NameCensus.

UK surname

Grose

Derived from the Old French word "gros," meaning "large," "big," or "great," likely referring to a person's physical stature.

In the 1881 census there were 841 people recorded with the Grose surname, ranking it #4,486 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 837, ranked #6,664, down from #4,486 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Roach, London parishes and St Austell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Grose is 1,122 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.5%.

1881 census count

841

Ranked #4,486

Modern count

837

2016, ranked #6,664

Peak year

1911

1,122 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Grose had 841 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,486 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 837 in 2016, ranked #6,664.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,122 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Grose surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Grose surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Grose 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 798 #3,348
1861 historical 491 #5,322
1881 historical 841 #4,486
1891 historical 902 #4,570
1901 historical 1,043 #4,589
1911 historical 1,122 #4,143
1997 modern 954 #5,699
1998 modern 994 #5,703
1999 modern 1,007 #5,682
2000 modern 960 #5,882
2001 modern 947 #5,837
2002 modern 967 #5,837
2003 modern 939 #5,886
2004 modern 955 #5,822
2005 modern 913 #5,958
2006 modern 900 #6,041
2007 modern 888 #6,146
2008 modern 890 #6,179
2009 modern 889 #6,327
2010 modern 858 #6,642
2011 modern 853 #6,594
2012 modern 832 #6,642
2013 modern 837 #6,711
2014 modern 852 #6,645
2015 modern 850 #6,605
2016 modern 837 #6,664

Geography

Back to top

Where Groses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Roach, London parishes, St Austell, St Kew and Gorran. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 Roach Cornwall
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Austell Cornwall
4 St Kew Cornwall
5 Gorran Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 024 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 069 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 027 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 048 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Grose

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Grose

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

Grose is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Grose falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Grose

The surname Grose is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "gros" meaning "great" or "large." It likely originated as a nickname for someone of a large stature or impressive size. The name is first recorded in the 13th century in various regions of Germany, particularly in the southern and central areas.

One of the earliest documented instances of the surname Grose can be found in the Bern Shilling Book, a medieval tax record from the city of Bern, Switzerland, dating back to 1288. The name is recorded as "Grosse," which was a common spelling variation at the time.

In the 14th century, the Grose surname began to appear in other parts of Europe, including England and France. It is mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a census-like record from 1279, where it is spelled as "Grosse." This suggests that the name had spread to England by that time, possibly through German immigrants or travelers.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Grose was Hans Grose, a German merchant and trader who lived in the late 15th century. He is mentioned in various historical documents from the city of Nuremberg, where he conducted business dealings.

In the 16th century, the Grose surname gained prominence in England, particularly in the county of Norfolk. Notable individuals from this era include William Grose (1510-1587), a wealthy landowner and member of the gentry, and his son, Thomas Grose (1548-1621), who served as a Member of Parliament for the borough of Castle Rising.

Another significant figure was Francis Grose (1731-1791), an English antiquary and writer known for his works on antiquities and folklore. He is best remembered for his publication "The Antiquities of England and Wales," a comprehensive survey of historical sites and monuments.

In the 19th century, the Grose surname continued to be found across various parts of Europe and in the United States. One notable individual was Benjamin Grose (1809-1875), an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Throughout history, the surname Grose has been associated with various professions, including merchants, landowners, politicians, writers, and scholars. While its origins can be traced back to Germany, it has since spread and established itself in numerous regions around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Grose families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Grose 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. Cornwall leads with 485 Groses recorded in 1881 and an index of 51.13x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 485 51.13x
Middlesex 80 0.95x
Surrey 56 1.37x
Devon 51 2.92x
Kent 38 1.33x
Isle of Man 16 10.28x
Northamptonshire 15 1.90x
Worcestershire 14 1.28x
Somerset 11 0.82x
Durham 10 0.40x
Hampshire 10 0.58x
Lancashire 10 0.10x
Warwickshire 9 0.43x
Cumberland 7 0.97x
Gloucestershire 6 0.37x
Staffordshire 6 0.21x
Derbyshire 5 0.38x
Glamorgan 5 0.34x
Cheshire 4 0.22x
Essex 3 0.18x
Lincolnshire 3 0.22x
Sussex 3 0.21x
Wiltshire 3 0.40x
Royal Navy 2 2.00x
Shropshire 2 0.28x
Yorkshire 2 0.02x
Berkshire 1 0.16x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.19x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Austell in Cornwall leads with 79 Groses recorded in 1881 and an index of 243.60x.

