Redgrave
A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a red cliff or ravine.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Redgrave. That puts it at #101,737 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Redgrave surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#101,737
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
177
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 177 bearers of the surname Redgrave in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 101737th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Redgrave, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Redgrave
The surname Redgrave originated in England during the medieval era. It is a locational name derived from the parish of Redgrave in Suffolk, which was recorded as Redgrava in the Domesday Book of 1086. The name likely comes from the Old English words "read" meaning red, and "graf" meaning grove or thicket, suggesting it referred to a red-colored grove or wooded area.
One of the earliest known bearers of the Redgrave surname was Walter de Redgrave, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1198. Another early record is that of Radulphus de Redgrave, found in the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1227.
In the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings such as Redegrave, Redgreve, and Redgrave. One notable individual from this period was William Redgrave, who was a witness to a deed in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in 1349.
The Redgrave family was well-established in Suffolk and Norfolk, with many members holding positions of prominence in their local communities. In the 16th century, Richard Redgrave (1504-1579) served as a Member of Parliament for Dunwich, Suffolk.
During the 17th century, the name spread to other parts of England. John Redgrave (1625-1685) was a clergyman and author from Yorkshire, while Samuel Redgrave (1630-1701) was a prominent merchant and landowner in Bristol.
Notable individuals with the Redgrave surname in more recent history include the actors Sir Michael Redgrave (1908-1985) and his daughters Vanessa Redgrave (born 1937) and Lynn Redgrave (1943-2010), who were part of a renowned acting dynasty.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Redgrave
Among Census respondents with the surname Redgrave, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Redgrave bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Redgrave surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.6%
- Hispanic or Latino2.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Redgrave surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #101,737 | #101,737 | 0.0% |
| Count | 177 | 177 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Redgrave bearers went from 177 to 177 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #101,737 to #101,737.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Redgrave
FAQ
Redgrave surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Redgrave?
The surname Redgrave holds position #101,737 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Redgrave surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Redgrave, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.6%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (2.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.