NameCensus.

UK surname

Musgrove

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the various places named Musgrove, derived from Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 1,442 people recorded with the Musgrove surname, ranking it #2,891 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,889, ranked #3,370, down from #2,891 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes and Gateshead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, Mansfield and Taunton Deane.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Musgrove is 1,999 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.0%.

1881 census count

1,442

Ranked #2,891

Modern count

1,889

2016, ranked #3,370

Peak year

2000

1,999 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Musgrove had 1,442 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,891 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,889 in 2016, ranked #3,370.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,866 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Musgrove surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Musgrove surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Musgrove 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 1,061 #2,640
1861 historical 989 #2,817
1881 historical 1,442 #2,891
1891 historical 1,425 #3,063
1901 historical 1,680 #3,070
1911 historical 1,866 #2,650
1997 modern 1,912 #3,156
1998 modern 1,953 #3,213
1999 modern 1,971 #3,213
2000 modern 1,999 #3,167
2001 modern 1,942 #3,182
2002 modern 1,958 #3,228
2003 modern 1,873 #3,273
2004 modern 1,865 #3,287
2005 modern 1,871 #3,256
2006 modern 1,837 #3,315
2007 modern 1,845 #3,322
2008 modern 1,879 #3,305
2009 modern 1,920 #3,315
2010 modern 1,944 #3,349
2011 modern 1,951 #3,305
2012 modern 1,935 #3,273
2013 modern 1,958 #3,301
2014 modern 1,953 #3,320
2015 modern 1,911 #3,347
2016 modern 1,889 #3,370

Geography

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Where Musgroves are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, London parishes, Gateshead, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, Mansfield, Taunton Deane and South Kesteven. 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 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 London parishes London 3
3 Gateshead Durham
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 001 Newark and Sherwood
2 Mansfield 006 Mansfield
3 Mansfield 013 Mansfield
4 Taunton Deane 005 Taunton Deane
5 South Kesteven 016 South Kesteven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Musgrove

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Musgrove

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Musgrove surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Musgrove household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Musgrove 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

Musgrove 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

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

Meaning and origin of Musgrove

The surname Musgrove originated in England, with its roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "musc," meaning marsh or bog, and "grava," meaning grove or small wood. This suggests that the name likely referred to someone who hailed from a marshy wooded area or a settlement near such a terrain.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of lands and properties commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry "Musgrave" is listed as a place name in the county of Northamptonshire, providing evidence of the surname's ancient origins.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms, including "de Musgrove," "de Musgrave," and "Musgrove," reflecting the evolution of spelling and the transition from a locational descriptor to a hereditary surname. Notable bearers of the name during this period include Sir Thomas de Musgrove, a prominent landowner in Westmorland, and Sir Richard de Musgrave, who served as High Sheriff of Cumberland in 1292.

As the surname spread across England, it took on various spellings, such as Musgrave, Musgrove, and Musgraves. One noteworthy figure was Sir Christopher Musgrave (1631-1688), an English politician and military officer who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.

In the 18th century, the Musgrove name gained prominence in the literary world with the poet and playwright Samuel Musgrove (1732-1782), whose works included the tragedy "The Royal Suppliants" and the poem "The Minstrel's Curse."

Another illustrious bearer of the name was Sir Anthony Musgrave (1828-1888), a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of Newfoundland and later as Governor of Jamaica. His contributions to colonial governance and his efforts to promote education and social reforms earned him recognition and respect.

