NameCensus.

UK surname

Crayton

Derived from a place name meaning "town on the River Cray" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 77 people recorded with the Crayton surname, ranking it #22,617 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 237, ranked #17,418, up from #22,617 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Birstall and Long Benton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Stoke-on-Trent, Cornwall and Kelvingrove and University.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crayton is 256 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 207.8%.

1881 census count

77

Ranked #22,617

Modern count

237

2016, ranked #17,418

Peak year

2010

256 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crayton had 77 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,617 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016, ranked #17,418.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 113 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Crayton surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crayton surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crayton 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 61 #22,412
1861 historical 110 #19,562
1881 historical 77 #22,617
1891 historical 105 #23,241
1901 historical 109 #21,712
1911 historical 113 #21,168
1997 modern 202 #17,514
1998 modern 229 #16,657
1999 modern 228 #16,790
2000 modern 234 #16,470
2001 modern 228 #16,525
2002 modern 230 #16,730
2003 modern 228 #16,663
2004 modern 220 #17,129
2005 modern 230 #16,583
2006 modern 244 #16,011
2007 modern 244 #16,186
2008 modern 245 #16,295
2009 modern 249 #16,466
2010 modern 256 #16,523
2011 modern 253 #16,493
2012 modern 241 #16,925
2013 modern 239 #17,307
2014 modern 242 #17,285
2015 modern 236 #17,477
2016 modern 237 #17,418

Geography

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Where Craytons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Birstall, Long Benton, Liverpool and Bradford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Stoke-on-Trent, Cornwall, Kelvingrove and University, Kirklees and Isle of Wight. 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 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Birstall Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Long Benton Northumberland
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Stoke-on-Trent 017 Stoke-on-Trent
2 Cornwall 006 Cornwall
3 Kelvingrove and University Glasgow City
4 Kirklees 018 Kirklees
5 Isle of Wight 014 Isle of Wight

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crayton

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crayton

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Crayton 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

Crayton is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

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

Meaning and origin of Crayton

The surname Crayton has its roots in England, originating in the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "crawe" meaning crow and "tun" meaning an enclosure or settlement, suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a settlement associated with crows.

One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Crawetun." This record suggests that the name was already established in parts of England before the Norman Conquest.

The name underwent various spelling variations over the centuries, including Crauton, Craughton, and Crawton, before settling on the modern form of Crayton. These variations reflect the regional dialects and pronunciation differences across different areas of England.

In the 13th century, records show a Robert de Crayton serving as a knight in the court of King Edward I. This early reference indicates that the name had gained some prominence by that time.

During the 16th century, the Crayton family held lands in Northamptonshire, where they were considered among the county's notable gentry. Sir John Crayton (1520-1584) was a prominent figure in this lineage, serving as a member of Parliament and as a justice of the peace.

Another notable bearer of the name was William Crayton (1670-1738), a renowned English architect who designed several churches and country houses in the Baroque style. His works include St. Mary's Church in Warwick and Eastbury Manor House in London.

In the 18th century, the surname gained recognition beyond England's borders. Benjamin Crayton (1738-1814) was an American statesman who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later as the fourth Governor of South Carolina.

The 19th century saw the rise of Sir Reginald Crayton (1818-1892), a British military officer who served in the Crimean War and later became a respected writer and historian, publishing several influential works on military strategy and tactics.

While the surname Crayton has its origins in England, it has since spread across various parts of the world, carried by individuals and families who have contributed to various fields throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crayton families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crayton 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. Warwickshire leads with 13 Craytons recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.61x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 13 6.61x
Lancashire 11 1.19x
Yorkshire 10 1.29x
Northamptonshire 8 10.90x
Nottinghamshire 7 6.66x
Durham 5 2.15x
Huntingdonshire 5 32.28x
Middlesex 5 0.64x
Staffordshire 5 1.90x
Cheshire 3 1.74x
Isle of Man 3 20.70x
Kent 2 0.75x
Cambridgeshire 1 2.02x
Midlothian 1 0.96x
Surrey 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. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 13 Craytons recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.82x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 13 19.82x
Gomersal 9 249.31x
Peterborough 7 131.83x
Snenton 7 169.49x
Liverpool 5 8.89x
Thornley 5 595.24x
Wolstanton Oldcott 5 526.32x
Woodstone 5 2083.33x
St Pancras London 4 6.37x
Maughold 3 267.86x
Stockport 3 33.86x
Leaveland 2 6666.67x
Manchester 2 4.80x
North Meols 2 22.08x
Chorlton On Medlock 1 6.80x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 49.26x
Great Bolton 1 8.16x
Newington 1 3.47x
Paddington London 1 3.49x
Peterborough Minster Close 1 1428.57x
Preston 1 232.56x
West Wickham 1 833.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 9
Annie 3
Anne 2
Catherine 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Jane 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Abigail 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Bertha 1
Charlotte 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Julia 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Rebecca 1
Rose 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Crayton surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crayton surname in 1881?

In 1881, 77 people were recorded with the Crayton surname. That placed it at #22,617 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crayton surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016. That gives Crayton a modern rank of #17,418.

What does the Crayton surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "town on the River Cray" in Old English.

What does the Crayton map show?

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