" or "prince" in Welsh.

In the 1881 census there were 48,955 people recorded with the Griffiths surname, ranking it #60 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 71,828, also still ranked #60.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Wrexham and Powys.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Griffiths is 74,625 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.7%.

1881 census count

48,955

Ranked #60

Modern count

71,828

2016, ranked #60

Peak year

1999

74,625 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Griffiths had 48,955 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #60 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 71,828 in 2016, ranked #60.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 67,847 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Griffiths surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Griffiths surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Griffiths 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 29,990 #64
1861 historical 31,354 #62
1881 historical 48,955 #60
1891 historical 51,936 #59
1901 historical 61,456 #58
1911 historical 67,847 #47
1997 modern 70,825 #56
1998 modern 73,898 #56
1999 modern 74,625 #56
2000 modern 74,338 #56
2001 modern 72,488 #56
2002 modern 73,676 #56
2003 modern 72,165 #56
2004 modern 72,072 #56
2005 modern 70,844 #57
2006 modern 70,873 #56
2007 modern 71,329 #56
2008 modern 71,916 #56
2009 modern 73,465 #57
2010 modern 74,545 #57
2011 modern 73,345 #57
2012 modern 71,649 #57
2013 modern 72,943 #58
2014 modern 73,301 #57
2015 modern 72,468 #58
2016 modern 71,828 #60

Geography

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Where Griffiths' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), London parishes, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Bedwelty. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Wrexham, Powys and Carmarthenshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
4 Aberdare Glamorganshire
5 Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
2 Wrexham 005 Wrexham
3 Powys 021 Powys
4 Carmarthenshire 027 Carmarthenshire
5 Wrexham 006 Wrexham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Griffiths

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Griffiths

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Griffiths is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Griffiths is most concentrated in decile 3 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Griffiths 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 Griffiths 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 Griffiths, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Griffiths

The surname Griffiths is of Welsh origin, deriving from the personal name Gruffydd, a Welsh form of the name Griffith. This name is derived from the Welsh words "gryw" meaning "vigorous" and "fychan" meaning "young man." The surname is found primarily in Wales, especially in the counties of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, and Carmarthenshire.

The name Gruffydd was borne by several Welsh rulers and princes, including Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, the King of Gwynedd and effective ruler of Wales from 1057 until his death in 1063. He was a prominent figure in the conflicts between the Welsh and the Norman invaders.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Griffiths dates back to 1292, when a John Griffith was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire. Other early records include a Walter Griffith listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1348 and a Robert Griffith mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327.

The surname Griffiths has been subject to various spellings throughout history, including Griffith, Griffyth, Griffis, and Griffis. Many of these variations can be attributed to the translation of the Welsh name into English and regional pronunciation differences.

Notable individuals with the surname Griffiths include Sir Rhys ap Griffith (c. 1508-1580), a Welsh soldier and landholder who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1572. Another prominent figure was John Griffiths (1806-1885), a Welsh Congregationalist minister and writer who was instrumental in the establishment of the University of Wales.

Other notable Griffiths include:

1. Ralph Griffiths (1720-1803), an English publisher and founder of the Monthly Review. 2. Martha Wright Griffiths (1912-2003), an American lawyer and politician who championed the Equal Rights Amendment. 3. Andy Griffiths (born 1961), an Australian children's author best known for the "Just!" book series. 4. Gareth Griffiths (born 1955), a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. 5. Trevor Griffiths (born 1935), an English playwright and screenwriter known for works such as "Comedians" and "Reds."

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Griffiths families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Griffiths 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. Glamorgan leads with 7,434 Griffiths' recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.93x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 7,434 8.93x
Lancashire 4,574 0.81x
Staffordshire 3,459 2.14x
Pembrokeshire 2,993 19.70x
Carmarthenshire 2,892 14.35x
Shropshire 2,389 5.78x
Middlesex 2,292 0.48x
Denbighshire 1,726 9.56x
Monmouthshire 1,699 4.92x
Caernarfonshire 1,697 8.78x
Flintshire 1,625 12.64x
Cheshire 1,479 1.40x
Worcestershire 1,363 2.18x
Warwickshire 1,344 1.11x
Cardiganshire 1,338 11.47x
Montgomeryshire 1,097 10.01x
Herefordshire 1,048 5.35x
Gloucestershire 1,041 1.11x
Brecknockshire 891 9.32x
Merionethshire 818 9.35x
Surrey 803 0.34x
Yorkshire 777 0.16x
Kent 528 0.32x
Anglesey 524 6.18x
Radnorshire 410 10.63x
Durham 360 0.25x
Somerset 279 0.36x
Hampshire 276 0.28x
Devon 222 0.22x
Essex 208 0.22x
Derbyshire 163 0.22x
Sussex 161 0.20x
Nottinghamshire 109 0.17x
Northamptonshire 92 0.20x
Wiltshire 73 0.17x
Lanarkshire 68 0.04x
Northumberland 67 0.09x
Leicestershire 63 0.12x
Norfolk 61 0.08x
Berkshire 56 0.16x
Cornwall 54 0.10x
Cumberland 50 0.12x
Oxfordshire 44 0.15x
Royal Navy 41 0.72x
Hertfordshire 36 0.11x
Suffolk 35 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 30 0.10x
Midlothian 29 0.05x
Isle of Man 25 0.28x
Cambridgeshire 22 0.07x
Lincolnshire 21 0.03x
Dorset 20 0.06x
Ayrshire 14 0.04x
Kirkcudbrightshire 11 0.16x
Renfrewshire 10 0.03x
Roxburghshire 10 0.12x
Fife 8 0.03x
Bedfordshire 7 0.03x
Channel Islands 7 0.05x
Stirlingshire 7 0.04x
Westmorland 6 0.06x
Argyllshire 5 0.04x
Aberdeenshire 4 0.01x
Angus 4 0.01x
Inverness-shire 2 0.01x
Morayshire 2 0.03x
Berwickshire 1 0.02x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.01x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.01x
Perthshire 1 0.00x
Rutland 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan leads with 763 Griffiths' recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.54x.

