The surname Grace finds its origin in both English and Irish tradition, and its earliest forms are rooted in the Latin word gratia, meaning favour or divine favour. The name is therefore connected to qualities of charm, elegance and benevolence, attributes that have historically been associated with those bearing this surname.
In medieval England the surname developed in two main guises. The first arose from a nickname given to a person whose conduct was noted for charm and pleasantness. This nickname was derived from the Middle English and Old French word grace, itself ultimately taken from the Latin gratia. The second development stemmed from the female given name Grace, a name that was popular during the Middle Ages. The name in this context was at first thought to descend from the Old German word grisja and the Old French gris, meaning grey, which appears in Middle English as grece or greyce. By the late twelfth century, the personal name was recorded in England as Grecie in Suffolk (1188) and as Gracia in Surrey (1213).
The transition from a personal name or nickname to a heritable surname is documented in the late thirteenth century. The first known spelling is that of Henry Grece, recorded in 1275 in the Northamtonshire Hundred Rolls during the reign of King Edward I (1272‑1307). Subsequent early instances include Gilbert Gracye of Sussex (1296) and Adam Grace of Suffolk (1302).
An early bearer of the surname, George Grace, departed from London aboard the vessel Globe in August 1635, bound for the colony of Virginia. His migration is a notable example of the surname’s spread beyond the British Isles into the New World.
The surname Grace has long been associated, through its etymology, with attributes of beauty, kindness and refinement. These qualities reflect the original meaning of the Latin root and the social perceptions of those who acquired the nickname or adopted the given name during medieval times.