NameCensus.

UK surname

Grisdale

A habitational surname derived from a place name containing Old Norse elements meaning "gravel valley".

In the 1881 census there were 519 people recorded with the Grisdale surname, ranking it #6,572 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 401, ranked #11,857, down from #6,572 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Toxteth Park, Greystoke and Penrith. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include High Peak, Eden and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grisdale is 608 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 22.7%.

1881 census count

519

Ranked #6,572

Modern count

401

2016, ranked #11,857

Peak year

1911

608 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grisdale had 519 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,572 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 401 in 2016, ranked #11,857.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 608 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Grisdale surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grisdale surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grisdale 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 450 #5,485
1861 historical 383 #6,680
1881 historical 519 #6,572
1891 historical 508 #7,341
1901 historical 583 #7,232
1911 historical 608 #6,777
1997 modern 424 #10,531
1998 modern 452 #10,384
1999 modern 441 #10,631
2000 modern 439 #10,650
2001 modern 433 #10,561
2002 modern 436 #10,712
2003 modern 436 #10,552
2004 modern 440 #10,494
2005 modern 434 #10,502
2006 modern 409 #11,032
2007 modern 413 #11,100
2008 modern 414 #11,160
2009 modern 435 #10,991
2010 modern 436 #11,189
2011 modern 410 #11,644
2012 modern 396 #11,807
2013 modern 421 #11,462
2014 modern 415 #11,688
2015 modern 400 #11,909
2016 modern 401 #11,857

Geography

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Where Grisdales are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Toxteth Park, Greystoke, Penrith, Barton and Dalton-in-Furness. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to High Peak, Eden, Allerdale and Oldham. 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 Toxteth Park Lancashire
2 Greystoke Cumberland
3 Penrith Cumberland
4 Barton Westmorland
5 Dalton-in-Furness Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 High Peak 013 High Peak
2 Eden 006 Eden
3 Allerdale 009 Allerdale
4 Oldham 029 Oldham
5 Allerdale 012 Allerdale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grisdale

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grisdale

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Grisdale surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Grisdale household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Grisdale 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

Grisdale is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grisdale falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Grisdale

The surname Grisdale originates from the northern counties of England, particularly Cumberland and Westmorland, now part of Cumbria. It dates back to the late medieval period, around the 13th and 14th centuries.

Grisdale is a locational surname derived from the place name Grizdale or Grizedale, a valley in the Lake District of Cumbria. The name is believed to have originated from the Old Norse words "griss," meaning a young pig or piglet, and "dalr," meaning a valley or dale. Thus, the name likely referred to a valley where pigs were pastured or raised.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of the Grisdale surname can be found in historical records from the 14th century in Cumbria. For example, in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332, there is a mention of a John de Grysedale from Westmorland.

In the 16th century, the Grisdale surname appeared in the Cumbrian parish registers, such as the baptism of George Grysedaill in 1558 at Greystoke, Cumberland. The spelling variations during this period included Grysdale, Grysdall, and Grisedale.

Notable individuals with the Grisdale surname throughout history include:

1. Robert Grisdale (c. 1634 - 1696), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Cockermouth from 1685 to 1687. 2. John Grisdale (c. 1685 - 1744), an English clergyman and author who published sermons and religious works. 3. William Grisdale (1718 - 1791), a prominent landowner and agriculturist from Westmorland, known for his innovative farming practices. 4. Thomas Grisdale (1801 - 1876), a British architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in Cumbria. 5. Reverend John Grisdale (1833 - 1911), an Anglican priest and headmaster of Kendal Grammar School in Westmorland.

While the Grisdale surname is predominantly associated with the northern counties of England, particularly Cumbria, it has since spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond due to migration and settlement patterns over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grisdale families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grisdale 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. Lancashire leads with 162 Grisdales recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.70x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 162 2.70x
Cumberland 121 27.81x
Westmorland 73 65.74x
Yorkshire 66 1.32x
Cheshire 19 1.70x
Durham 16 1.06x
Middlesex 11 0.22x
Hampshire 9 0.87x
Northumberland 8 1.06x
Surrey 8 0.32x
Bedfordshire 5 1.91x
Caernarfonshire 4 1.96x
Lincolnshire 4 0.50x
Essex 3 0.30x
Hertfordshire 2 0.57x
Norfolk 2 0.26x
Berkshire 1 0.26x
Derbyshire 1 0.13x
Flintshire 1 0.74x
Shropshire 1 0.23x
Sussex 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Penrith in Cumberland leads with 32 Grisdales recorded in 1881 and an index of 199.13x.

