Greaves Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Greaves Name Meaning: A topographic name from old English 'graefe',meaning 'grove','brushwood' or a dense growth of bushes.

The name is of Anglo-Saxon origin.Topographical names were among the earliest created,as features in the 'landscape' provided easliy recognisable names.

Discover how your Greaves ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Greaves Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Greaves family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 997
Agricultural Labourer 111
Cotton Weaver 110
House Servant 73
Dress Maker 58
House Keeper 47
Labourer 43
Coal Miner 42
Servant 40
Carter 36
File Cutter 32
Cotton Piecer 30
Cotton Power Loom Weaver 29
Cotton Factory Worker 28
Blacksmith 24
Woollen Weaver 24
Nurse 22
General Servant 22
Cotton Spinner 21
Farmer 21
Cotton Winder 20
Wife Of Above 20
Laundress 19
Domestic Servant 17
Woolen Cloth Weaver 16

Greaves Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Greaves 100% 61,638
2 Groves 71% 55,517
3 Graves 86% 34,701
4 Grieves 71% 4,346
5 Greeves 86% 3,658
6 Greves 86% 2,031
7 Gervis 57% 1,055
8 Garvis 43% 704
9 Grooves 71% 535
10 Grives 71% 450
11 Greives 86% 269
12 Gravis 71% 191
13 Gervase 43% 163
14 Garves 57% 154

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The surname Greaves is the most popular version of all its varients

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