NameCensus.

UK surname

Grillo

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone who kept or sold crickets, or a nickname for a cheerful person.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tonbridge and Malling, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grillo is 196 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

193

2016, ranked #20,039

Peak year

2015

196 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016, ranked #20,039.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Grillo surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grillo surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grillo 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
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 9 #33,154
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 125 #23,567
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 144 #22,405
2000 modern 153 #21,520
2001 modern 144 #22,040
2002 modern 147 #22,197
2003 modern 151 #21,574
2004 modern 165 #20,530
2005 modern 153 #21,490
2006 modern 155 #21,477
2007 modern 157 #21,546
2008 modern 151 #22,323
2009 modern 174 #20,782
2010 modern 193 #19,880
2011 modern 183 #20,425
2012 modern 188 #20,018
2013 modern 195 #19,857
2014 modern 194 #20,097
2015 modern 196 #19,840
2016 modern 193 #20,039

Geography

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Where Grillos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tonbridge and Malling, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets and Dudley. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tonbridge and Malling 014 Tonbridge and Malling
2 Lewisham 015 Lewisham
3 Tower Hamlets 013 Tower Hamlets
4 Tower Hamlets 019 Tower Hamlets
5 Dudley 004 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grillo

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grillo

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Grillo surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Grillo 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Grillo 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

Grillo is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grillo 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 Grillo is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Grillo, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Grillo

The surname Grillo originated in Italy, likely emerging during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Italian word "grillo," meaning "cricket." This suggests that the name may have initially been a nickname given to someone who exhibited characteristics reminiscent of a cricket, such as being small, lively, or vocal.

The earliest known record of the name Grillo dates back to the 13th century in the region of Liguria, in northwestern Italy. Historical documents from that period mention individuals with this surname residing in the coastal city of Genoa.

In the 14th century, the Grillo family gained prominence in Genoa, with members holding influential positions in the city's government and mercantile sector. One notable figure was Antonio Grillo (1350-1418), a wealthy merchant and banker who served as a financial advisor to the Genoese Republic.

As the Grillo family expanded, branches of the lineage established themselves in other parts of Italy, such as Sicily and Naples. In the 16th century, records indicate the presence of Grillos in the town of Castelvetrano, located in the province of Trapani, Sicily.

Over the centuries, the surname Grillo has been associated with various notable individuals, including the Italian philosopher and writer Giovanni Battista Grillo (1618-1679), who was born in Naples and is known for his philosophical treatises.

Another prominent figure was the Italian painter and architect Domenico Grillo (1675-1738), who hailed from Genoa and contributed significantly to the Baroque architectural style prevalent in the city during the 17th and 18th centuries.

In more recent history, the name Grillo has been carried by individuals such as the Italian comedian and political activist Beppe Grillo (born in 1948), who founded the Five Star Movement, a popular political party in Italy.

It is worth noting that variations of the surname Grillo exist, such as Grilli and Grillos, which can be found in various regions of Italy and among Italian diaspora communities around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Grillo surname: questions and answers

How common is the Grillo surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 193 in 2016. That gives Grillo a modern rank of #20,039.

What does the Grillo surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to someone who kept or sold crickets, or a nickname for a cheerful person.

What does the Grillo map show?

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