NameCensus.

UK surname

Crockford

An English locational surname derived from the parish of Crockford in Shropshire.

In the 1881 census there were 1,014 people recorded with the Crockford surname, ranking it #3,862 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,466, ranked #4,201, down from #3,862 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and East Meon (incl. Westbury & Peak). In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Pembrokeshire, Portsmouth and West Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crockford is 1,572 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 44.6%.

1881 census count

1,014

Ranked #3,862

Modern count

1,466

2016, ranked #4,201

Peak year

1999

1,572 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crockford had 1,014 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,862 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,466 in 2016, ranked #4,201.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,395 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Crockford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crockford surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Crockford 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 698 #3,738
1861 historical 654 #4,101
1881 historical 1,014 #3,862
1891 historical 1,141 #3,731
1901 historical 1,255 #3,947
1911 historical 1,395 #3,463
1997 modern 1,500 #3,908
1998 modern 1,565 #3,903
1999 modern 1,572 #3,921
2000 modern 1,566 #3,918
2001 modern 1,538 #3,903
2002 modern 1,561 #3,947
2003 modern 1,514 #3,969
2004 modern 1,517 #3,957
2005 modern 1,481 #4,003
2006 modern 1,472 #4,031
2007 modern 1,473 #4,063
2008 modern 1,478 #4,084
2009 modern 1,485 #4,149
2010 modern 1,524 #4,144
2011 modern 1,517 #4,121
2012 modern 1,476 #4,144
2013 modern 1,513 #4,132
2014 modern 1,508 #4,160
2015 modern 1,482 #4,178
2016 modern 1,466 #4,201

Geography

Back to top

Where Crockfords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, East Meon (incl. Westbury & Peak) and Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Pembrokeshire, Portsmouth, West Devon, Winchester 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 London parishes London 1
2 Walthamstow, Low Leyton Essex
3 East Meon (incl. Westbury & Peak) Hampshire
4 London parishes London 3
5 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Pembrokeshire 016 Pembrokeshire
2 Portsmouth 001 Portsmouth
3 West Devon 004 West Devon
4 Winchester 004 Winchester
5 Cornwall 005 Cornwall

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Crockford

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Crockford

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Crockford is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Crockford 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

Crockford falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Crockford 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 Crockford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Crockford

The surname Crockford is of English origin, with its roots dating back to the medieval era. It is believed to have originated as a locational name, derived from a place called Crockford or Crockforth, possibly situated in Oxfordshire or Staffordshire.

The name itself is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "crocc" and "ford," meaning "crooked ford" or "winding river crossing." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname may have lived near a meandering river or a ford with a winding path.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, a census-like record from 1273. In this document, a man named Richard de Crockeford is mentioned, indicating the presence of the name in that region during the 13th century.

In the 14th century, the name appeared in various forms, such as Crokeford and Crokford, reflecting the variations in spelling that were common in those times. The Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire from 1327 mention a John de Crokeford, further establishing the name's presence in different parts of England.

One notable bearer of the Crockford surname was Sir Walter Crockford (c. 1375-1443), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire during the reign of King Henry VI. He was known for his involvement in local affairs and his ownership of substantial estates in the county.

Another individual of note was John Crockford (1806-1857), an English entrepreneur and businessman who founded Crockford's Club, one of the most prestigious gentlemen's clubs in London during the 19th century. The club was renowned for its opulent decor and hosted many influential members of high society.

In the realm of literature, William Crockford (1776-1844), an English writer and poet, made a name for himself with his works, including "The Candid Man" and "The Friendly Monitor." He was also known for his involvement in literary circles and his associations with notable figures of the time.

Across the Atlantic, Cyrus Crockford (1829-1908) was a Canadian farmer and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century, representing the district of King's County.

The Crockford surname has also been associated with various place names, such as Crockford Hill in Hampshire, Crockford Bridge in Oxfordshire, and Crockford Lane in Gloucestershire, further reinforcing its locational origins.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Crockford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crockford 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. Hampshire leads with 197 Crockfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.69x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 197 9.69x
Middlesex 148 1.49x
Kent 123 3.63x
Surrey 116 2.40x
Berkshire 66 8.86x
Somerset 49 3.07x
Warwickshire 43 1.72x
Sussex 42 2.51x
Essex 39 1.99x
Suffolk 27 2.23x
Glamorgan 24 1.39x
Yorkshire 22 0.22x
Devon 19 0.92x
Norfolk 17 1.11x
Gloucestershire 16 0.82x
Lincolnshire 12 0.76x
Staffordshire 12 0.36x
Worcestershire 9 0.69x
Cheshire 7 0.32x
Lancashire 7 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 3 0.50x
Northamptonshire 3 0.32x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.15x
Oxfordshire 2 0.33x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.63x
Royal Navy 2 1.69x
Shropshire 2 0.23x
Bedfordshire 1 0.19x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.16x
Cornwall 1 0.09x
Derbyshire 1 0.06x
Dorset 1 0.15x
Wiltshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cutcombe in Somerset leads with 30 Crockfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 1562.50x.

