NameCensus.

UK surname

Grima

A surname possibly derived from the Italian "grimo" meaning grimace or scowl.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Northamptonshire, Cardiff and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grima is 294 in 2012. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

285

2016, ranked #15,286

Peak year

2012

294 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 285 in 2016, ranked #15,286.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Grima surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grima surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grima 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 3 #33,789
1997 modern 245 #15,483
1998 modern 247 #15,813
1999 modern 250 #15,802
2000 modern 259 #15,390
2001 modern 250 #15,527
2002 modern 258 #15,485
2003 modern 245 #15,822
2004 modern 241 #16,086
2005 modern 245 #15,857
2006 modern 235 #16,439
2007 modern 255 #15,687
2008 modern 256 #15,817
2009 modern 267 #15,661
2010 modern 269 #15,935
2011 modern 276 #15,471
2012 modern 294 #14,705
2013 modern 285 #15,313
2014 modern 286 #15,378
2015 modern 285 #15,307
2016 modern 285 #15,286

Geography

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Where Grimas 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 South Northamptonshire, Cardiff, Allerdale, Flintshire and Bromley. 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 South Northamptonshire 010 South Northamptonshire
2 Cardiff 020 Cardiff
3 Allerdale 009 Allerdale
4 Flintshire 001 Flintshire
5 Bromley 008 Bromley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grima

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grima

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Grima, 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 Grima surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Grima 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, Grima 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

Grima 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

Grima falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Grima

The surname GRIMA has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the regions of Spain and Portugal. It is derived from the Latin name "Grimaldus," which is a combination of the Germanic elements "grim" meaning "mask" or "helmet" and "waldan" meaning "to rule." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a leader or warrior who wore a distinctive mask or helmet.

The earliest known record of the name GRIMA appears in the 11th century, in the Codex Calixtinus, a medieval manuscript from the Santiago de Compostela region of Spain. This document mentions a nobleman named Grimaldu who was part of the court of King Alfonso VI of León and Castile.

During the Middle Ages, the name GRIMA was particularly prevalent in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia, which were under the influence of the Kingdom of Aragon. Several notable figures bearing this surname emerged during this period, including Ramon Grima, a 13th-century Catalan architect who contributed to the construction of the famous Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona.

In the 14th century, the name GRIMA is found in Portuguese records, where it appears as "Gryma" or "Grymão." This variation is thought to have originated from the town of Grijó, located near Porto. One prominent individual from this era was João Gryma, a wealthy merchant and landowner who played a role in the Portuguese Reconquista against the Moors.

As the Spanish and Portuguese empires expanded, the surname GRIMA spread to other parts of the world, particularly to the Americas. In the 16th century, a Spanish explorer named Diego de Grima is believed to have been among the first Europeans to set foot in what is now Florida.

Other notable individuals with the surname GRIMA include:

1. Miguel Grima (1765-1826), a Spanish painter and engraver known for his religious works. 2. Antonio Grima (1788-1854), a Maltese architect and civil engineer who designed several landmark buildings in Valletta. 3. José Grima Pujol (1834-1902), a Spanish politician and lawyer who served as the Mayor of Valencia. 4. Bartolomé Grima (1868-1935), a Chilean lawyer and diplomat who served as the ambassador to Spain. 5. Miguel Grima Aguiló (1901-1981), a Catalan painter and sculptor renowned for his abstract works.

While the surname GRIMA has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula, it has since spread across the globe, carried by individuals of Spanish and Portuguese descent. The name remains a reflection of the rich cultural heritage and history of these regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grima families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grima 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. Royal Navy leads with 1 Grimas recorded in 1881 and an index of 909.09x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 1 909.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 1 Grimas recorded in 1881 and an index of 1000.00x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 1 1000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Emanule 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 Grima households.

Occupation Count
Bandn 1

FAQ

Grima surname: questions and answers

How common is the Grima surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 285 in 2016. That gives Grima a modern rank of #15,286.

What does the Grima surname mean?

A surname possibly derived from the Italian "grimo" meaning grimace or scowl.

What does the Grima map show?

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