NameCensus.

UK surname

Grimaldi

An Italian surname likely derived from a Germanic personal name meaning "gray battle-mighty."

In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Grimaldi surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 163, ranked #22,407, up from #23,220 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Paddington and St James Clerkenwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Isle of Wight, Bournemouth and Kensington and Chelsea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grimaldi is 173 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 123.3%.

1881 census count

73

Ranked #23,220

Modern count

163

2016, ranked #22,407

Peak year

2014

173 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grimaldi had 73 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,220 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016, ranked #22,407.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 120 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Grimaldi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grimaldi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grimaldi 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 43 #25,518
1861 historical 14 #32,072
1881 historical 73 #23,220
1891 historical 81 #26,632
1901 historical 114 #21,166
1911 historical 120 #20,447
1997 modern 119 #24,302
1998 modern 141 #22,517
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 136 #23,155
2001 modern 136 #22,855
2002 modern 138 #23,094
2003 modern 131 #23,553
2004 modern 129 #24,019
2005 modern 142 #22,577
2006 modern 142 #22,724
2007 modern 143 #22,924
2008 modern 141 #23,383
2009 modern 149 #23,031
2010 modern 154 #23,082
2011 modern 152 #23,101
2012 modern 159 #22,361
2013 modern 167 #21,984
2014 modern 173 #21,639
2015 modern 168 #21,971
2016 modern 163 #22,407

Geography

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Where Grimaldis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Paddington, St James Clerkenwell, Llangynwyd, Glyn-Corrwg and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Isle of Wight, Bournemouth and Kensington and Chelsea. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Paddington London (West Districts)
3 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
4 Llangynwyd, Glyn-Corrwg Glamorganshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Isle of Wight 010 Isle of Wight
2 Isle of Wight 016 Isle of Wight
3 Bournemouth 004 Bournemouth
4 Isle of Wight 018 Isle of Wight
5 Kensington and Chelsea 007 Kensington and Chelsea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grimaldi

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grimaldi

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

Grimaldi 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

Grimaldi falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Grimaldi

The surname Grimaldi is of Italian origin, tracing its roots back to the early medieval period in the region of Liguria, northwestern Italy. It is derived from the Germanic personal name "Grimoald," which means "grim mask" or "grim battle." This name was quite popular among the Lombards, a Germanic people who ruled large parts of Italy during the 6th to 8th centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Grimaldi can be found in the 11th century, when a noble family of that name rose to prominence in the Republic of Genoa. The Grimaldis were a powerful dynasty that ruled the principality of Monaco from the late 13th century until the mid-20th century. The first Lord of Monaco from the Grimaldi family was Francesco Grimaldi, who captured the fortress of Monaco in 1297 through a daring military stratagem.

In the 14th century, the name Grimaldi appeared in historical records related to the Republic of Genoa. For instance, Giovanni Grimaldi was a prominent Genoese admiral who fought against the Venetians in the War of Chioggia (1378-1381). Another notable figure from this period was Antonio Grimaldi, a diplomat and statesman who served as the Doge of Genoa from 1435 to 1437.

During the Renaissance, the Grimaldi family continued to play a significant role in Italian politics and culture. One of the most famous members was Girolamo Grimaldi (1597-1685), an Italian architect and painter known for his work on the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome.

In the 19th century, a branch of the Grimaldi family settled in the Kingdom of Naples, where they became prominent landowners and aristocrats. One of the most notable figures from this period was Gennaro Grimaldi (1805-1874), a Neapolitan politician and author who served as the Minister of Public Works in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Beyond Italy, the surname Grimaldi has also been found in other parts of Europe, including France, where it is sometimes spelled "Grimaud." A notable French bearer of this name was Henri Grimaud (1675-1756), a Jesuit mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grimaldi families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grimaldi 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. Middlesex leads with 47 Grimaldis recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.51x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 47 6.51x
Cornwall 7 8.57x
Devon 7 4.66x
Kent 5 2.03x
Monmouthshire 5 9.59x
Gloucestershire 1 0.71x
Royal Navy 1 11.63x
Surrey 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 19 Grimaldis recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.17x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 19 27.17x
Clerkenwell London 7 41.10x
Ealing 7 108.53x
Salcombe Regis 7 5000.00x
Bethnal Green London 6 19.14x
St Woollos 5 85.91x
Illogan 4 185.19x
Stoke Newington London 4 71.17x
Charlton Next Woolwich 3 116.73x
Eastry 2 588.24x
St Stithians 2 444.44x
Christ Church Newgate 1 294.12x
Clifton 1 13.99x
Probus 1 303.03x
Royal Navy 1 13.61x
St Ann Blackfriars London 1 769.23x
St George Bloomsbury 1 24.15x
St Lawrence Poultney 1 5000.00x
Walton On Thames 1 62.11x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Eliza 3
Anne 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Blanche 1
Clara 1
Clarrissa 1
Cordelia 1
Doria 1
Elizbt. 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Flora 1
Gertrude 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Jemima 1
Kate 1
Lillian 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Sarah 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 4
Henry 3
Joseph 3
Charles 2
Frederick 2
George 2
Oscar 2
Thomas 2
Thos. 2
Walter 2
Alexander 1
Alexr.B. 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Chas. 1
Conrad 1
Ernest 1
Geo. 1
Infant 1
James 1
Ricardo 1
Stacey 1
Wynford 1

FAQ

Grimaldi surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grimaldi surname in 1881?

In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Grimaldi surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grimaldi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 163 in 2016. That gives Grimaldi a modern rank of #22,407.

What does the Grimaldi surname mean?

An Italian surname likely derived from a Germanic personal name meaning "gray battle-mighty."

What does the Grimaldi map show?

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