UK surname
A locational surname referring to residents of a ditch or depression.
In the 1881 census there were 18 people recorded with the Grims surname, ranking it #31,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3, ranked #38,594, down from #31,019 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stalbridge, London parishes and Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grims is 127 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 83.3%.
1881 census count
18
Ranked #31,019
Modern count
3
2016, ranked #38,594
Peak year
1861
127 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Grims surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Grims 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 | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 127 | #17,469 |
| 1881 | historical | 18 | #31,019 |
| 1891 | historical | 56 | #29,638 |
| 1901 | historical | 27 | #31,057 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 3 | #38,594 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stalbridge, London parishes, Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures), Manchester and Alford. 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 | Stalbridge | Dorset |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Hinckley (incl. Hydes Pastures) | Leicestershire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Alford | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Grims 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 Grims, 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 Grims surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Grims 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, Grims 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 Grims is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Grims, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Grims is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon word "grim," which means "fierce" or "grimacing." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone with a stern or grim facial expression. The earliest known record of the surname Grims can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled "Grim."
In the 13th century, the surname Grims was prevalent in the county of Yorkshire, England, particularly in the areas around the town of Grimsby. This town was likely named after a person with the surname Grims, as it was originally recorded as "Grim's by" in Old Norse, meaning "Grim's village."
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Grims was Robert Grimes (c. 1150-1220), a landowner and nobleman from Northumberland, England. Another notable figure was Sir William Grimes (1310-1382), a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War under King Edward III.
In the 16th century, the surname Grims appeared in various spellings, such as Grymes, Grimmes, and Grymmes. One notable individual from this period was Richard Grymes (1530-1592), a merchant and Member of Parliament for the borough of Ipswich.
During the 17th century, the surname Grims was also found in Scotland, where it was often spelled as Grimes. One prominent Scottish bearer of this name was Alexander Grimes (1616-1689), a religious leader and author who served as the Bishop of Dunblane.
As the surname Grims spread across the British Isles and beyond, it underwent various spelling changes, including Grime, Grym, and Grimme. One notable bearer of the name Grimes was Reverend John Grimes (1670-1736), an Anglican clergyman and author from Ireland.
While the surname Grims is not as common today as it once was, it has left a lasting legacy, particularly in the form of place names and historical records that bear witness to its long and fascinating history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grims 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. Lancashire leads with 4 Grims' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.66x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Accrington in Lancashire leads with 3 Grims' recorded in 1881 and an index of 218.98x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Accrington | 3 | 218.98x |
| St Peters | 3 | 1500.00x |
| East Ruston | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Hungerford | 2 | 1538.46x |
| Bishopwearmouth | 1 | 30.86x |
| Liverpool | 1 | 10.94x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 21.46x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Grims 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 Grims 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 Grims households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Capt Retd H M Army | 1 |
| Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Farmer 12 Acres | 1 |
| General Lab | 1 |
| Journeyman Tailor | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Shopkeeper (Genl) | 1 |
| Shopman In Boot Shop | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 18 people were recorded with the Grims surname. That placed it at #31,019 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 3 in 2016. That gives Grims a modern rank of #38,594.
A locational surname referring to residents of a ditch or depression.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Grims 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.