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 1,215
Cotton Weaver 137
Labourer 85
Agricultural Labourer 72
Coal Miner 65
Dress Maker 62
House Keeper 55
Domestic Servant 55
General Servant 48
Woollen Weaver 43
Annuitant 42
File Cutter 31
Laundress 29
Servant 27
Farm Labourer 26
Cotton Winder 26
Farm Servant 25
Blacksmith 24
Cotton Spinner 24
Cotton Operative 21
Cotton Piecer 21
Joiner 20
Frame Work Knitter 20
Carter 20
Nurse 19

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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