Place Total Index
Cutcombe 30 1562.50x
East Meon 25 470.81x
Bray 23 105.12x
Portsea 22 5.52x
Warnford 21 1603.05x
Lambeth 20 2.31x
Titchfield 20 130.46x
Walthamstow 20 28.37x
Roath 19 24.22x
St Pancras London 18 2.25x
Lewisham 17 9.42x
Ewell 16 156.86x
Waltham St Lawrence 16 549.83x
Hammersmith London 15 6.14x
Bromley 14 27.14x
Denver 13 457.75x
Islington London 13 1.35x
Newington 13 3.55x
West Ham 13 3.01x
Coventry Holy Trinity 11 14.73x
South Molton 11 96.92x
Bethnal Green London 10 2.32x
Birmingham 10 1.20x
Canterbury St Mary 10 44.01x
Catherington 10 222.72x
Cheriton 10 480.77x
Hempstead 10 420.17x
Horncastle 10 61.09x
Mile End Old Town London 10 4.74x
South Elmham St James 10 1265.82x
Fulham London 9 6.26x
Kensington London 9 1.63x
New Alresford 9 170.78x
Plumstead 9 7.98x
Poplar London 9 4.81x
St Mary Extra 9 55.01x
St Marylebone London 9 1.70x
Bradfield 8 203.05x
Broadwater 8 20.85x
Byfleet 8 186.05x
Hanwell 8 45.48x
Minehead 8 132.67x
Odiham 8 89.69x
Sutton Coldfield 8 30.42x
Twyford 8 164.61x
Wargrave 8 125.00x
Battersea 7 1.92x
Chatham 7 7.52x
Harting 7 160.92x
New Shoreham 7 69.86x
Nuthurst 7 252.71x
Richmond 7 10.33x
South Elmham St Cross 7 958.90x
Broughton In Salford 6 5.57x
Burton Upon Trent 6 7.66x
Chartham 6 71.09x
Deptford St Paul 6 2.30x
Farlington 6 144.58x
Kings Norton 6 5.16x
Leatherhead 6 49.55x
Minster In Sheppey 6 10.70x
St George In East London 6 6.43x
Stayley 6 23.97x
Warblington 6 74.35x
Whitchurch 6 93.02x
Winslade 6 1578.95x
Witley 6 176.47x
Alverstoke 5 6.79x
Botesdale 5 267.38x
Gomersal 5 10.90x
Halifax 5 3.46x
Hayes 5 211.86x
Huxham 5 1111.11x
Priors Dean 5 892.86x
St Thomas Winchester 5 34.82x
West Bromwich 5 2.61x
Aston 4 0.58x
Gillingham 4 5.73x
Streatham 4 5.43x
Tonbridge 4 3.28x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 80
Henry 47
John 40
George 38
Charles 30
James 24
Thomas 20
Alfred 13
Frederick 10
Richard 9
Robert 7
Albert 6
Edward 6
Harry 6
Arthur 5
Edwin 5
Joseph 5
Samuel 5
Walter 5
Abraham 4
Benjamin 4
Edmund 4
Ernest 4
Fredrick 4
David 3
Joshua 3
Robt. 3
Thos. 3
Wm. 3
C. 2
Charley 2
Daniel 2
Edgar 2
Frank 2
Fredk. 2
Geo. 2
Herbert 2
Horace 2
Jas. 2
Michael 2
Percy 2
Stephen 2
Tom 2
Allen 1
Charlie 1
F.G. 1
Felix 1
Francis 1
Jonathan 1
Wm.John 1

FAQ

Crockford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crockford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,014 people were recorded with the Crockford surname. That placed it at #3,862 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crockford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,466 in 2016. That gives Crockford a modern rank of #4,201.

What does the Crockford surname mean?

An English locational surname derived from the parish of Crockford in Shropshire.

What does the Crockford map show?

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