NameCensus.

UK surname

Grinter

An English occupational surname derived from the word "grinder" denoting a miller or grainworker.

In the 1881 census there were 340 people recorded with the Grinter surname, ranking it #8,934 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 624, ranked #8,450, up from #8,934 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Chideock and Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Somerset and West Dorset.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grinter is 633 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 83.5%.

1881 census count

340

Ranked #8,934

Modern count

624

2016, ranked #8,450

Peak year

2014

633 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grinter had 340 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,934 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 624 in 2016, ranked #8,450.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 541 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Grinter surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grinter surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grinter 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 248 #8,840
1861 historical 218 #11,175
1881 historical 340 #8,934
1891 historical 422 #8,483
1901 historical 509 #7,954
1911 historical 541 #7,378
1997 modern 591 #8,235
1998 modern 622 #8,181
1999 modern 625 #8,206
2000 modern 628 #8,156
2001 modern 606 #8,237
2002 modern 614 #8,316
2003 modern 613 #8,191
2004 modern 615 #8,203
2005 modern 585 #8,422
2006 modern 580 #8,497
2007 modern 597 #8,383
2008 modern 595 #8,474
2009 modern 603 #8,569
2010 modern 613 #8,647
2011 modern 625 #8,412
2012 modern 623 #8,342
2013 modern 621 #8,509
2014 modern 633 #8,429
2015 modern 618 #8,530
2016 modern 624 #8,450

Geography

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Where Grinters are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Chideock, Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller, Wootton Fitzpaine, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bettiscombe, Marshwood and Martock. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Somerset and West Dorset. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Chideock Dorset
3 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset
4 Wootton Fitzpaine, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bettiscombe, Marshwood Dorset
5 Martock Somerset

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Somerset 010 South Somerset
2 West Dorset 005 West Dorset
3 South Somerset 019 South Somerset
4 South Somerset 017 South Somerset
5 South Somerset 024 South Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grinter

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grinter

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Grinter, 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 Grinter surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Grinter 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Grinter is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Grinter is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grinter falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Grinter

The surname Grinter is an English name that originated in the counties of Somerset and Wiltshire in the southwest of England during the late medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "grinte," meaning a grunter or a pig breeder. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname were likely involved in the pig farming or pork production industry.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Grinter can be found in the Wiltshire Muster Roll of 1539, which lists a John Grinter among the citizens of the county. Another early reference appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset from 1543, where a Thomas Grinter is mentioned as a resident of the area.

The Grinter name has also been linked to various place names in the southwest of England, such as Grinter's Farm in Somerset, and Grinter's Field in Wiltshire. These locations likely took their names from early settlers bearing the Grinter surname.

Notable individuals with the surname Grinter throughout history include:

1. William Grinter (c. 1540-1615), an English clergyman and author from Somerset who published several religious works in the late 16th century.

2. John Grinter (c. 1570-1642), a merchant and alderman in the city of Bristol, who served as the city's mayor in 1623.

3. Mary Grinter (c. 1610-1682), a prominent Quaker from Wiltshire who was known for her religious writings and activism during the English Civil War.

4. Samuel Grinter (1687-1756), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the early 18th century and participated in several major battles.

5. George Grinter (1792-1868), a British architect and surveyor who designed several notable buildings in London and the surrounding areas during the Victorian era.

Throughout its history, the Grinter surname has maintained a strong presence in southwestern England, particularly in the counties of Somerset and Wiltshire, where it originated. While not a widespread name globally, it has remained an enduring part of the region's cultural heritage and history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grinter families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grinter 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. Somerset leads with 178 Grinters recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.11x.

County Total Index
Somerset 178 32.11x
Dorset 61 26.99x
Glamorgan 24 4.00x
Middlesex 19 0.55x
Surrey 14 0.83x
Devon 12 1.67x
Channel Islands 11 10.78x
Wiltshire 6 1.97x
Gloucestershire 5 0.74x
Lancashire 5 0.12x
Hampshire 4 0.57x
Essex 3 0.44x
Sussex 3 0.52x
Royal Navy 2 4.87x
Herefordshire 1 0.71x
Hertfordshire 1 0.42x
Kent 1 0.09x
Norfolk 1 0.19x
Warwickshire 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Curry Rivell in Somerset leads with 36 Grinters recorded in 1881 and an index of 1945.95x.

