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 1,634
Cotton Weaver 146
Coal Miner 124
Labourer 69
Annuitant 60
Agricultural Labourer 60
Domestic Servant 58
Dress Maker 58
General Labourer 57
House Keeper 42
Laundress 42
File Cutter 36
General Servant Domestic 33
Farm Labourer 32
Cotton Operative 31
Joiner 31
Cotton Spinner 27
Cotton Piecer 24
General Servant 23
Woollen Weaver 23
Worsted Weaver 23
Grocer 22
Charwoman 22
Carter 21
None 20

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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