NameCensus.

UK surname

Grizzle

A surname derived from Old French meaning "grey-haired" or referring to someone with grey hair.

In the 1881 census there were 24 people recorded with the Grizzle surname, ranking it #30,215 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 131, ranked #26,004, up from #30,215 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Redbridge, Birmingham and Haringey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grizzle is 141 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 445.8%.

1881 census count

24

Ranked #30,215

Modern count

131

2016, ranked #26,004

Peak year

2010

141 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grizzle had 24 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,215 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016, ranked #26,004.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 24 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Grizzle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grizzle surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Grizzle 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 22 #29,378
1861 historical 14 #32,072
1881 historical 24 #30,215
1891 historical 17 #32,787
1901 historical 13 #32,633
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 112 #25,244
1998 modern 114 #25,589
1999 modern 108 #26,602
2000 modern 114 #25,717
2001 modern 112 #25,644
2002 modern 123 #24,735
2003 modern 117 #25,282
2004 modern 110 #26,451
2005 modern 113 #25,974
2006 modern 112 #26,415
2007 modern 115 #26,348
2008 modern 118 #26,212
2009 modern 132 #24,929
2010 modern 141 #24,460
2011 modern 131 #25,430
2012 modern 123 #26,561
2013 modern 126 #26,585
2014 modern 129 #26,352
2015 modern 134 #25,607
2016 modern 131 #26,004

Geography

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Where Grizzles 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 Redbridge, Birmingham and Haringey. 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 Redbridge 006 Redbridge
2 Birmingham 039 Birmingham
3 Birmingham 032 Birmingham
4 Haringey 024 Haringey
5 Birmingham 045 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Grizzle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Grizzle

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Grizzle surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Grizzle household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Grizzle is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Grizzle is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grizzle falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Grizzle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Grizzle

The surname Grizzle is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period, likely derived from the Old English word "gris" or "grise," meaning "gray" or "gray-haired." This surname was likely bestowed upon someone with grayish hair or a grizzled appearance.

The earliest known record of the name Grizzle dates back to the late 13th century, with a mention of a John Grisyll in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 14th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Grissell, Grissel, and Grysyl, in records across different regions of England. For instance, a William Grysyl was documented in the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire in 1349.

One notable historical figure bearing the surname Grizzle was Sir Thomas Grysyll (c. 1400 - 1460), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire during the reigns of Henry V and Henry VI. His family's ancestral home was in the village of Grizlehurst, now known as Greasley, in Nottinghamshire.

Another early example is Richard Grissell (c. 1460 - 1520), a merchant and alderman in the City of London during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He served as the Sheriff of London in 1499 and was a benefactor to several charitable causes in the city.

In the 16th century, the surname Grizzle appeared in various spellings, including Grissell, Grisell, and Grizzle, across different regions of England. One notable figure was Edward Grisell (c. 1550 - 1620), a clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Somerby in Lincolnshire.

In the 17th century, the spelling "Grizzle" became more prevalent, as seen in the records of John Grizzle (1635 - 1705), a successful merchant and landowner in Yorkshire.

Another notable individual was Sir Benjamin Grizzle (1680 - 1754), a prominent naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the War of the Spanish Succession and later became an influential politician in the British Parliament.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Grizzle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grizzle 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. Hertfordshire leads with 8 Grizzles recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.60x.

County Total Index
Hertfordshire 8 49.60x
Middlesex 7 2.99x
Staffordshire 3 3.80x
Worcestershire 2 6.54x
Bedfordshire 1 8.25x
Kent 1 1.25x
Lanarkshire 1 1.32x
Warwickshire 1 1.69x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Redbourn in Hertfordshire leads with 8 Grizzles recorded in 1881 and an index of 4444.44x.

Place Total Index
Redbourn 8 4444.44x
Hanwell 7 1707.32x
Handsworth 3 153.85x
Wyre Piddle 2 10000.00x
Barony 1 5.22x
Lewisham 1 23.47x
Luton 1 47.62x
Old Stratford 1 303.03x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 2
Elizabeth 2
Mary 2
Ada 1
Annie 1
Charlotte 1
Emma 1
Martha 1
Rose 1
Sarah 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
George 2
Joseph 2
William 2
Arthur 1
Emberry 1
Walter 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 Grizzle households.

FAQ

Grizzle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grizzle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 24 people were recorded with the Grizzle surname. That placed it at #30,215 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grizzle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 131 in 2016. That gives Grizzle a modern rank of #26,004.

What does the Grizzle surname mean?

A surname derived from Old French meaning "grey-haired" or referring to someone with grey hair.

What does the Grizzle map show?

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