NameCensus.

UK surname

Cranmer

An English occupational surname referring to a crane operator or marshman.

In the 1881 census there were 514 people recorded with the Cranmer surname, ranking it #6,635 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 724, ranked #7,505, down from #6,635 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Bonhill and East Dereham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tendring, North Lincolnshire and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cranmer is 849 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.9%.

1881 census count

514

Ranked #6,635

Modern count

724

2016, ranked #7,505

Peak year

1999

849 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cranmer had 514 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,635 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 724 in 2016, ranked #7,505.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 680 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Cranmer surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cranmer surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cranmer 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 338 #6,943
1861 historical 247 #9,977
1881 historical 514 #6,635
1891 historical 434 #8,290
1901 historical 680 #6,417
1911 historical 655 #6,408
1997 modern 826 #6,380
1998 modern 848 #6,452
1999 modern 849 #6,493
2000 modern 830 #6,581
2001 modern 795 #6,674
2002 modern 777 #6,940
2003 modern 761 #6,927
2004 modern 763 #6,935
2005 modern 747 #6,986
2006 modern 748 #6,996
2007 modern 747 #7,075
2008 modern 743 #7,152
2009 modern 741 #7,319
2010 modern 767 #7,267
2011 modern 759 #7,232
2012 modern 745 #7,267
2013 modern 762 #7,246
2014 modern 750 #7,378
2015 modern 727 #7,510
2016 modern 724 #7,505

Geography

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Where Cranmers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Bonhill, East Dereham and Bishop Wearmouth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tendring, North Lincolnshire, Breckland, Doncaster and Stratford-on-Avon. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Bonhill Dunbarton
3 East Dereham Norfolk
4 Bishop Wearmouth Durham
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tendring 006 Tendring
2 North Lincolnshire 011 North Lincolnshire
3 Breckland 003 Breckland
4 Doncaster 015 Doncaster
5 Stratford-on-Avon 015 Stratford-on-Avon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cranmer

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cranmer

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Cranmer, 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 Cranmer surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Cranmer 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, Cranmer 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

Cranmer is most concentrated in decile 5 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.

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Cranmer 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 Cranmer 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 Cranmer, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Cranmer

The surname Cranmer is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English words "cran" meaning crane and "mere" meaning a pool or small lake, suggesting that the name may have originally referred to a person who lived near a body of water frequented by cranes.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Cranmer can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where it is listed as "de Cranmere." This indicates that the name was likely initially a locational surname, referring to a specific place or geographical feature.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various medieval records and manuscripts, such as the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, where a certain Thomas de Cranmere is mentioned in 1317.

One of the most notable individuals bearing the Cranmer surname was Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI. He played a crucial role in the English Reformation and was a key figure in the establishment of the Church of England.

Another historically significant Cranmer was Thomas Cranmer (1637-1701), an English clergyman and author who served as the Archdeacon of Middlesex and wrote several religious works, including a commentary on the Book of Revelation.

In the 17th century, a prominent member of the Cranmer family was Ralph Cranmer (1621-1683), who was a lawyer and held the position of Chief Prothonotary of the Court of King's Bench.

Moving forward to the 18th century, John Cranmer (1696-1754) was an English politician and Member of Parliament for Bramber, representing the Whig party.

Additionally, the name Cranmer has been associated with various place names in England, such as Cranmer Hall in Norfolk and Cranmer Green in Middlesex, further reinforcing its geographical origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cranmer families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cranmer 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. Essex leads with 122 Cranmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.30x.

County Total Index
Essex 122 12.30x
Norfolk 63 8.16x
Warwickshire 63 4.97x
Middlesex 53 1.05x
Surrey 38 1.55x
Lancashire 32 0.54x
Durham 28 1.87x
Dunbartonshire 25 18.52x
Suffolk 20 3.27x
Yorkshire 20 0.40x
Perthshire 12 5.32x
Angus 10 2.15x
Gloucestershire 8 0.81x
Lanarkshire 6 0.37x
Berkshire 3 0.80x
Huntingdonshire 3 3.01x
Worcestershire 3 0.46x
Northamptonshire 2 0.42x
Channel Islands 1 0.67x
Kent 1 0.06x
Midlothian 1 0.15x
Renfrewshire 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. East Dereham in Norfolk leads with 38 Cranmers recorded in 1881 and an index of 389.34x.

Place Total Index
East Dereham 38 389.34x
Kelvedon 35 1325.76x
Old Stratford 20 278.94x
Bonhill 17 78.45x
West Ham 15 6.85x
East Donyland 14 585.77x
Lambeth 14 3.20x
Sunderland 14 53.05x
Rivenhall 13 1092.44x
Feering 11 839.69x
West Derby 11 6.31x
Dundee 10 5.76x
Esh 9 82.72x
Islington London 9 1.85x
St Marylebone London 9 3.36x
Stratford On Avon 9 128.02x
Cheltenham 8 10.52x
Denton 8 60.56x
Fakenham 8 210.53x
New Kilpatrick 8 62.31x
Perth East Church 8 37.63x
Poplar London 8 8.44x
Wheatley 8 467.84x
Mile End Old Town London 7 6.55x
Packwood 7 1400.00x
Rotherhithe 7 11.28x
Woodbridge 7 89.51x
Aston 6 1.72x
Rawmarsh 6 34.11x
Wimbledon 6 21.83x
Balsall 5 252.53x
Bermondsey 5 3.34x
Bishopwearmouth 5 3.90x
Great Yarmouth 5 7.81x
Marks Tey 5 704.23x
Messing 5 403.23x
Sheldon 5 724.64x
Birmingham 4 0.95x
Boreham 4 233.92x
Govan 4 1.00x
Hempton 4 408.16x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 4 17.25x
Maldon All Sts 4 203.05x
Polstead 4 279.72x
Prittlewell 4 29.11x
Southwark Christchurch 4 16.99x
Staines 4 50.31x
Stoke Newington London 4 10.22x
Tanworth 4 119.40x
Tibbermore 4 123.84x
Tonge 4 31.97x
Great Gransden 3 275.23x
Reading St Giles 3 8.11x
St George In East London 3 6.35x
Washbrook 3 500.00x
Witham 3 58.71x
Barony 2 0.49x
Bocking 2 33.56x
Colchester St Giles 2 20.41x
Gorton 2 3.57x
Harpurhey 2 24.18x
Ipswich St Clement 2 12.86x
Kettering 2 10.47x
Richmond 2 5.83x
Ryston 2 3333.33x
Springfield 2 45.98x
St Martin In Fields 2 6.65x
Tottenham 2 2.50x
Toxteth Park 2 0.99x
Wilby 2 246.91x
Yeadon 2 17.79x
Cressing 1 107.53x
Edinburgh Canongate 1 5.84x
Everton 1 0.53x
Hackney London 1 0.36x
Lapworth 1 84.03x
Layton With Warbreck 1 4.57x
Mildenhall 1 15.38x
Paddington London 1 0.54x
Rettendon 1 80.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Sarah 19
Elizabeth 14
Eliza 13
Harriet 8
Jane 8
Emily 7
Alice 6
Ellen 6
Fanny 6
Florence 6
Hannah 5
Maria 5
Ann 4
Edith 4
Annie 3
Caroline 3
Clara 3
Esther 3
Isabella 3
Jemima 3
Laura 3
Lucy 3
Martha 3
Susan 3
Amy 2
Beatrice 2
Elizth. 2
Emma 2
Ethel 2
Gertrude 2
Allas 1
Amelia 1
Bessie 1
Betsy 1
Cary 1
Dianna 1
Dinah 1
Dora 1
E. 1
Eleanor 1
Elna 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Harriette 1
Hephzibah 1
Hetty 1
Infant 1
William 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 40
George 24
Charles 17
John 14
James 13
Alfred 12
Arthur 10
Robert 10
Henry 9
Thomas 9
Samuel 7
Walter 7
Frederick 5
Albert 4
Herbert 4
Joseph 4
Alexander 3
Edward 3
Abraham 2
Chas. 2
Ernest 2
Fredk. 2
Fredrick 2
J. 2
Job 2
Richard 2
Benjn. 1
Charls 1
Cornelius 1
David 1
Edmund 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Elijah 1
Emanuel 1
F. 1
Francis 1
G. 1
Geo. 1
Harry 1
Headley 1
Jas. 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Robt. 1
Septimus 1
Thos. 1
Thos.Henry 1
Thosmas 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Cranmer surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cranmer surname in 1881?

In 1881, 514 people were recorded with the Cranmer surname. That placed it at #6,635 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cranmer surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 724 in 2016. That gives Cranmer a modern rank of #7,505.

What does the Cranmer surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to a crane operator or marshman.

What does the Cranmer map show?

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