UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "crevice ford" or "ford by a crack or crevice".
In the 1881 census there were 44 people recorded with the Craford surname, ranking it #27,447 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 5, ranked #38,264, down from #27,447 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, Strachur and Stralachlan and Bothwell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Craford is 210 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.6%.
1881 census count
44
Ranked #27,447
Modern count
5
2016, ranked #38,264
Peak year
1851
210 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Craford surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Craford 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 | 210 | #10,030 |
| 1861 | historical | 162 | #14,310 |
| 1881 | historical | 44 | #27,447 |
| 1891 | historical | 64 | #28,781 |
| 1901 | historical | 24 | #31,365 |
| 1911 | historical | 8 | #32,903 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 4 | #37,951 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 6 | #37,837 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 7 | #37,816 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 5 | #38,264 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, Strachur and Stralachlan, Bothwell, Warkworth and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 2 | Strachur and Stralachlan | Argyll |
| 3 | Bothwell | Lanark |
| 4 | Warkworth | Northumberland |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Craford 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 Craford, 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 Craford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Craford 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, Craford 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 Craford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Craford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CRAFORD is believed to have originated in Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from an Old English word meaning "ford" or "crossing," combined with the Scottish word "crag," meaning a steep rock or cliff. This suggests that the name referred to a person who lived near a ford or crossing at the base of a crag or rocky outcrop.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name CRAFORD can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish landowners and nobles who were forced to swear allegiance to King Edward I of England. In this document, the name appears as "Craufurd," which was likely an early spelling variation.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the CRAFORD family gained prominence in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. Several members of the family were noted for their military service and loyalty to the Scottish crown.
One notable figure from this time was Sir Reginald Craford of Loudoun, who was knighted for his bravery in the Battle of Otterburn in 1388. Another was Sir Hugh Craford, who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the early 14th century.
In the 16th century, the CRAFORD name began to spread to other parts of the British Isles, including England and Ireland. One famous bearer of the name was the English poet and playwright Thomas Craford (c. 1545-1612), who was renowned for his satirical works and plays.
As the name evolved over time, various spelling variations emerged, including Crawford, Crauford, and Crafford. In the 17th century, a branch of the family settled in County Donegal, Ireland, where they became known as the Crawfords of Lougheske.
Another notable figure was Sir William Craford (1676-1742), a Scottish politician and judge who served as Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland. He was renowned for his legal expertise and played a significant role in shaping Scottish law during the early 18th century.
The CRAFORD surname continued to be prominent in Scotland throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with several members of the family achieving success in various fields, including politics, academia, and the military.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Craford 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. Northumberland leads with 10 Crafords recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.03x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 10 | 16.03x |
| Durham | 9 | 7.22x |
| Cumberland | 6 | 16.63x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.72x |
| Aberdeenshire | 2 | 5.15x |
| Kent | 2 | 1.40x |
| Angus | 1 | 2.57x |
| Argyllshire | 1 | 8.57x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 3.19x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 19.57x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.74x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 1.78x |
| Peeblesshire | 1 | 50.76x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 6.47x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.49x |
| Wigtownshire | 1 | 17.95x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. East Chevington in Northumberland leads with 10 Crafords recorded in 1881 and an index of 4761.90x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| East Chevington | 10 | 4761.90x |
| Darlington | 6 | 124.48x |
| Distington | 5 | 2631.58x |
| Heworth | 3 | 121.95x |
| Greenwich | 2 | 29.99x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 8.58x |
| Barony | 1 | 2.91x |
| Crimond | 1 | 833.33x |
| Crosscanonby | 1 | 84.03x |
| Dorking | 1 | 72.99x |
| Eddleston | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 4.43x |
| Fordoun | 1 | 344.83x |
| Gargunnock | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Lochgoilhead | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Market Weighton Arras | 1 | 370.37x |
| Montrose | 1 | 42.55x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 6.49x |
| Penninghame | 1 | 175.44x |
| St Quivox | 1 | 94.34x |
| Tyrie | 1 | 204.08x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Craford 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 Craford 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 Craford households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Coal Miner | 5 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Coalminer | 1 |
| Dom Serv | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Gen Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
| Tailors Apprentice | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 44 people were recorded with the Craford surname. That placed it at #27,447 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 5 in 2016. That gives Craford a modern rank of #38,264.
A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "crevice ford" or "ford by a crack or crevice".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Craford 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.