NameCensus.

UK surname

Grix

Surname of English and German origin meaning "gray" or "grayish."

In the 1881 census there were 185 people recorded with the Grix surname, ranking it #13,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 224, ranked #18,164, down from #13,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Burgh, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doncaster, North Lincolnshire and Broadland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grix is 252 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.1%.

1881 census count

185

Ranked #13,506

Modern count

224

2016, ranked #18,164

Peak year

1911

252 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grix had 185 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016, ranked #18,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 252 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Grix surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grix surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grix 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 50 #24,274
1861 historical 78 #23,836
1881 historical 185 #13,506
1891 historical 198 #15,033
1901 historical 251 #13,102
1911 historical 252 #12,834
1997 modern 209 #17,157
1998 modern 216 #17,257
1999 modern 207 #17,855
2000 modern 211 #17,603
2001 modern 199 #17,996
2002 modern 204 #18,062
2003 modern 204 #17,909
2004 modern 209 #17,706
2005 modern 210 #17,572
2006 modern 211 #17,662
2007 modern 225 #17,154
2008 modern 228 #17,146
2009 modern 240 #16,896
2010 modern 242 #17,138
2011 modern 238 #17,188
2012 modern 230 #17,479
2013 modern 225 #18,027
2014 modern 220 #18,471
2015 modern 221 #18,289
2016 modern 224 #18,164

Geography

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Where Grix' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Burgh, Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Marsham and Aylsham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doncaster, North Lincolnshire, Broadland and Northumberland. 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 Burgh Norfolk
2 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 Marsham Norfolk
5 Aylsham Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doncaster 006 Doncaster
2 North Lincolnshire 008 North Lincolnshire
3 Broadland 001 Broadland
4 Northumberland 015 Northumberland
5 Doncaster 003 Doncaster

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grix

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grix

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Grix is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grix is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grix 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 Grix is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Grix

The surname GRIX has its origins in medieval England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "gric," which meant "a crevice" or "a small channel." This suggests that the name may have originally referred to someone who lived near a ravine or a small stream.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name GRIX can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1273, where a certain Robert Grix is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the region by that time.

In the 14th century, the GRIX surname appears in various records across several counties in England, including Suffolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. This indicates that the name had spread and become more widespread during this period.

An interesting historical reference to the GRIX name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1379, which mention a John Grix being charged with trespassing on the lands of a local nobleman. This provides a glimpse into the lives of those bearing the name during the medieval era.

One notable individual with the surname GRIX was William Grix (1548-1621), a English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Stratford-upon-Avon during the later years of William Shakespeare's life. It is believed that Shakespeare may have known Grix personally.

Another influential figure with the GRIX surname was Thomas Grix (1645-1703), a prominent Quaker leader and writer who played a significant role in the early history of the Religious Society of Friends in England.

In the 18th century, the GRIX name can be found in various parish records and court documents across different regions of England. For instance, a John Grix (1712-1789) was a respected landowner and magistrate in the county of Derbyshire.

Moving into the 19th century, one notable GRIX was Robert Grix (1824-1891), a successful industrialist and philanthropist from Manchester, who made significant contributions to the development of the city's textile industry and supported various charitable causes.

Finally, in the early 20th century, a certain Margaret Grix (1892-1967) gained recognition as a pioneering female architect and educator, breaking barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men during her time.

While the GRIX surname may not be among the most common in the English-speaking world, its long and varied history reflects the diverse experiences and contributions of those who have carried this name over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grix families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grix 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. Norfolk leads with 120 Grix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.25x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 120 43.25x
Surrey 14 1.59x
Yorkshire 13 0.73x
Middlesex 11 0.61x
Essex 9 2.53x
Durham 8 1.49x
Derbyshire 4 1.42x
Lincolnshire 2 0.69x
Cheshire 1 0.25x
Suffolk 1 0.46x
Sussex 1 0.33x
Warwickshire 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. Marsham in Norfolk leads with 19 Grix' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5588.24x.

Place Total Index
Marsham 19 5588.24x
Burnham Westgate 15 2500.00x
Burgh 14 10000.00x
Aylsham 13 787.88x
East Ham 8 121.03x
Norwich St Julian 8 683.76x
Plawsworth 7 1206.90x
Stalham 7 1320.75x
Hillingdon 6 104.35x
Middlesbrough 6 25.76x
Southwark St George Martyr 6 16.52x
Wandsworth 5 28.79x
Cawston 4 588.24x
East Bilney 4 3333.33x
East Lexham 4 3333.33x
Fakenham 4 291.97x
Newton St Faith 4 1904.76x
Thorpe Next Norwich 4 136.05x
Brailsford 3 750.00x
Headingley Cum Burley 3 26.06x
Lakenham 3 76.14x
Lyng 3 967.74x
St George Martyr London 3 82.19x
Wighill 3 2000.00x
Frodingham 2 194.17x
Ketteringham 2 1818.18x
Kettlestone 2 1818.18x
South Lynn 2 63.90x
Wormegay 2 689.66x
Baddesley Clinton 1 1250.00x
Barking 1 9.60x
Brereton Cum Smethwick 1 263.16x
Camberwell 1 0.87x
Catton 1 217.39x
Colkirk 1 370.37x
Exning 1 90.09x
Hackney London 1 0.99x
Hopton 1 1250.00x
Kirkleatham 1 41.49x
Lambeth 1 0.64x
Littlehampton 1 41.15x
Monkwearmouth 1 19.46x
Norwich St George Tombland 1 204.08x
Norwich St Michael At 1 62.11x
Norwich St Paul 1 60.24x
South Wootton 1 909.09x
Westminster St John 1 4.55x
Wimbledon 1 10.13x

Top female names

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

FAQ

Grix surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grix surname in 1881?

In 1881, 185 people were recorded with the Grix surname. That placed it at #13,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grix surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016. That gives Grix a modern rank of #18,164.

What does the Grix surname mean?

Surname of English and German origin meaning "gray" or "grayish."

What does the Grix map show?

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