NameCensus.

UK surname

Griffths

In the 1881 census there were 56 people recorded with the Griffths surname, ranking it #25,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 109, ranked #29,402, down from #25,733 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Lambeth and Merthyr Tydfil. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Powys, Manchester and Isle of Anglesey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Griffths is 382 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 94.6%.

1881 census count

56

Ranked #25,733

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

1861

382 bearers

Map years

5

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Griffths had 56 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,733 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 382 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Griffths surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Griffths surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Griffths 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 129 #14,406
1861 historical 382 #6,698
1881 historical 56 #25,733
1891 historical 365 #9,526
1901 historical 83 #24,900
1911 historical 239 #13,321
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 81 #29,849
1999 modern 65 #31,605
2000 modern 57 #32,417
2001 modern 56 #32,379
2002 modern 67 #31,723
2003 modern 62 #32,258
2004 modern 67 #31,976
2005 modern 76 #31,267
2006 modern 78 #31,385
2007 modern 78 #31,748
2008 modern 83 #31,483
2009 modern 106 #28,666
2010 modern 121 #27,005
2011 modern 107 #28,979
2012 modern 108 #28,849
2013 modern 117 #27,838
2014 modern 111 #29,113
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Griffths' are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Powys, Manchester, Isle of Anglesey, Sandwell and Walsall. 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 Lambeth London (South Districts)
3 Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Swansea Glamorganshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Powys 004 Powys
2 Manchester 032 Manchester
3 Isle of Anglesey 009 Isle of Anglesey
4 Sandwell 005 Sandwell
5 Walsall 017 Walsall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Griffths

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Griffths

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Griffths is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Griffths is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Griffths falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

1881 census detail

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Griffths families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Griffths 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. Warwickshire leads with 10 Griffths' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.26x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 10 7.26x
Carmarthenshire 9 39.11x
Durham 9 5.54x
Pembrokeshire 7 40.35x
Middlesex 6 1.10x
Cardiganshire 5 37.54x
Caernarfonshire 3 13.59x
Lancashire 2 0.31x
Staffordshire 2 1.09x
Worcestershire 2 2.81x
Cheshire 1 0.83x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Escomb in Durham leads with 9 Griffths' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1200.00x.

Place Total Index
Escomb 9 1200.00x
Aston 7 18.46x
Llanfihangel 6 3529.41x
Tenby St Mary In 5 568.18x
Cwmrheidol 4 1904.76x
Dolwyddelan 3 1250.00x
Llangathen 3 1875.00x
Shoreditch London 3 12.67x
Southam 3 909.09x
Newport 2 714.29x
Bayton 1 1250.00x
Bowdon 1 208.33x
Cannock 1 31.06x
Hammersmith London 1 7.43x
Henfynyw 1 526.32x
Kensington London 1 3.29x
Kirkdale 1 9.17x
Sandon 1 1000.00x
West Derby 1 5.27x
Westminster St Margaret 1 38.02x
Worcester All Sts 1 243.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 4
Ann 3
Eliza 3
Agnes 2
Anne 2
Elizabeth 2
Margaret 2
Alice 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Ellen 1
Esther 1
Hannah 1
Jessie 1
Phillis 1
Prisilla 1
Rachel 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
John 4
David 3
Stephen 2
Thomas 2
Arwed 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Henry 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Thos. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Griffths surname: questions and answers

How common was the Griffths surname in 1881?

In 1881, 56 people were recorded with the Griffths surname. That placed it at #25,733 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Griffths surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Griffths a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Griffths map show?

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