Place Total Index
St Austell 79 243.60x
Gorran 39 1466.17x
Luxulyan 31 981.01x
St Kew 27 854.43x
Lewisham 23 15.09x
Roche 22 456.43x
Newington 21 6.78x
Kenwyn 20 80.61x
St Just In Penwith 19 103.20x
Stoke Damerel 19 15.56x
Lambeth 18 2.46x
Bodmin 15 95.54x
St Clement 15 151.52x
Clerkenwell London 12 6.07x
Redruth 12 44.71x
St Gluvias 12 225.99x
Ilsington 11 360.66x
Islington London 11 1.35x
Falmouth 10 29.78x
Kidderminster Borough 10 15.62x
Madron Penzance 10 28.99x
Sancreed 10 371.75x
St Cleer 10 121.51x
Whitechapel London 10 12.11x
Bermondsey 9 3.61x
Plymouth St Andrew 9 6.70x
St Columb Major 9 114.36x
St Merryn 9 576.92x
Taunton St James 9 45.76x
Bexley 8 31.65x
Cubert 8 747.66x
St Ewe 8 278.75x
Cleator 7 23.31x
Dallington 7 151.19x
Newlyn 7 172.84x
Rushen 7 66.54x
St Blazey 7 84.03x
Tregoney St James 7 397.73x
Birmingham 6 0.85x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 6 3.88x
Duston 6 83.92x
Edmonton 6 8.89x
Hetton Le Hole 6 18.99x
Lamorran 6 2307.69x
Lanivet 6 203.39x
Onchan 6 13.39x
Paddington London 6 1.95x
St Ive 6 98.68x
Toxteth Park 6 1.78x
Fulham London 5 4.11x
Gwennap 5 27.93x
Hampstead London 5 3.83x
Horninglow 5 37.54x
Lewannick 5 270.27x
Llantrisant 5 13.60x
Philleigh 5 649.35x
St Dennis 5 141.24x
St Pancras London 5 0.74x
Chulmleigh 4 100.76x
Cuby 4 930.23x
Helston 4 40.57x
Kings Norton 4 4.08x
Lansallos 4 194.17x
Mevagissey 4 63.49x
South Stoneham 4 10.74x
St George Bloomsbury 4 8.32x
St George In East London 4 5.07x
St Gluvias Penryn 4 52.63x
St Juliot 4 625.00x
St Levan 4 232.56x
St Marylebone London 4 0.89x
Stockport 4 4.20x
Arbory 3 88.50x
Bishopwearmouth 3 1.40x
Camberwell 3 0.56x
Gerrans 3 117.19x
Ludgvan 3 39.68x
Merther 3 422.54x
Millbrook 3 6.93x
Paignton 3 22.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 68
Elizabeth 39
Jane 24
Annie 21
Ann 17
Sarah 17
Eliza 14
Ellen 13
Emily 10
Emma 10
Maria 10
Alice 7
Edith 7
Matilda 7
Bessie 6
Elizth. 6
Harriet 6
Amelia 5
Hannah 5
Laura 5
Rebecca 5
Susan 5
Amy 4
Catherine 4
Fanny 4
Martha 4
Melinda 4
Rosa 4
Sophia 4
Beatrice 3
Betsy 3
Caroline 3
Florence 3
Gertrude 3
Grace 3
Louisa 3
Margaret 3
Margret 3
C. 2
Clara 2
Ethel 2
Georgina 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Lizzie 2
Lucy 2
Mabel 2
Nellie 2
Phillippa 2
Rachel 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 56
John 48
Joseph 32
Thomas 24
Henry 19
James 15
Alfred 14
Richard 14
Walter 11
Arthur 9
Nicholas 9
Samuel 9
Charles 8
George 7
Edward 6
Frederick 5
Herbert 5
Robert 5
Thos. 5
Ambrose 4
Edwin 4
Frank 4
Fred 4
Philip 4
Francis 3
Harry 3
Hy. 3
Michael 3
Stephen 3
Arther 2
Charley 2
Ernest 2
Herman 2
Isaac 2
Martin 2
Matthew 2
Percy 2
R. 2
Vincent 2
Wesley 2
Wm. 2
Arasmus 1
Eden 1
Edwd. 1
Gregory 1
Harold 1
Horace 1
Horatio 1
Morris 1
Woodman 1

FAQ

Grose surname: questions and answers

How common was the Grose surname in 1881?

In 1881, 841 people were recorded with the Grose surname. That placed it at #4,486 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Grose surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 837 in 2016. That gives Grose a modern rank of #6,664.

What does the Grose surname mean?

Derived from the Old French word "gros," meaning "large," "big," or "great," likely referring to a person's physical stature.

What does the Grose map show?

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