NameCensus.

UK surname

Musgrave

From the Old English elements "mus" meaning mouse and "graf" meaning grove or thicket, referring to a mouse-infested grove.

In the 1881 census there were 1,808 people recorded with the Musgrave surname, ranking it #2,409 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,219, ranked #2,923, down from #2,409 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Bradford and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Barnsley, Hartlepool and Allerdale.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Musgrave is 2,393 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.7%.

1881 census count

1,808

Ranked #2,409

Modern count

2,219

2016, ranked #2,923

Peak year

1911

2,393 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Musgrave had 1,808 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,409 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,219 in 2016, ranked #2,923.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,393 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Musgrave surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Musgrave surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Musgrave 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 1,013 #2,755
1861 historical 968 #2,879
1881 historical 1,808 #2,409
1891 historical 1,986 #2,325
1901 historical 2,355 #2,303
1911 historical 2,393 #2,143
1997 modern 2,135 #2,893
1998 modern 2,253 #2,860
1999 modern 2,270 #2,855
2000 modern 2,286 #2,824
2001 modern 2,239 #2,815
2002 modern 2,271 #2,839
2003 modern 2,224 #2,837
2004 modern 2,230 #2,836
2005 modern 2,183 #2,856
2006 modern 2,213 #2,827
2007 modern 2,226 #2,828
2008 modern 2,246 #2,827
2009 modern 2,298 #2,837
2010 modern 2,341 #2,851
2011 modern 2,292 #2,866
2012 modern 2,241 #2,877
2013 modern 2,281 #2,878
2014 modern 2,268 #2,906
2015 modern 2,256 #2,889
2016 modern 2,219 #2,923

Geography

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Where Musgraves are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Bradford and St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Barnsley, Hartlepool, Allerdale and County Durham. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
4 St Michael-le-Belfry, St Giles Yorkshire, East Riding
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Barnsley 012 Barnsley
2 Hartlepool 014 Hartlepool
3 Allerdale 005 Allerdale
4 County Durham 034 County Durham
5 Barnsley 030 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Musgrave

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Musgrave

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

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Musgrave is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Musgrave 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

Musgrave 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 Musgrave 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 Musgrave, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Musgrave

The surname Musgrave originates from the northern counties of England, particularly Yorkshire and Westmorland, during the 12th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "musce" meaning marsh or bog, and "græfe" meaning grove or thicket, suggesting the name referred to someone who lived near a marshy grove.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1176, mentioning a Richard de Musgrave. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were census-like records of landowners in England, indicating the family's long-standing presence in the region.

The Musgraves were a prominent family in the northern counties, owning lands and estates in various areas. One notable figure was Sir Thomas Musgrave (1337-1384), a distinguished soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War and was made a Knight of the Garter by King Edward III.

Another significant member of the family was Sir Richard Musgrave (1590-1670), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Westmorland. He was a staunch Royalist during the English Civil War and was involved in several military campaigns.

In the 17th century, the Musgraves established themselves in Ireland, with Sir Christopher Musgrave (1634-1688) becoming the Governor of Culmore Fort in County Londonderry. His son, Sir Richard Musgrave (1658-1718), was a prominent writer and historian, known for his work "Memoirs of the Rebellions in Ireland."

The name Musgrave is also associated with several place names in the northern counties of England, such as Musgrave Fell in Cumbria and Musgrave Manor in Yorkshire, further reflecting the family's longstanding connection to the region.