The Musgrove surname has also been associated with various place names throughout England, such as Musgrave in Cumbria, Musgrove in Somerset, and Musgrove Willows in Wiltshire, further reinforcing its locational origins and the significance of the name in the country's history and geography.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Musgrove families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Musgrove 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. Middlesex leads with 227 Musgroves recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.61x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 227 1.61x
Durham 178 4.24x
Lancashire 173 1.03x
Yorkshire 103 0.74x
Northumberland 85 4.05x
Surrey 84 1.22x
Derbyshire 81 3.67x
Cumberland 59 4.86x
Nottinghamshire 58 3.05x
Devon 40 1.36x
Kent 34 0.71x
Somerset 33 1.45x
Bedfordshire 32 4.38x
Essex 28 1.01x
Gloucestershire 27 0.98x
Lanarkshire 27 0.59x
Warwickshire 26 0.73x
Sussex 18 0.76x
Hampshire 17 0.59x
Wiltshire 15 1.20x
Westmorland 14 4.52x
Monmouthshire 13 1.27x
Staffordshire 12 0.25x
Cheshire 10 0.32x
Midlothian 10 0.53x
Berkshire 8 0.76x
Cornwall 7 0.44x
Shropshire 7 0.57x
Channel Islands 6 1.44x
Herefordshire 5 0.86x
Lincolnshire 5 0.22x
Northamptonshire 1 0.08x
Oxfordshire 1 0.11x
Roxburghshire 1 0.39x
Worcestershire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 65 Musgroves recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.75x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 65 4.75x
Croydon 30 7.86x
Manchester 28 3.72x
Ryhope 25 85.82x
Medomsley 24 122.64x
Newburn 22 366.67x
St Pancras London 20 1.76x
Kempston 19 114.60x
Bethnal Green London 18 2.94x
Hackney London 18 2.28x
Throckley 18 311.42x
Holmside 16 154.74x
Lancaster 16 16.07x
Littleover 16 426.67x
Witton Gilbert 16 96.56x
Deptford St Paul 15 4.04x
Lambeth 15 1.22x
Aston 14 1.43x
Govan 13 1.15x
Greasley 13 30.30x
Mansfield Woodhouse 13 102.77x
Birmingham 12 1.01x
Brighton 12 2.50x
Derby St Werburgh 12 9.41x
Mansfield 12 18.24x
Poplar London 12 4.51x
St Luke London 12 5.30x
Stapleton 12 666.67x
Heworth 11 13.30x
Kendal 11 19.38x
Wallbottle 11 246.64x
Workington 11 15.82x
St George Hanover 10 5.43x
West Ham 10 1.63x
Bedminster 9 4.22x
Curry Mallet 9 382.98x
Dawdon 9 17.44x
Ellingstring 9 1607.14x
Kensington London 9 1.15x
Leeds 9 1.14x
Liverpool 9 0.89x
Moston 9 53.60x
Newington 9 1.73x
Rushall 9 32.12x
Salford 9 1.83x
St Cuthbert W O 9 15.20x
Strelley 9 737.70x
Stretford 9 9.77x
Tottington Lower End 9 11.32x
Alfreton 8 11.92x
Brigham 8 139.37x
Edmonton 8 7.04x
Gorton 8 5.08x
Higher Booths 8 26.52x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 8 91.01x
Marston Upon Dove 8 112.68x
Portsea 8 1.41x
Stranton 8 5.66x
Tiverton 8 15.82x
Charlton Next Woolwich 7 13.95x
Chelsea London 7 1.65x
Duffield 7 40.21x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 0.92x
Everton 7 1.31x
Glasgow 7 0.86x
Killerby 7 2500.00x
Leyton Low 7 12.37x
Long Wittenham 7 258.30x
Newland 7 30.11x
Plymouth St Andrew 7 3.09x
Salisbury St Thomas 7 70.85x
Shadwell London 7 17.74x
Tudhoe 7 19.06x
Whitehaven 7 10.81x
Whitworth 7 22.79x
Barony 6 0.52x
Chopwell 6 76.92x
Clitheroe 6 12.18x
Kirk Langley 6 182.93x
Longbenton 6 6.75x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 106
Elizabeth 57
Sarah 55
Jane 43
Ann 33
Emma 29
Alice 25
Margaret 24
Ellen 21
Annie 17
Eliza 16
Louisa 13
Ada 11
Edith 11
Emily 11
Florence 10
Isabella 10
Hannah 9
Charlotte 7
Harriet 7
Maria 7
Esther 6
Lucy 6
Agnes 5
Anne 5
Catherine 5
Kate 5
Martha 5
Ruth 5
Susan 5
Elizth. 4
Grace 4
Harriett 4
Julia 4
Louise 4
Rose 4
Amelia 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Isabel 3
Margt. 3
Rachel 3
Rebecca 3
Sophia 3
Amy 2
Barbara 2
Matilda 2
May 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 100
William 100
Thomas 53
George 46
Joseph 31
James 26
Charles 22
Henry 22
Samuel 22
Edward 15
Arthur 13
Frederick 13
Robert 13
Richard 12
Albert 9
Alfred 9
Francis 9
Walter 9
Frank 8
Thos. 7
Isaac 6
Matthew 6
Christopher 5
Harry 5
Edwin 4
Ernest 4
Fred 4
Wm. 4
Allan 3
Anthony 3
Benjamin 3
Adam 2
Andrew 2
Chas.Henry 2
Chris 2
Cuthbert 2
Daniel 2
Edgar 2
Geo. 2
Harold 2
Jacob 2
Joshua 2
Josiah 2
Leonard 2
Robt. 2
Rutter 2
Sidney 2
Simon 2
Theodore 2
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Musgrove surname: questions and answers

How common was the Musgrove surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,442 people were recorded with the Musgrove surname. That placed it at #2,891 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Musgrove surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,889 in 2016. That gives Musgrove a modern rank of #3,370.

What does the Musgrove surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from any of the various places named Musgrove, derived from Old English.

What does the Musgrove map show?

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