Place Total Index
Penrith 32 199.13x
Toxteth Park 26 12.81x
Keswick 17 305.76x
Everton 14 7.33x
Leeds 12 4.24x
Matterdale 12 2000.00x
Liverpool 10 2.75x
Monkwearmouth Shore 10 34.08x
Watermillock 10 1250.00x
Colton 9 287.54x
Hoose 9 430.62x
Hunslet 9 11.53x
Lancaster 9 25.23x
Strickland Roger 9 1200.00x
Above Derwent 8 493.83x
Bentham 8 209.42x
Brotton 8 122.51x
Whitwell Selside 8 1860.47x
Accrington 7 12.84x
Aldershot 7 20.18x
Barrow In Furness 7 8.58x
Elswick 7 11.67x
Grasmere 7 551.18x
Over Staveley 7 555.56x
Patterdale 7 569.11x
Great Lever 6 94.34x
Kirkdale 6 5.95x
Rumworth 6 70.01x
Winton 6 1395.35x
Ambleside 5 145.35x
Bedford St Peter 5 73.53x
Beswick 5 32.62x
Cleator 5 27.61x
Crosscanonby 5 34.75x
Holbeck 5 15.07x
Lambeth 5 1.13x
Little Bolton 5 6.49x
Pendlebury 5 39.49x
St Marylebone London 5 1.85x
Tranmere 5 12.20x
Warcop 5 400.00x
Westhoughton 5 31.25x
Corney 4 1000.00x
Dalston Buckabank 4 454.55x
Haxey 4 116.62x
Islington London 4 0.82x
Llanbeblig 4 19.30x
Manchester 4 1.48x
Nether Staveley 4 714.29x
Urswick 4 179.37x
Aldingham 3 150.00x
Barnes 3 28.82x
Barnoldswick 3 42.92x
Blackburn 3 1.88x
Bramley In Bramley 3 15.65x
Crosthwaite 3 555.56x
Dacre 3 178.57x
Great Bolton 3 3.78x
Great Kelk 3 967.74x
Hayton Mealo 3 588.24x
Hoghton 3 198.68x
Oldham 3 1.55x
Sharples 3 46.15x
Undermilbeck 3 81.97x
Upper Denton 3 1153.85x
West Ham 3 1.36x
Ainsworth 2 86.21x
Aughton 2 33.67x
Borrowdale 2 256.41x
Farnborough 2 18.38x
Gateshead 2 1.78x
Kirkby Thore 2 222.22x
Lea Ashton Ingol 2 50.25x
Monks Coppenhall 2 4.75x
Pennington In Leigh 2 17.39x
Pudsey 2 7.47x
Rickergate 2 21.74x
Rydal Loughrigg 2 232.56x
Underbarrow Bradley 2 250.00x
Willington 2 23.02x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 45
William 37
Thomas 27
Joseph 26
Robert 15
George 14
James 11
Walter 6
Isaac 5
Henry 4
Richard 4
Charles 3
Levi 3
Matthew 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Edward 2
Jeremiah 2
Jonathan 2
Josiah 2
Wilfred 2
Wilson 2
Doar 1
Edwin 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Gabriel 1
Geoge 1
Harry 1
Lowther 1
Mark 1
Norman 1
Ralph 1
Reginald 1
Rich. 1
Rivers 1
Robinson 1
Rodger 1
Samuel 1
Simon 1
Soloman 1
Stephen 1
Thos.H. 1
Timothy 1
Tom 1
Walker 1
Wilfrid 1
Willie 1
Wm.S. 1

FAQ

Grisdale surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grisdale surname in 1881?

In 1881, 519 people were recorded with the Grisdale surname. That placed it at #6,572 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grisdale surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 401 in 2016. That gives Grisdale a modern rank of #11,857.

What does the Grisdale surname mean?

A habitational surname derived from a place name containing Old Norse elements meaning "gravel valley".

What does the Grisdale map show?

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