NameCensus.

UK surname

Crankshaw

A surname derived from a location name referring to a crooked or winding stream.

In the 1881 census there were 412 people recorded with the Crankshaw surname, ranking it #7,814 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 230, ranked #17,812, down from #7,814 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, Dean and Blackburn. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rossendale and Sutton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crankshaw is 511 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 44.2%.

1881 census count

412

Ranked #7,814

Modern count

230

2016, ranked #17,812

Peak year

1851

511 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crankshaw had 412 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,814 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016, ranked #17,812.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 511 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Crankshaw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crankshaw surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crankshaw 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 511 #4,895
1861 historical 351 #7,278
1881 historical 412 #7,814
1891 historical 374 #9,343
1901 historical 439 #8,863
1911 historical 469 #8,232
1997 modern 244 #15,520
1998 modern 243 #15,993
1999 modern 248 #15,884
2000 modern 244 #16,004
2001 modern 245 #15,721
2002 modern 240 #16,291
2003 modern 242 #15,960
2004 modern 241 #16,086
2005 modern 236 #16,286
2006 modern 240 #16,177
2007 modern 239 #16,449
2008 modern 246 #16,247
2009 modern 258 #16,050
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 243 #16,968
2012 modern 229 #17,537
2013 modern 236 #17,472
2014 modern 238 #17,480
2015 modern 237 #17,413
2016 modern 230 #17,812

Geography

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Where Crankshaws are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, Dean, Blackburn, Bolton-le-Moors and Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rossendale and Sutton. 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 Rochdale Lancashire
2 Dean Lancashire
3 Blackburn Lancashire
4 Bolton-le-Moors Lancashire
5 Bury (Walmersley and Tottington, Heap),Middleton (Birtle with Bamford, Pilsworth) Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rossendale 010 Rossendale
2 Rossendale 004 Rossendale
3 Rossendale 002 Rossendale
4 Sutton 019 Sutton
5 Rossendale 007 Rossendale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crankshaw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crankshaw

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Crankshaw, 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

Ageing Communities

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Crankshaw is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Crankshaw is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Crankshaw falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Crankshaw 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.

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Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Crankshaw

The surname Crankshaw is of English origin, with its roots traced back to the northern counties of England during the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name, derived from a place called Crankshaw, which was likely a small hamlet or a farmstead.

The name Crankshaw is thought to be composed of two Old English elements: "cranc," which means "a bend or a winding," and "sceaga," meaning "a small wood or grove." This suggests that the original place name referred to a wooded area with winding paths or a curved shape.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Crankshaw can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, dated around 1170, where it appears as "Crancheshaw." This early spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various historical records, such as the Feet of Fines for Lancashire in 1246, where it is listed as "Crankeshawe." This indicates that the surname was well-established in the northern regions of England by that time.

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Crankshaw is Edward Crankshaw (1909-2003), a British writer and historian who authored several books on Russian history and literature. He was born in London and spent many years as a journalist and lecturer.

Another prominent figure was Robert Crankshaw (1858-1927), a British businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the Prestwich division of Lancashire from 1906 to 1918.

In the realm of sports, Geoffrey Crankshaw (1908-1986) was an English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club in the 1930s. He was born in Ashton-under-Lyne and had a successful career as a right-arm fast-medium bowler.

The name Crankshaw also has literary connections, with Edith Crankshaw (1883-1965) being a notable English novelist and short story writer. She was born in Liverpool and published several works during her lifetime.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Crankshaw can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Crancheshaw" in the county of Lancashire. This historic record provides evidence of the surname's roots in the northern regions of England during the Norman period.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crankshaw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crankshaw 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. Lancashire leads with 371 Crankshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.91x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 371 7.91x
Cheshire 12 1.38x
Middlesex 11 0.28x
Gloucestershire 4 0.52x
Westmorland 4 4.61x
Derbyshire 2 0.32x
Midlothian 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newchurch in Lancashire leads with 45 Crankshaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 117.34x.

Place Total Index
Newchurch 45 117.34x
Blackrod 39 668.95x
Little Bolton 33 54.75x
Higher Booths 27 319.53x
Halliwell 18 105.51x
Accrington 17 39.89x
Haslingden 13 66.98x
Spotland 12 23.02x
Blackburn 11 8.82x
Elton 11 67.90x
Hulme 11 11.24x
Sharples 11 216.54x
Liverpool 10 3.51x
Adlington 9 205.01x
Gorton 9 20.42x
Horwich 9 176.13x
Tottington Lower End 9 40.40x
Oswaldtwistle 8 48.31x
Radcliffe 8 35.40x
Stockport 8 17.83x
Broughton In Salford 6 14.00x
Penwortham 6 270.27x
St Anne Soho London 6 26.60x
Standish With Langtree 6 103.99x
Walton Le Dale 6 47.62x
Manchester 5 2.37x
Clifton 4 10.21x
Great Strickland 4 1052.63x
Tonge With Haulgh 4 43.81x
Bedford 3 30.58x
East Broughton 3 225.56x
Great Bolton 3 4.83x
Beard 2 99.50x
Chadderton 2 8.73x
Chelford 2 476.19x
Chorlton On Medlock 2 2.69x
Cowpe Lench Newhall Hey 2 39.92x
Lower Booths 2 23.81x
Over Darwen 2 5.34x
Paddington London 2 1.38x
Westhoughton 2 15.99x
Withnell 2 69.44x
Abram 1 27.78x
Ardwick 1 2.37x
Dunnockshaw 1 344.83x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.47x
Millington 1 277.78x
Pendleton In Salford 1 1.79x
St Giles In Fields London 1 5.16x
St Pancras London 1 0.31x
Walmersley Cum 1 13.35x
West Kirby 1 65.79x
Westminster St James 1 2.46x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 24
Margaret 20
Mary 18
Alice 16
Ann 15
Ellen 10
Sarah 10
Jane 9
Hannah 6
Martha 6
Emma 4
Esther 4
Ruth 4
Eliza 3
Margret 3
Annie 2
Betty 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Edith 2
Harriet 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Susan 2
Angelina 1
Anna 1
Betsy 1
Catherine 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Eva 1
Gertrude 1
Helen 1
Isabela 1
Isabella 1
Kate 1
M. 1
Maggie 1
Margeret 1
Maria 1
Nellie 1
Nora 1
Rachel 1
Rebecca 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 38
William 23
James 15
Thomas 15
Richard 14
Henry 9
Charles 8
David 8
Albert 6
George 6
Moses 6
Benjamin 4
Joseph 4
Robert 4
Walter 4
Alfred 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Herbert 3
Aaron 2
Edwin 2
Elijah 2
Levi 2
Samuel 2
Abraham 1
Captain 1
Cecil 1
Ellis 1
Ernest 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Hartley 1
Horatio 1
Hotwell 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Jonas 1
Joshua 1
Luke 1
Nathaniel 1
Peter 1
Pollatt 1
Thos. 1
Turner 1
Wilkinson 1
Wm. 1
Yates 1

FAQ

Crankshaw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crankshaw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 412 people were recorded with the Crankshaw surname. That placed it at #7,814 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crankshaw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 230 in 2016. That gives Crankshaw a modern rank of #17,812.

What does the Crankshaw surname mean?

A surname derived from a location name referring to a crooked or winding stream.

What does the Crankshaw map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Crankshaw 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.