NameCensus.

UK surname

Croce

Derived from the Italian word for "cross," likely referring to someone who lived near a cross or crucifix.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Croce surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 106, ranked #29,927, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Middlesbrough, Sutton and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Croce is 106 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 5200.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

106

2016, ranked #29,927

Peak year

2015

106 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Croce had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016, ranked #29,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 17 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Croce surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Croce surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Croce 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 9 #31,675
1861 historical 17 #31,714
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 10 #33,355
1901 historical 4 #33,876
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 64 #31,233
1998 modern 65 #31,477
1999 modern 66 #31,509
2000 modern 75 #30,668
2001 modern 75 #30,481
2002 modern 74 #31,048
2003 modern 76 #30,883
2004 modern 79 #30,799
2005 modern 77 #31,156
2006 modern 76 #31,633
2007 modern 80 #31,527
2008 modern 84 #31,370
2009 modern 90 #31,094
2010 modern 99 #30,397
2011 modern 97 #30,552
2012 modern 96 #30,949
2013 modern 103 #30,235
2014 modern 103 #30,539
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 106 #29,927

Geography

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Where Croces are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Middlesbrough, Sutton, Newcastle upon Tyne and Cornwall. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Middlesbrough 006 Middlesbrough
2 Middlesbrough 001 Middlesbrough
3 Sutton 011 Sutton
4 Newcastle upon Tyne 019 Newcastle upon Tyne
5 Cornwall 023 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Croce

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Croce

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Croce surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Croce 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Croce 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

Croce is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Croce falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Croce is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Croce

The surname Croce is of Italian origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Italian word "croce," which means "cross." The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near a cross or crossroads, or for someone who was a bearer of the cross during religious processions.

The earliest known record of the name Croce appears in a document from the city of Genoa, Italy, dated 1276. This document mentions a certain "Nicolaus Croce," who was a merchant involved in trade with the Byzantine Empire.

In the 14th century, the name Croce can be found in various historical records from various regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria, and Naples. One notable example is the philosopher and writer Benedetto Croce, who was born in 1866 in Pescasseroli, Italy, and died in 1952. He was a highly influential figure in the fields of aesthetics, historiography, and literary criticism.

Another notable bearer of the name Croce was the Italian painter and architect Baldassare Croce, who lived from 1553 to 1628. He is best known for his work on the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome.

In the 16th century, the name Croce also appears in records from the city of Venice, where it was sometimes spelled as "Croxe" or "Crose." One example is the Venetian painter Jacopo Croce, who lived from 1535 to 1600.

The surname Croce has also been associated with various place names in Italy. For instance, there is a town called Crocetta del Montello in the province of Treviso, which may have derived its name from the Italian word "crocetta," meaning "little cross."

Over the centuries, the name Croce has been borne by several other notable individuals, including the Italian philosopher and politician Carlo Croce (1805-1873), the Italian artist Giulio Croce (1550-1609), and the Italian botanist and physician Bartolomeo Croce (1460-1525).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Croce families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Croce 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. Northumberland leads with 1 Croces recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.84x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 1 34.84x
Yorkshire 1 5.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Shields in Northumberland leads with 1 Croces recorded in 1881 and an index of 1666.67x.

Place Total Index
North Shields 1 1666.67x
York St Giles In 1 5000.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Alberto 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 Croce households.

FAQ

Croce surname: questions and answers

How common was the Croce surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Croce surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Croce surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 106 in 2016. That gives Croce a modern rank of #29,927.

What does the Croce surname mean?

Derived from the Italian word for "cross," likely referring to someone who lived near a cross or crucifix.

What does the Croce map show?

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