NameCensus.

UK surname

Beecroft

A surname derived from a place name referring to a small meadow or clearing near beeches.

In the 1881 census there were 1,262 people recorded with the Beecroft surname, ranking it #3,230 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,419, ranked #4,297, down from #3,230 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hull Holy Trinity, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrogate, Waverley and Barnsley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Beecroft is 1,599 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 12.4%.

1881 census count

1,262

Ranked #3,230

Modern count

1,419

2016, ranked #4,297

Peak year

1911

1,599 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Beecroft had 1,262 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,230 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,419 in 2016, ranked #4,297.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,599 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Beecroft surname distribution map

The map shows where the Beecroft surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Beecroft surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Beecroft over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 779 #3,423
1861 historical 747 #3,653
1881 historical 1,262 #3,230
1891 historical 1,360 #3,194
1901 historical 1,508 #3,402
1911 historical 1,599 #3,041
1997 modern 1,486 #3,938
1998 modern 1,519 #4,000
1999 modern 1,516 #4,041
2000 modern 1,493 #4,080
2001 modern 1,468 #4,062
2002 modern 1,474 #4,123
2003 modern 1,454 #4,101
2004 modern 1,448 #4,114
2005 modern 1,407 #4,173
2006 modern 1,407 #4,177
2007 modern 1,425 #4,174
2008 modern 1,438 #4,168
2009 modern 1,460 #4,200
2010 modern 1,489 #4,207
2011 modern 1,458 #4,231
2012 modern 1,435 #4,225
2013 modern 1,451 #4,248
2014 modern 1,454 #4,273
2015 modern 1,424 #4,299
2016 modern 1,419 #4,297

Geography

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Where Beecrofts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hull Holy Trinity, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Nottingham St Mary and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harrogate, Waverley and Barnsley. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harrogate 018 Harrogate
2 Harrogate 006 Harrogate
3 Waverley 013 Waverley
4 Barnsley 010 Barnsley
5 Barnsley 012 Barnsley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Beecroft

These lists show first names that appear often with the Beecroft surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Beecroft

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Beecroft, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Beecroft surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Beecroft household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Beecroft is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Beecroft is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Beecroft falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Beecroft is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Beecroft, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Beecroft

The surname Beecroft has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the place name "Beecroft" or "Beacroft" in Cheshire, which itself is derived from the Old English words "beoce" meaning "beech" and "croft" meaning "a small enclosed field or meadow."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Becevrde." This entry suggests that the name was already in use by the late 11th century in the area of modern-day Cheshire.

During the 13th century, the name appeared in various records with different spellings, such as "de Bechcroft" and "de Beccroft," reflecting the evolution of the English language and the influence of Norman French on the spelling of surnames.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Beecroft include Sir John Beecroft (1556-1631), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1623. Another prominent figure was Samuel Beecroft (1800-1876), a British naval officer and explorer who surveyed parts of the West African coast and played a role in the suppression of the slave trade.

In the literary realm, John Beecroft (1690-1770) was an English clergyman and poet, known for his work "The Husbandman's Manual" published in 1760. Additionally, Henry Beecroft (1825-1905) was a British artist and illustrator, famous for his depictions of rural life and landscapes.

The surname Beecroft also has a connection to the American colonies, with individuals such as Joseph Beecroft (1720-1790), who emigrated from England to Connecticut in the mid-18th century and served as a soldier during the American Revolutionary War.

Throughout its history, the name Beecroft has been associated with various professions and fields, including politics, exploration, literature, and art, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and contributions of those who have borne this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Beecroft families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Beecroft surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 560 Beecrofts recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.59x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 560 4.59x
Nottinghamshire 124 7.48x
Lancashire 88 0.60x
Lincolnshire 69 3.51x
Surrey 64 1.07x
Derbyshire 55 2.86x
Suffolk 47 3.14x
Durham 41 1.12x
Middlesex 39 0.32x
Cheshire 29 1.07x
Northumberland 18 0.98x
Lanarkshire 15 0.38x
Warwickshire 12 0.39x
Essex 11 0.45x
Kent 11 0.26x
Staffordshire 10 0.24x
Leicestershire 9 0.66x
Midlothian 9 0.55x
Rutland 9 9.96x
Northamptonshire 8 0.69x
Hertfordshire 6 0.71x
Bedfordshire 5 0.79x
Berkshire 5 0.54x
Worcestershire 5 0.31x
Gloucestershire 4 0.17x
Sussex 3 0.14x
Devon 1 0.04x
Hampshire 1 0.04x
Monmouthshire 1 0.11x
Norfolk 1 0.05x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.26x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leeds in Yorkshire leads with 55 Beecrofts recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.99x.

