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 740
House Servant 96
Agricultural Labourer 94
At Home 77
Labourer 61
Dress Maker 43
Power Loom Weaver 38
Annuitant 35
Farmer 34
Servant 34
Coal Miner 33
House Keeper 32
Frame Work Knitter 31
Cotton Piecer 30
Cotton Spinner 29
Farm Labourer 28
Clothier 26
Weaver 24
Cotton Weaver 23
Tailor 23
Laundress 22
Pauper 20
General Servant 19
Ag Labourer 18
Errand Boy 18

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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