UK surname
A locational surname derived from places in England bearing that name, meaning "marsh or bog."
In the 1881 census there were 61 people recorded with the Carrow surname, ranking it #24,992 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 47, ranked #35,069, down from #24,992 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Johnston and Weston-super-Mare, Kewstoke, Worle. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carrow is 167 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.0%.
1881 census count
61
Ranked #24,992
Modern count
47
2016, ranked #35,069
Peak year
1861
167 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Carrow surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Carrow surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 73 | #20,581 |
| 1861 | historical | 167 | #13,956 |
| 1881 | historical | 61 | #24,992 |
| 1891 | historical | 92 | #25,109 |
| 1901 | historical | 63 | #27,134 |
| 1911 | historical | 51 | #27,708 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 40 | #33,856 |
| 1999 | modern | 44 | #33,601 |
| 2000 | modern | 36 | #34,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 36 | #34,171 |
| 2002 | modern | 29 | #35,030 |
| 2003 | modern | 36 | #34,522 |
| 2004 | modern | 29 | #35,270 |
| 2005 | modern | 36 | #34,894 |
| 2006 | modern | 34 | #35,255 |
| 2007 | modern | 38 | #35,153 |
| 2008 | modern | 38 | #35,262 |
| 2009 | modern | 36 | #35,496 |
| 2010 | modern | 35 | #35,676 |
| 2011 | modern | 30 | #35,949 |
| 2012 | modern | 44 | #35,164 |
| 2013 | modern | 44 | #35,222 |
| 2014 | modern | 43 | #35,293 |
| 2015 | modern | 48 | #35,004 |
| 2016 | modern | 47 | #35,069 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, Johnston, Weston-super-Mare, Kewstoke, Worle, Lambeth and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Johnston | Pembrokeshire |
| 3 | Weston-super-Mare, Kewstoke, Worle | Somerset |
| 4 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Carrow surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Carrow, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Carrow surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Carrow household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Carrow is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Carrow is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Carrow, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Carrow has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "carr" and "hoh," which together mean "a bend or turn in a marsh." This suggests that the name was initially associated with a geographical location, likely a settlement or village situated near a marshy area with a curving shape.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Carrow can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Carehov." This entry refers to a place in Norfolk, East Anglia, which is now known as the town of Carrow. The name has undergone various spelling variations over the centuries, including Carrow, Careho, Carehowe, and Carehoo.
In the 13th century, records show a William de Carrow who held lands in Norfolk. This indicates that the name had already become established as a surname by this time. Another notable figure bearing the Carrow name was John Carrow, a 14th-century English cleric who served as the Bishop of Norwich from 1370 to 1376.
During the 16th century, the Carrow family held significant influence in the city of Norwich, where they were involved in various civic and ecclesiastical affairs. One prominent member was Thomas Carrow (c. 1518-1594), who served as the Mayor of Norwich in 1564 and played a role in the city's religious and political life during the tumultuous period of the English Reformation.
In the 17th century, the name Carrow appeared in association with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sir Clement Carrow (c. 1615-1676), a lawyer and Member of Parliament who represented the borough of Great Yarmouth. Another was John Carrow (1617-1679), a Baptist minister and author who wrote several religious works during the Puritan era.
Moving into the 18th century, the Carrow surname gained recognition through individuals like Robert Carrow (1698-1758), an English landscape painter known for his depictions of rural scenes and country estates. Additionally, there was Mary Carrow (1730-1802), a philanthropist and benefactor who contributed significantly to various charitable causes in Norfolk.
As the centuries progressed, the Carrow name continued to be associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. Some notable examples include John Carrow (1798-1870), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars, and Edward Carrow (1867-1941), an English cricketer who played for Norfolk County Cricket Club in the late 19th century.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carrow surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 14 Carrows recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.43x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 14 | 2.43x |
| Somerset | 12 | 12.95x |
| Glamorgan | 9 | 8.98x |
| Cheshire | 5 | 3.94x |
| Pembrokeshire | 5 | 27.34x |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3.54x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 2.17x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 5.63x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 8.69x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.83x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.15x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 14.58x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.36x |
| Sussex | 1 | 1.03x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Taunton St James in Somerset leads with 7 Carrows recorded in 1881 and an index of 518.52x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Taunton St James | 7 | 518.52x |
| Clase | 6 | 160.86x |
| Chiswick | 5 | 159.24x |
| Johnston | 5 | 12500.00x |
| Monks Coppenhall | 5 | 104.38x |
| Kensington London | 3 | 9.38x |
| Swansea Town | 3 | 36.50x |
| Westonsuper Mare | 3 | 1578.95x |
| Bourn | 2 | 270.27x |
| Brightwell Baldwin | 2 | 5000.00x |
| Bristol St James In | 2 | 120.48x |
| Clifton | 2 | 35.03x |
| Islington London | 2 | 3.59x |
| Poplar London | 2 | 18.42x |
| Taunton St Mary | 2 | 117.65x |
| Brecknock St David | 1 | 322.58x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 11.16x |
| Lewes St John Southover | 1 | 153.85x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 17.06x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 3.25x |
| Stoke Damerel | 1 | 11.93x |
| Sutton | 1 | 49.26x |
| Wigan | 1 | 10.48x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Carrow surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Carrow surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Carrow households.
FAQ
In 1881, 61 people were recorded with the Carrow surname. That placed it at #24,992 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 47 in 2016. That gives Carrow a modern rank of #35,069.
A locational surname derived from places in England bearing that name, meaning "marsh or bog."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Carrow bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.