UK surname
A locational surname originating from a place called Cranleigh in Surrey, England.
In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Cranley surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 81, ranked #32,971, down from #23,220 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St George in the East, St Pancras and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cranley is 239 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11.0%.
1881 census count
73
Ranked #23,220
Modern count
81
2016, ranked #32,971
Peak year
1861
239 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cranley surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cranley surname density by area, 1891 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 | 57 | #23,092 |
| 1861 | historical | 239 | #10,273 |
| 1881 | historical | 73 | #23,220 |
| 1891 | historical | 182 | #15,983 |
| 1901 | historical | 37 | #30,009 |
| 1911 | historical | 39 | #29,025 |
| 1997 | modern | 72 | #30,415 |
| 1998 | modern | 86 | #29,343 |
| 1999 | modern | 96 | #28,326 |
| 2000 | modern | 95 | #28,441 |
| 2001 | modern | 92 | #28,528 |
| 2002 | modern | 93 | #28,920 |
| 2003 | modern | 95 | #28,536 |
| 2004 | modern | 87 | #29,897 |
| 2005 | modern | 82 | #30,617 |
| 2006 | modern | 76 | #31,633 |
| 2007 | modern | 75 | #32,079 |
| 2008 | modern | 79 | #31,957 |
| 2009 | modern | 82 | #32,048 |
| 2010 | modern | 88 | #31,875 |
| 2011 | modern | 84 | #32,237 |
| 2012 | modern | 89 | #31,934 |
| 2013 | modern | 94 | #31,656 |
| 2014 | modern | 91 | #32,219 |
| 2015 | modern | 84 | #32,782 |
| 2016 | modern | 81 | #32,971 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St George in the East, St Pancras, St Dunstan Stepney, St Giles-in-the-Fields and Lambeth. 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 | St George in the East | London (East Districts) |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | St Giles-in-the-Fields | London (Central Districts) |
| 5 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cranley 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 Cranley, 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 Cranley surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cranley 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, Cranley 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 Cranley is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cranley, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cranley is of English origin, deriving from the Old English words "cran" meaning "crane" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing". It was a locational name given to those who resided near a meadow or clearing where cranes were found.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Cranley dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appeared as "Cranalegh" in Surrey. This suggests that the name was already established in England by the 11th century.
During the 12th century, the name was found in various records as "Craneleghe" and "Cranelegh". A notable bearer of the name from this period was Reginald de Craneley, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1190.
In the 13th century, the name took on the spelling "Cranleye" and was associated with several places, including Cranley in Surrey and Cranley in Gloucestershire. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname was William de Cranleye, who was documented in the Feet of Fines for Oxfordshire in 1268.
By the 14th century, the spelling had evolved to its modern form, "Cranley". John Cranley, born in 1340, was a prominent figure during this time and served as the Archbishop of Dublin from 1397 to 1417.
In the 15th century, the name Cranley continued to be associated with various locations, such as Cranley in Northamptonshire and Cranley in Gloucestershire. Thomas Cranley, born in 1420, was a notable figure who served as the Warden of New College, Oxford, from 1453 to 1456.
During the 16th century, the surname Cranley was found in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1523, where it appeared as "Crawnley". One notable bearer of the name from this period was Richard Cranley, born in 1560, who was a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London.
In the 17th century, the name Cranley was connected with several places, such as Cranley in Surrey and Cranley in Gloucestershire. Sir William Cranley, born in 1620, was a notable figure who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1678.
The 18th century saw the continued presence of the name Cranley in various records, including the Parish Registers of Gloucestershire, where it appeared as "Crawnley" and "Crawneley". One notable bearer of the name from this period was Thomas Cranley, born in 1740, who was a respected scholar and author.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cranley 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 35 Cranleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.98x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 35 | 4.98x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 4.17x |
| Huntingdonshire | 6 | 43.04x |
| Kent | 5 | 2.09x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.46x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.72x |
| Monmouthshire | 3 | 5.91x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.24x |
| Anglesey | 1 | 8.03x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.65x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.82x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.44x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.42x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Giles In Fields London in Middlesex leads with 8 Cranleys recorded in 1881 and an index of 231.88x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Giles In Fields London | 8 | 231.88x |
| St Marylebone London | 8 | 21.33x |
| Portsea | 6 | 21.27x |
| Wistow | 6 | 6666.67x |
| Bethnal Green London | 5 | 16.39x |
| Deptford St Paul | 4 | 21.65x |
| Lambeth | 4 | 6.53x |
| Leeds | 4 | 10.18x |
| Newport | 3 | 123.97x |
| Hammersmith London | 2 | 11.56x |
| Islington London | 2 | 2.94x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 5.12x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 2 | 20.14x |
| St George Hanover Square | 2 | 16.17x |
| St George In East London | 2 | 30.26x |
| St Mary Le Strand London | 2 | 769.23x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 2.23x |
| Cambusnethan | 1 | 19.84x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 2.54x |
| Holyhead | 1 | 43.10x |
| Llantrisant | 1 | 32.47x |
| Milton In Gravesend | 1 | 27.86x |
| Poulton Cum Spital | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Shadwell London | 1 | 50.76x |
| West Bromwich | 1 | 7.37x |
| West Heslerton | 1 | 1250.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cranley 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 Cranley 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 Cranley households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 13 |
| Dock Labourer | 2 |
| (I) Foreman | 1 |
| (No Occ) | 1 |
| (Usher) | 1 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Butcr | 1 |
| Caretaker | 1 |
| Carman | 1 |
| Cbt Mkr | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Domest Serv | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| Fruit Seller (Hawker) | 1 |
| Gen Lab | 1 |
| Kitchenmaid | 1 |
| Lab | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Master | 1 |
| Messenger | 1 |
| Navvy (Lab On Railway) | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Pavior | 1 |
| Plumbers Lab | 1 |
| Potter | 1 |
| Sailor | 1 |
| Soldier 52nd Lt Infantry | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Cranley surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 81 in 2016. That gives Cranley a modern rank of #32,971.
A locational surname originating from a place called Cranleigh in Surrey, England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cranley 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.