NameCensus.

UK surname

Grigor

A surname derived from the Greek name "Gregorios", meaning "watchful" or "vigilant".

In the 1881 census there were 347 people recorded with the Grigor surname, ranking it #8,811 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 485, ranked #10,205, down from #8,811 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Dallas, Elgin and Speymouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Black Isle South, Forres South West and Mannachie and Black Isle North.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grigor is 485 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.8%.

1881 census count

347

Ranked #8,811

Modern count

485

2016, ranked #10,205

Peak year

2016

485 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grigor had 347 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,811 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 485 in 2016, ranked #10,205.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 412 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Grigor surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grigor surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grigor 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 322 #7,215
1861 historical 412 #6,237
1881 historical 347 #8,811
1891 historical 408 #8,733
1901 historical 332 #10,863
1911 historical 56 #27,216
1997 modern 389 #11,238
1998 modern 402 #11,295
1999 modern 409 #11,264
2000 modern 414 #11,127
2001 modern 402 #11,183
2002 modern 422 #11,002
2003 modern 407 #11,136
2004 modern 400 #11,281
2005 modern 406 #11,061
2006 modern 405 #11,131
2007 modern 411 #11,144
2008 modern 428 #10,869
2009 modern 447 #10,742
2010 modern 466 #10,595
2011 modern 454 #10,707
2012 modern 441 #10,828
2013 modern 456 #10,722
2014 modern 475 #10,472
2015 modern 480 #10,311
2016 modern 485 #10,205

Geography

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Where Grigors are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Dallas, Elgin, Speymouth, Edinburgh and St. Andrews Lhanbryd. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Black Isle South, Forres South West and Mannachie, Black Isle North, Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava and Findhorn, Kinloss and Pluscarden Valley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Dallas Elgin
2 Elgin Elgin
3 Speymouth Elgin
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 St. Andrews Lhanbryd Elgin

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Black Isle South Highland
2 Forres South West and Mannachie Moray
3 Black Isle North Highland
4 Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava Moray
5 Findhorn, Kinloss and Pluscarden Valley Moray

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grigor

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grigor

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

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Grigor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Grigor household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Grigor is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grigor is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grigor falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Grigor

The surname GRIGOR is of Armenian origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period in the Armenian Highlands. The name is derived from the Armenian masculine given name Grigor, which is the Armenian form of the Greek name Gregorios, meaning "watchful" or "vigilant."

GRIGOR is believed to have originated as a patronymic surname, indicating that the bearer was the son or descendant of someone named Grigor. Patronymic surnames were common in Armenian naming traditions, reflecting the importance of familial ties and lineage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname GRIGOR can be found in the Armenian Apostolic Church records from the 13th century, where a cleric named Ter Grigor is mentioned. This suggests that the surname was already established and in use during this period.

In the 14th century, a prominent Armenian scholar and translator named Grigor Tatevatsi (1346-1409) gained recognition for his works on theology, philosophy, and grammar. His contributions to Armenian literature and scholarship likely helped to further establish the surname GRIGOR among Armenian communities.

During the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname GRIGOR was Grigor Pahlavuni (1548-1591), an Armenian printer and publisher who contributed significantly to the development of Armenian printing and book production. His work helped to preserve and disseminate Armenian literary works and historical documents.

In the 18th century, Grigor Aghaton (1712-1791), an Armenian merchant and philanthropist, made a name for himself as a prominent figure in the Armenian community of Madras (now Chennai), India. He was instrumental in establishing Armenian churches and educational institutions in the region.

Another notable bearer of the surname GRIGOR was Grigor Artsruni (1845-1892), an Armenian writer, poet, and translator. He played a vital role in the Armenian literary renaissance of the 19th century and contributed significantly to the development of modern Armenian literature.

Throughout its history, the surname GRIGOR has been associated with various place names and locations in the Armenian Highlands, such as the regions of Artsakh, Syunik, and Vaspurakan, where Armenian communities have traditionally resided.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grigor families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grigor 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. Morayshire leads with 169 Grigors recorded in 1881 and an index of 320.38x.

County Total Index
Morayshire 169 320.38x
Ross-shire 54 57.93x
Aberdeenshire 25 7.95x
Lanarkshire 24 2.19x
Banffshire 12 17.04x
Somerset 10 1.83x
Middlesex 9 0.27x
Nairnshire 9 86.87x
Midlothian 8 1.76x
Durham 6 0.59x
Angus 5 1.59x
Cornwall 5 1.30x
Northumberland 4 0.79x
Surrey 2 0.12x
Dunbartonshire 1 1.10x
Kincardineshire 1 2.42x
Perthshire 1 0.66x
Renfrewshire 1 0.38x
Roxburghshire 1 1.63x
Suffolk 1 0.24x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Avoch in Ross-shire leads with 29 Grigors recorded in 1881 and an index of 1472.08x.

Place Total Index
Avoch 29 1472.08x
Elgin 28 272.90x
Dallas 23 2149.53x
St Andrews Lhanbryd 22 1349.69x
Duffus 18 387.10x
Rosemarkie 17 1666.67x
Govan 16 5.89x
New Spynie 16 842.11x
Urquhart 12 481.93x
Speymouth 11 1447.37x
Taunton St James 10 125.47x
Aberdeen Old Machar 8 12.19x
Bellie 8 336.13x
Barony 7 2.52x
Dyke 7 486.11x
Drainie 6 128.48x
Monymusk 6 444.44x
Stranton 6 17.65x
Cawdor 5 396.83x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 5 2.73x
Edinkillie 5 364.96x
Kinloss 5 400.00x
St Enoder 5 381.68x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 4 6.80x
Ardclach 4 307.69x
Cromarty 4 160.64x
Fraserburgh 4 45.20x
Rathven 4 30.23x
St Marylebone London 4 2.21x
Alves 3 229.01x
Clerkenwell London 3 3.74x
Dingwall 3 114.50x
Forres 3 54.15x
Inveravon 3 100.00x
Montrose 3 15.74x
Dundee 2 1.70x
Kennethmont 2 170.94x
Prudhoe 2 56.98x
Tweedmouth 2 31.75x
Aberlour 1 44.84x
Banchory Ternan 1 28.01x
Birnie 1 232.56x
Chapel Of Garioch 1 44.64x
Clapham 1 2.36x
Cromdale 1 23.58x
Deskford 1 99.01x
Drinkstone 1 185.19x
East Kilbride 1 21.28x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 1 9.29x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 10.59x
Edinburgh St Stephens 1 11.17x
Fordyce 1 19.72x
Hawick 1 7.27x
Keith 1 13.32x
Kensington London 1 0.53x
Kincardine 1 58.14x
Lambeth 1 0.34x
Mortlach 1 29.07x
Old Kilpatrick 1 9.28x
Perth East Church 1 6.96x
Port Glasgow 1 7.86x
Shoreditch London 1 0.68x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 3
Helen 3
Christine 1
Eliza 1
Elizh. 1
Ellen 1
Elspet 1
Emily 1
Grace 1
Jane 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Margaret 1
Maria 1
Mary 1
Ogilver 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 4
Charles 2
Francis 2
John 2
Richard 2
William 2
Edward 1
Geo. 1
Henry 1

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 Grigor households.

FAQ

Grigor surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grigor surname in 1881?

In 1881, 347 people were recorded with the Grigor surname. That placed it at #8,811 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grigor surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 485 in 2016. That gives Grigor a modern rank of #10,205.

What does the Grigor surname mean?

A surname derived from the Greek name "Gregorios", meaning "watchful" or "vigilant".

What does the Grigor map show?

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