UK surname
A variant spelling of "Croff", which refers to a person from a region near Crofthead, Scotland.
In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Croff surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #32,581 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Stockport, Lewisham and Rickmansworth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Croff is 104 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 25.0%.
1881 census count
8
Ranked #32,581
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
104 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Croff surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Croff surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 22 | #29,378 |
| 1861 | historical | 104 | #20,477 |
| 1881 | historical | 8 | #32,581 |
| 1891 | historical | 60 | #29,204 |
| 1901 | historical | 29 | #30,848 |
| 1911 | historical | 28 | #30,296 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 2 | #38,725 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 2 | #38,745 |
| 2012 | modern | 5 | #38,167 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Stockport, Lewisham, Rickmansworth, London parishes and Toxteth Park. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockport | Cheshire |
| 2 | Lewisham | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Rickmansworth | Hertfordshire |
| 4 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 5 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Croff surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Croff, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Croff surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Croff household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Croff is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Croff is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Croff, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Croff is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "croft," which referred to a small enclosed field or a farmstead. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals who resided or worked on such properties.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were a collection of administrative records from various counties in England. This document mentions a person named William de Croft, indicating the name's existence during that era.
In the 14th century, the surname appeared in the form of "Crofte" in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, a historical record from West Yorkshire. This variation in spelling highlights the fluidity of surnames during that period, as they were often adapted based on local dialects and pronunciation.
During the 16th century, the name Croff gained prominence with the birth of Sir James Croff (1518-1590), a prominent English diplomat and politician who served as the Ambassador to France under Queen Elizabeth I. His name is mentioned in several historical documents from that time, including diplomatic correspondence and court records.
Another notable figure with the surname Croff was John Croff (1640-1718), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "A Treatise on the Sacraments" and "The Doctrine of the Trinity Explained." His writings contributed to the theological discourse of his era.
In the 18th century, the name Croff appeared in the records of the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Bermondsey, London, where a family by the name of Croff resided. This parish record also included variations such as "Croffe" and "Crofte," further demonstrating the diverse spellings of the surname.
The 19th century saw the birth of Sarah Croff (1809-1892), a British writer and poet who published several works, including "Poems on Various Subjects" and "The Cottage Girl's Dream." Her literary contributions added to the cultural legacy associated with the Croff surname.
Throughout history, the surname Croff has been linked to various places in England, including villages and parishes that bear similar names, such as Croft, Crofthole, and Croftlands. These place names likely influenced the development and variations of the surname over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Croff surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Suffolk leads with 3 Croffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 31.58x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 3 | 31.58x |
| Kent | 2 | 7.52x |
| Devon | 1 | 6.16x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 18.59x |
| Surrey | 1 | 2.63x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lowestoft in Suffolk leads with 3 Croffs recorded in 1881 and an index of 666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lowestoft | 3 | 666.67x |
| Lewisham | 2 | 140.85x |
| Devonport | 1 | 526.32x |
| Hertford St Andrew | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 1 | 63.69x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Croff surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Croff surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Croff households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Armourer | 1 |
| Farmer Of 40 Acres Employing 10 Men & Boys | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| General Servant Dom | 1 |
| Labourer Miltia | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Croff surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Croff a modern rank of #37,599.
A variant spelling of "Croff", which refers to a person from a region near Crofthead, Scotland.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Croff bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.