This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Grinstead family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Grinstead Family History

Grinstead Surname Meaning

English (southeastern): habitational name from East or West Grinstead in Sussex or from Greensted or Greenstead in Essex, all named from Old English grēne ‘green’ + stede ‘place’.

English: variant of Grimstead.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Grinstead family from?

You can see how Grinstead families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Grinstead family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Grinstead families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 110 Grinstead families living in Sussex. This was about 27% of all the recorded Grinstead's in United Kingdom. Sussex had the highest population of Grinstead families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Grinstead surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Grinstead ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Railway Clerk and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Grinstead. 16% of Grinstead men worked as a Railway Clerk and 78% of Grinstead women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Grinstead were Dairy Farmer and Domestic Servant.

View Census Data for Grinstead | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Railway Clerk
    16%
  • Heavy Worker
    11%
  • Motor Coach Driver
    11%
  • Dairy Farmer
    11%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    78%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    6%
  • Incapacitated
    4%
  • Domestic Servant
    3%

What Grinstead family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 15,000 census records available for the last name Grinstead. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Grinstead census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Grinstead

Passenger Lists

There are 711 immigration records available for the last name Grinstead. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Grinstead immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Grinstead. For the veterans among your Grinstead ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Grinstead military records

You've only scratched the surface of Grinstead family history

Discover More

What is the average Grinstead lifespan?

Between 1957 and 2004, in the United States, Grinstead life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1957, and highest in 1962. The average life expectancy for Grinstead in 1957 was 37, and 66 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Grinstead

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Grinstead ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Grinstead family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial