NameCensus.

UK surname

Craw

A surname potentially derived from the Old English word "crawe" meaning crow.

In the 1881 census there were 201 people recorded with the Craw surname, ranking it #12,791 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 317, ranked #14,198, down from #12,791 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Hamilton, Govan Combination and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merryton and Meadowhill, Tullibody South and Strutherhill.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Craw is 400 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.7%.

1881 census count

201

Ranked #12,791

Modern count

317

2016, ranked #14,198

Peak year

1861

400 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Craw had 201 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,791 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 317 in 2016, ranked #14,198.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 400 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Craw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Craw surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Craw 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 387 #6,204
1861 historical 400 #6,412
1881 historical 201 #12,791
1891 historical 383 #9,178
1901 historical 373 #9,948
1911 historical 90 #23,797
1997 modern 312 #13,182
1998 modern 318 #13,362
1999 modern 337 #12,942
2000 modern 330 #13,066
2001 modern 311 #13,423
2002 modern 324 #13,305
2003 modern 324 #13,135
2004 modern 326 #13,122
2005 modern 314 #13,403
2006 modern 307 #13,695
2007 modern 309 #13,760
2008 modern 318 #13,604
2009 modern 323 #13,720
2010 modern 340 #13,498
2011 modern 339 #13,404
2012 modern 327 #13,654
2013 modern 334 #13,648
2014 modern 325 #14,030
2015 modern 321 #14,062
2016 modern 317 #14,198

Geography

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Where Craws are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Hamilton, Govan Combination, London parishes, Edinburgh and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Merryton and Meadowhill, Tullibody South, Strutherhill, Hareleeshill and Larkhall Central, Raploch, Millheugh and Burnhead. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Hamilton Lanark
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Merryton and Meadowhill South Lanarkshire
2 Tullibody South Clackmannanshire
3 Strutherhill South Lanarkshire
4 Hareleeshill South Lanarkshire
5 Larkhall Central, Raploch, Millheugh and Burnhead South Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Craw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Craw

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Craw surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Craw household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Craw is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Craw 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

Craw 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 Craw is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Craw

The surname CRAW is believed to have originated in Scotland, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "craw," meaning "crow" or "raven," and was likely a nickname given to someone who resembled or had characteristics similar to these birds.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname CRAW can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document that contains the names of Scottish landowners and nobles who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. The entry "Johannes le Crau" suggests that the name was already in use during this period.

In the 14th century, the surname CRAW appeared in the records of the parish of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. The earliest known bearer of the name was John Craw, who was listed as a witness in a land transaction in 1349.

The CRAW surname was also prevalent in the Scottish Borders region, particularly in the counties of Roxburghshire and Berwickshire. Several notable individuals from this area bore the name, including Sir William Craw (c. 1480-1560), a Scottish nobleman who served as a diplomat and ambassador to England during the reigns of James IV and James V.

Another notable bearer of the CRAW surname was Paul Craw (c. 1580-1647), a Scottish Reformer and minister who played a significant role in the Presbyterian movement in Scotland during the 17th century.

In the 18th century, the CRAW name was associated with the town of Crawhill, located in the parish of Borthwick in Midlothian, Scotland. This place name likely derived from the surname, suggesting that the Craw family had established a significant presence in the area.

Other notable individuals with the surname CRAW include:

1. James Craw (1784-1857), a Scottish inventor and engineer known for his contributions to early steam engine technology. 2. Robert Craw (1801-1876), a Scottish-born Australian settler and explorer who played a pivotal role in the colonization of Western Australia. 3. George Craw (1836-1912), a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. 4. William Craw (1854-1924), a Scottish-born Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly. 5. Edith Craw (1887-1966), a Scottish artist and painter known for her landscape and still-life works.

While the surname CRAW has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and immigration patterns over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Craw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Craw 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. Midlothian leads with 51 Craws recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.91x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 51 19.91x
Lanarkshire 38 6.15x
Berwickshire 21 90.71x
Renfrewshire 14 9.45x
Cumberland 10 6.08x
Roxburghshire 10 28.88x
Surrey 8 0.86x
Shropshire 7 4.24x
Fife 5 4.42x
Lancashire 5 0.22x
Angus 4 2.26x
Yorkshire 4 0.21x
Ayrshire 3 2.10x
Aberdeenshire 2 1.13x
Selkirkshire 2 11.56x
Sussex 2 0.62x
Argyllshire 1 1.88x
Inverness-shire 1 1.75x
Kincardineshire 1 4.30x
Lincolnshire 1 0.33x
Middlesex 1 0.05x
Norfolk 1 0.34x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.39x
Perthshire 1 1.17x
Warwickshire 1 0.21x
Wigtownshire 1 3.94x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Edinburgh St Cuthberts in Midlothian leads with 37 Craws recorded in 1881 and an index of 35.91x.

Place Total Index
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 37 35.91x
Dalserf 25 405.19x
Paisley Middle Church 13 150.64x
Edinburgh Canongate 8 122.70x
Lauder 7 546.88x
Whitton 7 11666.67x
Bewcastle 6 1034.48x
Govan 6 3.92x
Lambeth 6 3.60x
Wilton 6 157.89x
Foulden 5 1923.08x
Hamilton 5 29.00x
Falkland 4 224.72x
Irton With Santon 4 975.61x
Jedburgh 4 117.99x
Ayr 3 44.44x
Ayton 3 223.88x
Carmunnock 2 425.53x
Dunnichen 2 215.05x
Gordon 2 363.64x
Inveresk 2 28.86x
Leeds 2 1.87x
Liverpool 2 1.45x
Melrose 2 45.98x
South Leith 2 6.94x
Southwick 2 117.65x
Whitsome 2 540.54x
Camberwell 1 0.82x
Cathcart 1 12.47x
Clapham 1 4.18x
Dull 1 58.14x
Dunchurch 1 151.52x
Dundee 1 1.51x
Dunfermline 1 5.75x
Dunoon Kilmun 1 24.10x
Earlston 1 86.21x
Edinburgh New North 1 44.84x
Edinburgh Trinity 1 121.95x
Fettercairn 1 101.01x
Forfar 1 10.43x
Fyvie 1 34.60x
Great Grimsby 1 5.15x
Holt 1 100.00x
Hutton 1 158.73x
Kilmonivaig 1 78.74x
Kirkcowan 1 117.65x
Kirkdale 1 2.62x
Moss Side 1 8.38x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.50x
Paddington London 1 1.42x
Peterhead 1 10.68x
Sheffield 1 1.66x
Whiston 1 56.50x
York St Margaret 1 85.47x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
Annie 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Elizth. 1
Emmalina 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Lydia 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Sarah 1
Selina 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
James 4
Thomas 2
Alexander 1
Daniel 1
Fred. 1
George 1
Henry 1
John 1
Richard 1

Top occupations

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 Craw households.

FAQ

Craw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Craw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 201 people were recorded with the Craw surname. That placed it at #12,791 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Craw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 317 in 2016. That gives Craw a modern rank of #14,198.

What does the Craw surname mean?

A surname potentially derived from the Old English word "crawe" meaning crow.

What does the Craw map show?

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