Place Total Index
Merthyr Tydfil 763 9.54x
Ystradyfodwg 761 10.42x
Llanelly 711 15.67x
Aberdare 674 11.79x
Birmingham 660 1.64x
Toxteth Park 489 2.55x
Aston 485 1.46x
Swansea Town 478 7.00x
Bedwellty 462 7.57x
Liverpool 434 1.26x
Everton 397 2.20x
Wolverhampton 396 3.19x
Ruabon 376 15.14x
West Derby 322 1.94x
Clase 321 10.37x
Stoke Upon Trent 318 1.86x
Pembroke St Mary 304 15.54x
West Bromwich 264 2.86x
Llanguick 263 17.64x
Llanwonno 257 8.59x
Islington London 239 0.52x
Birkenhead 233 2.77x
Llanllechid 203 14.94x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 200 2.27x
Llantrisant 198 9.44x
Holywell 194 12.02x
Kingswinford 194 3.31x
Mold 194 16.64x
Manchester 193 0.76x
Carmarthen St Peter 191 11.09x
Kirkdale 191 2.00x
Dudley 184 2.42x
Neath 182 10.75x
Lambeth 180 0.43x
Sedgley 172 2.87x
Trevethin 169 5.18x
Gelligaer 165 8.68x
Roath 163 4.31x
Hope 159 24.87x
St Marylebone London 158 0.62x
Bilston 155 4.96x
Lower Ystradgynlais 153 25.94x
Hackney London 152 0.57x
Cardiff St Mary 149 3.25x
Pembrey 147 15.87x
Llandilo Fawr 146 16.25x
Festiniog 145 7.86x
St Pancras London 144 0.37x
Wednesbury 143 3.55x
Cwmdu 142 14.00x
Hawarden 141 13.97x
Harborne 140 2.71x
Kings Norton 140 2.50x
Margam 139 14.97x
Aberystruth 134 4.40x
Kilgerran 131 71.54x
Tranmere 131 3.38x
Swansea Higher 130 14.99x
Tenby St Mary In 130 16.81x
Wellington 127 5.47x
Bangor 126 6.76x
Newcastle Under Lyme 126 4.41x
Walsall Foreign 126 1.51x
St Woollos 125 3.24x
Rowley Regis 123 2.74x
Wrexham Regis 123 9.17x
Rhyndwyclydach 121 20.95x
Wednesfield 121 5.10x
Willenhall 121 4.00x
Michaelstone Super Avon 119 13.20x
Shoreditch London 119 0.57x
Bersham 118 15.32x
Llanddeiniolen 117 10.35x
Tipton 117 2.37x
Kensington London 116 0.44x
Llandwrog 113 16.68x
Brymbo 112 17.81x
Holyhead 112 7.09x
Llantwit Lower 112 15.31x
Llandaff 111 4.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4,024
Elizabeth 2,331
Sarah 1,834
Jane 1,281
Margaret 1,269
Ann 1,257
Eliza 629
Martha 623
Ellen 620
Anne 593
Hannah 593
Catherine 591
Annie 497
Emma 433
Alice 393
Emily 338
Harriet 246
Maria 222
Louisa 219
Rachel 192
Fanny 191
Edith 190
Esther 184
Charlotte 165
Florence 155
Caroline 154
Frances 128
Ada 127
Kate 119
Agnes 115
Eleanor 114
Clara 111
Elizth. 103
Susan 103
Margret 101
Amelia 100
Sophia 96
Rebecca 85
Lucy 81
Margt. 81
Harriett 78
Laura 74
Amy 71
Matilda 70
Susannah 69
Lydia 67
Rose 62
Ruth 62
Lizzie 58
Gertrude 57

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3,768
William 3,150
Thomas 2,460
David 1,392
James 1,086
George 1,012
Edward 773
Henry 630
Richard 596
Joseph 528
Robert 499
Charles 447
Griffith 409
Samuel 374
Evan 341
Alfred 286
Arthur 253
Daniel 229
Benjamin 227
Frederick 190
Walter 174
Wm. 171
Albert 169
Thos. 167
Owen 154
Edwin 146
Isaac 138
Hugh 125
Harry 118
Lewis 105
Rees 100
Herbert 96
Ernest 94
Morgan 92
Frank 81
Francis 80
Peter 64
Morris 48
Stephen 48
Phillip 41
Joshua 40
Philip 40
Jno. 37
Geo. 34
Edwd. 33
Willm. 33
Enoch 31
Fredrick 31
Llewellyn 31
Edmund 30

Top occupations

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 Griffiths households.

FAQ

Griffiths surname: questions and answers

How common was the Griffiths surname in 1881?

In 1881, 48,955 people were recorded with the Griffiths surname. That placed it at #60 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Griffiths surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 71,828 in 2016. That gives Griffiths a modern rank of #60.

What does the Griffiths surname mean?

Welsh surname derived from the given name Gruffydd, meaning "lord" or "prince" in Welsh.

What does the Griffiths map show?

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