Place Total Index
Curry Rivell 36 1945.95x
Whitchurch Canonicorum 30 2380.95x
Hinton St George 26 3250.00x
Taunton St James 17 210.40x
Chideock 16 2000.00x
Stoke Under Hambdon 14 769.23x
Kingsbury Episcopi 12 666.67x
Martock 12 333.33x
Bridport 11 236.56x
Long Sutton 9 873.79x
Neath 9 73.77x
Bermondsey 8 7.80x
East Stonehouse 8 56.66x
Sampford Arundell 8 3076.92x
St Peter Port 8 42.37x
St Pancras London 7 2.53x
Street 7 233.33x
Swansea Higher 7 112.18x
Wincanton 6 210.53x
Wootton Bassett 6 226.42x
Kewstoke 5 574.71x
Muchelney 5 1666.67x
Oldham 5 3.79x
Chilton Trinity 4 2000.00x
Clase 4 17.95x
Kensington London 4 2.09x
Langport Eastover 4 500.00x
Westbury On Trym 4 17.48x
Holdenhurst 3 16.21x
Islington London 3 0.90x
Stoke Damerel 3 5.98x
Barrington 2 408.16x
Huish Episcopi 2 253.16x
Lambeth 2 0.67x
Marshwood 2 512.82x
Newington 2 1.57x
Paddington London 2 1.58x
Roath 2 7.34x
Royal Navy 2 5.70x
Springfield 2 67.11x
St George Hanover Square 2 3.30x
St Martin 2 32.00x
Swansea Town 2 4.07x
Weston Super Mare 2 14.29x
Aston 1 0.42x
Bath St James 1 17.30x
Brockworth 1 192.31x
Croydon 1 1.07x
Drayton 1 200.00x
Grafton 1 769.23x
Hemel Hempstead 1 9.35x
High Ham 1 75.76x
Kingstone 1 370.37x
Netherbury 1 53.48x
Norwich St George Colegate 1 51.81x
Penge 1 4.55x
Pershore St Andrew 1 40.32x
Portsmouth 1 6.15x
Preston 1 9.86x
Prittlewell 1 10.62x
St Andrew 1 74.07x
Steepleton Preston 1 1111.11x
Subdeanery 1 22.73x
Taunton St Mary 1 9.83x
Tiverton 1 8.10x
Twickenham 1 6.78x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 22.42x
Westonsuper Mare 1 88.50x
Willingdon 1 68.03x
Woolwich 1 2.30x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 31
Elizabeth 12
Eliza 8
Emma 8
Sarah 8
Ann 7
Ellen 7
Caroline 6
Charlotte 5
Jane 5
Annie 4
Martha 4
Alice 3
Bessie 3
Emily 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Louisa 3
Susan 3
Ada 2
Ethel 2
Francis 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Mercy 2
Rhoda 2
Rose 2
Amber 1
Arabella 1
Armandine 1
Bessy 1
Betrice 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Elsie 1
Emeline 1
Florence 1
Georgeinna 1
Gertrude 1
Harriett 1
Jemima 1
Lucey 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Maude 1
Miriam 1
Nellie 1
Nelly 1
Tryphon 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 19
John 17
William 16
James 12
Henry 10
Charles 9
Frederick 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Joseph 5
Robert 5
Thomas 5
Frank 4
Harry 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
Ernest 3
Geo. 3
Richard 3
Arthur 2
Earnest 2
Eli 2
Fred 2
Herbert 2
Joel 2
Abraham 1
Adam 1
Armand 1
Benj. 1
Chas. 1
Claud 1
Edwin 1
Francis 1
Frederic 1
Hender 1
Jas. 1
Job 1
Octavius 1
Phillip 1
Robt. 1
Simon 1
Thos.Hy. 1
Tom 1
Valentine 1
W. 1
Winfred 1
Wm.G. 1

FAQ

Grinter surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grinter surname in 1881?

In 1881, 340 people were recorded with the Grinter surname. That placed it at #8,934 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grinter surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 624 in 2016. That gives Grinter a modern rank of #8,450.

What does the Grinter surname mean?

An English occupational surname derived from the word "grinder" denoting a miller or grainworker.

What does the Grinter map show?

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