NameCensus.

UK surname

Grindal

A surname derived from a location name containing a mill or grind stone.

In the 1881 census there were 22 people recorded with the Grindal surname, ranking it #30,464 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 109, ranked #29,402, up from #30,464 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rugby, Merthyr Tydfil and Stratford-on-Avon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grindal is 113 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 395.5%.

1881 census count

22

Ranked #30,464

Modern count

109

2016, ranked #29,402

Peak year

2011

113 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grindal had 22 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,464 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016, ranked #29,402.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Grindal surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grindal surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grindal 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 40 #26,118
1861 historical 42 #28,691
1881 historical 22 #30,464
1891 historical 43 #30,933
1901 historical 30 #30,724
1911 historical 39 #29,025
1997 modern 78 #29,785
1998 modern 85 #29,439
1999 modern 85 #29,578
2000 modern 83 #29,809
2001 modern 86 #29,281
2002 modern 91 #29,181
2003 modern 90 #29,260
2004 modern 88 #29,758
2005 modern 96 #28,671
2006 modern 95 #29,113
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 88 #30,857
2009 modern 98 #29,906
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 113 #27,967
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 110 #29,028
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 110 #29,157
2016 modern 109 #29,402

Geography

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Where Grindals 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 Rugby, Merthyr Tydfil, Stratford-on-Avon and Harborough. 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 Rugby 001 Rugby
2 Merthyr Tydfil 007 Merthyr Tydfil
3 Stratford-on-Avon 005 Stratford-on-Avon
4 Harborough 006 Harborough
5 Merthyr Tydfil 006 Merthyr Tydfil

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grindal

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grindal

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Grindal surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Grindal 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Grindal is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grindal is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grindal falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grindal is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 20-25 mbit/s.

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

4
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Grindal

The surname Grindal has its origins in the Nordic countries, particularly in Norway and Sweden. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. The name is derived from an Old Norse word "grind," which referred to a gate, fence, or railing. It is likely that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a gate or worked as a gatekeeper.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Grindal can be found in the Swedish census records from the 16th century. The name appeared in various spellings, such as Grindahl, Grindahl, and Grindal, reflecting the regional variations and the influence of different languages.

In the 17th century, a notable bearer of the name was Edmund Grindal (1519-1583), an English churchman who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1575 until his death. He played a significant role in the Elizabethan Religious Settlement and was known for his moderate stance on religious reforms.

Another prominent individual with the surname Grindal was Håkan Grindal (1631-1684), a Swedish diplomat and statesman. He served as the Governor-General of Swedish Pomerania and was involved in various diplomatic missions during the latter part of the 17th century.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in various historical documents, including church records and land registries. One example is Jonas Grindal (1720-1798), a Swedish clergyman and author who published several religious works and contributed to the development of the Swedish language.

During the 19th century, the Grindal surname gained wider recognition with the emergence of notable individuals such as Charles John Grindal (1831-1914), a Norwegian-American politician and businessman who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Another notable figure was Nils Grindal (1842-1912), a Norwegian-American author and educator who played a significant role in the preservation of Norwegian culture and language in the United States.

Throughout history, the Grindal surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including clergymen, diplomats, politicians, and educators. While the name originated in the Nordic countries, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grindal families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grindal 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. Westmorland leads with 13 Grindals recorded in 1881 and an index of 276.01x.

County Total Index
Westmorland 13 276.01x
Cumberland 9 48.75x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Scalthwaiterigg in Westmorland leads with 10 Grindals recorded in 1881 and an index of 50000.00x.

Place Total Index
Scalthwaiterigg 10 50000.00x
Skelton 6 12000.00x
Castle Sowerby 3 7500.00x
Old Hutton Holmescales 2 6666.67x
Skelsmergh 1 3333.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Margaret 2
Ann 1
Barbara 1
Elizabeth 1
Emma 1
Tamar 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Joseph 3
Miles 2
Thomas 2
Adam 1
Isaac 1
James 1
John 1
William 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 Grindal households.

FAQ

Grindal surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grindal surname in 1881?

In 1881, 22 people were recorded with the Grindal surname. That placed it at #30,464 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grindal surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 109 in 2016. That gives Grindal a modern rank of #29,402.

What does the Grindal surname mean?

A surname derived from a location name containing a mill or grind stone.

What does the Grindal map show?

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