Place Total Index
Leeds 55 7.99x
Holy Trinity 43 14.67x
Armley 42 78.13x
Nottingham St Mary 30 7.00x
Holbeck 21 26.00x
Long Preston 21 707.07x
Alfreton 20 34.18x
Camberwell 20 2.55x
Barton St Peter 17 188.68x
Barrowford Booth 15 92.88x
Fewston 15 1102.94x
High Low Bishopside 15 138.76x
Manningham 15 9.99x
Barnsley 13 10.34x
Batley 13 11.22x
Calverley Cum Farsley 13 37.56x
Horton In Bradford 13 6.83x
Bowling 12 9.94x
Cowpen 12 28.48x
Hunslet 12 6.31x
Sutton In Ashfield 12 33.35x
Worlingworth 12 442.80x
Battersea 11 2.43x
Blackburn 11 2.83x
Castle Bytham 11 400.00x
Gateshead 11 4.01x
Knaresborough 11 57.44x
Pentrich 11 101.48x
Lowestoft 10 14.13x
New Malton 10 68.63x
Newark Upon Trent 10 16.78x
Paddington London 10 2.21x
Cranston 9 214.29x
Dalton In Huddersfield 9 32.96x
Horsforth 9 33.68x
Lambeth 9 0.84x
Pointon 9 489.13x
Stonebeck Down 9 647.48x
Stretford 9 11.21x
Walsall Foreign 9 4.20x
Wervin 9 2307.69x
West Ham 9 1.68x
Wilford 9 193.13x
Blantyre 8 19.31x
Charlton Next Woolwich 8 18.28x
Ilkley 8 40.16x
Laneham 8 625.00x
Market Overton 8 490.80x
Wombwell 8 22.51x
Wortley In Bramley 8 8.29x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 7 6.16x
Basford 7 9.16x
Birmingham 7 0.68x
Great Little Marsden 7 10.47x
Gunthorpe 7 514.71x
Horham 7 489.51x
Kirkdale 7 2.85x
Newton Cap 7 123.24x
Ripley 7 29.40x
Ruddington 7 62.95x
Scarborough 7 6.32x
Southwark St George Martyr 7 2.83x
Tythby 7 2058.82x
Whitby 7 17.04x
Bradford 6 2.03x
Buckminster 6 560.75x
Crompton 6 14.43x
Gargrave 6 110.50x
Hatton In Runcorn 6 389.61x
Hetton Le Hole 6 12.94x
Liverpool 6 0.68x
Mere 6 1304.35x
Newington 6 17.87x
Old Monkland 6 3.80x
Romanby 6 340.91x
Southcoates 6 8.87x
St Pancras London 6 0.61x
Stow Upland 6 121.70x
Tanshelf 6 61.67x
Yardley 5 12.17x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Beecroft surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Beecroft surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 81
John 66
Thomas 46
George 40
Joseph 35
James 34
Henry 31
Charles 25
Robert 16
Alfred 15
Samuel 13
Arthur 11
Walter 10
Harry 9
Edward 8
Albert 7
Richard 7
David 6
Wm. 6
Abraham 5
Francis 5
Frank 5
Herbert 5
Ernest 4
Tom 4
Fred 3
Frederic 3
Frederick 3
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Ebenezer 2
Edgar 2
Edwin 2
Fredk. 2
Matthew 2
Percy 2
Silas 2
Stephen 2
Thos. 2
Wilfred 2
Andrew 1
Arnold 1
Bertram 1
Binks 1
Edwd. 1
Eli 1
Isaac 1
Isiah 1
Jabez 1
Jas. 1

FAQ

Beecroft surname: questions and answers

How common was the Beecroft surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,262 people were recorded with the Beecroft surname. That placed it at #3,230 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Beecroft surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,419 in 2016. That gives Beecroft a modern rank of #4,297.

What does the Beecroft surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name referring to a small meadow or clearing near beeches.

What does the Beecroft map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Beecroft bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.