Other notable individuals with the surname Musgrave include Sir Philip Musgrave (1607-1678), an English judge and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Westmorland, and Sir James Musgrave (1710-1772), a British Army officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Musgrave families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Musgrave 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. Yorkshire leads with 640 Musgraves recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.65x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 640 3.65x
Durham 206 3.92x
Cumberland 179 11.76x
Lancashire 154 0.73x
Middlesex 144 0.81x
Lincolnshire 80 2.83x
Somerset 55 1.93x
Kent 48 0.80x
Cheshire 36 0.92x
Surrey 35 0.41x
Gloucestershire 25 0.72x
Northumberland 25 0.95x
Nottinghamshire 24 1.01x
Devon 20 0.54x
Derbyshire 16 0.58x
Glamorgan 14 0.45x
Leicestershire 14 0.71x
Westmorland 14 3.60x
Bedfordshire 12 1.31x
Essex 8 0.23x
Dorset 7 0.60x
Dumfriesshire 6 1.54x
Suffolk 6 0.28x
Lanarkshire 5 0.09x
Flintshire 4 0.84x
Hampshire 4 0.11x
Herefordshire 4 0.55x
Isle of Man 4 1.22x
Sussex 4 0.13x
Hertfordshire 3 0.25x
Royal Navy 3 1.42x
Caernarfonshire 2 0.28x
Shropshire 2 0.13x
Wiltshire 2 0.13x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.09x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.09x
Cornwall 1 0.05x
Denbighshire 1 0.15x
Oxfordshire 1 0.09x
Staffordshire 1 0.02x
Warwickshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 93 Musgraves recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.40x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 93 9.40x
Tudhoe 34 73.90x
Armley 31 40.13x
Workington 29 33.28x
Pudsey 27 28.84x
Bradford 22 5.19x
Holbeck 22 18.96x
Shoreditch London 22 2.87x
Lewisham 21 6.53x
Bramley In Bramley 20 29.83x
Islington London 20 1.17x
Kensington London 20 2.04x
Manchester 20 2.12x
Stranton 19 10.73x
Arthuret 16 100.82x
Crakehall 16 544.22x
Beverley St Mary 15 58.64x
Castle Northwich 15 116.19x
Folkestone 15 12.82x
Barnsley 14 7.75x
Dearham 14 69.72x
Hunwick Helmington 14 110.85x
Manningham 13 6.02x
Otley 13 30.57x
St Cuthbert W O 13 17.52x
West Derby 13 2.12x
Cockermouth 12 37.45x
Kirklinton Middle 12 487.80x
Walcot 12 7.92x
Darlington 11 5.42x
Little Bolton 11 4.08x
Shildon 11 26.03x
Wortley In Bramley 11 7.93x
York St Mary 11 15.16x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 10 3.06x
Heckmondwike 10 17.75x
Holy Trinity 10 2.37x
Lytham 10 31.23x
Messingham 10 145.99x
St Luke London 10 3.53x
Wellington 10 25.92x
Westoe 10 3.35x
Bermondsey 9 1.71x
Clerkenwell London 9 2.16x
Crosscanonby 9 17.88x
Heaton 9 101.69x
Hunslet 9 3.30x
Leicester St Mary 9 5.68x
Mexborough 9 25.88x
Mile End New Town 9 37.28x
Sculcoates 9 3.24x
Thornhill 9 17.61x
Wandsworth 9 5.29x
York St Maurice 9 27.29x
Calverley Cum Farsley 8 16.08x
Carlton In Barnsley 8 121.95x
Eaton Socon 8 55.71x
Eldon 8 96.04x
Gomersal 8 9.79x
Hart 8 62.45x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 8 3.51x
Horbury 8 26.11x
Kendal 8 11.25x
Kirkby Malzeard 8 208.33x
Laughton In Gainsborough 8 449.44x
Morley 8 8.78x
Newton Cap 8 98.04x
Whitby 8 13.55x
Wragby 8 258.90x
Barton Upon Irwell 7 4.43x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 7 11.68x
Bridgewater 7 9.06x
Bury 7 2.92x
Evenwood Barony 7 39.15x
Greasley 7 13.02x
Hackney London 7 0.71x
Stainton Le Vale 7 729.17x
Taunton St James 7 16.87x
Uffculme 7 63.87x
West Teignmouth 7 24.87x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 119
William 92
Thomas 73
George 64
Joseph 51
James 34
Charles 27
Henry 23
Robert 23
Arthur 17
Benjamin 17
Samuel 16
Richard 15
Alfred 13
Herbert 12
Ralph 12
Edward 11
Harry 10
Walter 10
Frederick 9
Frank 8
Albert 7
David 6
Leonard 6
Philip 6
Christopher 5
Percy 5
Thos. 5
Tom 5
Mark 4
Saml. 4
Wm. 4
Ernest 3
Gothorpe 3
Gregory 3
Hesket 3
Jas. 3
Simeon 3
Simon 3
Stephen 3
Anthony 2
Francis 2
Joe 2
Jonathen 2
Martin 2
Mathew 2
Matthew 2
Phineas 2
Sam 2
Sidney 2

FAQ

Musgrave surname: questions and answers

How common was the Musgrave surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,808 people were recorded with the Musgrave surname. That placed it at #2,409 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Musgrave surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,219 in 2016. That gives Musgrave a modern rank of #2,923.

What does the Musgrave surname mean?

From the Old English elements "mus" meaning mouse and "graf" meaning grove or thicket, referring to a mouse-infested grove.

What does the Musgrave map show?

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