UK surname
A nickname for an angry or bad-tempered person, or an occupational name for someone who sold grills or grates.
In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Grill surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 37, ranked #35,582, down from #31,301 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hartshorn, Mirfield and Plumstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grill is 123 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 131.3%.
1881 census count
16
Ranked #31,301
Modern count
37
2016, ranked #35,582
Peak year
1861
123 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Grill surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Grill surname density by area, 1861 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 | 14 | #30,790 |
| 1861 | historical | 123 | #17,914 |
| 1881 | historical | 16 | #31,301 |
| 1891 | historical | 95 | #24,694 |
| 1901 | historical | 61 | #27,379 |
| 1911 | historical | 91 | #23,684 |
| 1997 | modern | 29 | #34,795 |
| 1998 | modern | 25 | #35,365 |
| 1999 | modern | 23 | #35,612 |
| 2000 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2001 | modern | 20 | #35,754 |
| 2002 | modern | 22 | #35,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 20 | #35,915 |
| 2004 | modern | 19 | #36,147 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 21 | #36,290 |
| 2008 | modern | 19 | #36,534 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 22 | #36,430 |
| 2012 | modern | 32 | #35,820 |
| 2013 | modern | 31 | #35,927 |
| 2014 | modern | 36 | #35,662 |
| 2015 | modern | 37 | #35,593 |
| 2016 | modern | 37 | #35,582 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hartshorn, Mirfield, Plumstead, Toxteth Park and Childwall. 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 | Hartshorn | Leicestershire |
| 2 | Mirfield | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Plumstead | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 5 | Childwall | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Grill 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 Grill, 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 Grill surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Grill 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, Grill 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 Grill is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Grill, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Grill is of German origin, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Middle High German word "gril," meaning "cricket" or "grasshopper." The name likely originated as a nickname for someone with a lively or energetic personality, reminiscent of a cricket's behavior.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Grill appears in the Codex Diplomaticus Brandenburgensis, a collection of historical documents from the Brandenburg region of Germany, dated around 1375. This document mentions a certain "Hermannus dictus Gril," indicating that the name was in use during that time period.
During the 15th century, the surname Grill started to appear in various historical records and documents across different regions of Germany. For example, in 1487, a man named Hans Grill was recorded as a resident of the town of Nuremberg, which was a prominent center of trade and commerce at the time.
As the name spread across Europe, it underwent minor spelling variations, such as Grell, Grell, and Gril. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and local pronunciation differences.
In the 16th century, the surname Grill gained further recognition with the birth of Johann Valentin Grill (1532-1591), a notable German jurist and legal scholar who served as a professor at the University of Tübingen.
Another prominent figure bearing the surname Grill was Johann Philipp Grill (1768-1829), a German composer and musician who was particularly known for his contributions to church music and sacred works.
Moving into the 19th century, the name Grill continued to be found in various German-speaking regions. One notable individual was Johann Anton Grill (1842-1909), a German Catholic priest and philosopher who wrote extensively on topics related to epistemology and metaphysics.
In the realm of literature, the surname Grill is associated with Philipp Lorenz Grill (1801-1879), a German writer and poet who gained recognition for his lyrical works and contributions to the German Romantic movement.
While the surname Grill has its roots in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration patterns. However, its origins and historical significance can be traced back to its German heritage and the various prominent individuals who have carried this name throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grill 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. Leicestershire leads with 4 Grills recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leicestershire | 4 | 23.12x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 2.56x |
| Devon | 3 | 9.24x |
| Kent | 2 | 3.76x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 2.90x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 6.82x |
| Surrey | 1 | 1.32x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hammersmith London in Middlesex leads with 4 Grills recorded in 1881 and an index of 104.17x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hammersmith London | 4 | 104.17x |
| Sibson | 4 | 20000.00x |
| East Stonehouse | 2 | 312.50x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 2 | 250.00x |
| Dallington | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Dartington | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Nantwich | 1 | 250.00x |
| Penge | 1 | 100.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Grill 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 Grill 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 Grill households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Assistant (Ag) | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Chimney Sweep | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Boy | 1 |
| Florist | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
| Tanner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Grill surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 37 in 2016. That gives Grill a modern rank of #35,582.
A nickname for an angry or bad-tempered person, or an occupational name for someone who sold grills or grates.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Grill 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.