GRACE
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.
Typical given names associated with the Grace surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Angela
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Julie
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Carse
- Crosse
- Cruise
- Cruz
- Gorse
- Gra
- Graae
- Grac
- Graca
- Graces
- Gracey
- Graci
- Gracia
- Gracie
- Gracio
- Gracis
- Grae
- Grage
- Graice
- Grake
- Gras
- Grase
- Grases
- Grasey
- Grash
- Graske
- Grass
- Grasse
- Grassey
- Grassi
- Grassie
- Grasske
- Grasso
- Grasu
- Grayce
- Graye
- Grayes
- Graz
- Graze
- Grazi
- Greacey
- Greacis
- Greaess
- Grease
- Greasey
- Greasy
- Greci
- Greece
- Greese
- Greice
- Greiss
- Gresh
- Gress
- Gresse
- Greza
- Greze
- Grezo
- Griece
- Griese
- Griesse
- Grieze
- Keers
- Kraus
- Kruse
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Grace in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Grace are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Jammy Wagon Wheel.
There are approximately 8,709 people named Grace in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,086th most common surname in Britain. Around 134 in a million people in Britain are named Grace.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Grace
- Topher Grace - American actor
- Mckenna Grace - American child actress
- Nickolas Grace - Actor
- W. G. Grace - Cricketer (1848 to 1915)
- Janey Lee Grace - Musician, broadcaster and writer
- Helen Grace - Television and theatre actress
- Frederick Grace - Boxer (1884 to 1964)
- Regan Grace -
- W. G. Grace Jr - Cricketer (1874 to 1905)
- Charles Grace - Cricketer (1882 to 1938)
- Fred Grace - Cricket player of England. (1850 to 1880)
- David Grace - Snooker player
- John Grace - Politician (1886 to 1972)
- Alex Grace - Football player
- Alfred Grace - Cricketer (1866 to 1929)
- Henry Grace - Royal Navy officer, Chief of the Submarine Service, and son of W. G. Grace (1876 to 1937)
- Ted Grace - Australian politician
- Norman Grace - (1894 to 1975)
- John Hilton Grace - Mathematician (1873 to 1958)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.