NameCensus.

UK surname

Croly

A French surname derived from a placename, possibly relating to the village of Croly in northeastern France.

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Croly surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 184, ranked #20,731, up from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Braidfauld, Blackhill and Barmulloch East and Darnley East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Croly is 187 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 581.5%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

184

2016, ranked #20,731

Peak year

2014

187 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Croly had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 184 in 2016, ranked #20,731.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 80 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Routine Occupations or Retirement.

Croly surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Croly surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Croly 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 80 #19,558
1861 historical 35 #29,571
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 38 #31,330
1901 historical 54 #28,178
1911 historical 38 #29,147
1997 modern 158 #20,422
1998 modern 164 #20,505
1999 modern 164 #20,621
2000 modern 169 #20,199
2001 modern 159 #20,710
2002 modern 163 #20,767
2003 modern 161 #20,697
2004 modern 160 #20,926
2005 modern 156 #21,221
2006 modern 162 #20,886
2007 modern 156 #21,650
2008 modern 159 #21,598
2009 modern 175 #20,707
2010 modern 179 #20,886
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 176 #20,915
2013 modern 186 #20,502
2014 modern 187 #20,570
2015 modern 185 #20,641
2016 modern 184 #20,731

Geography

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Where Crolys 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 Braidfauld, Blackhill and Barmulloch East, Darnley East, Parkhead East and Braidfauld North and North Barlanark and Easterhouse South. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Braidfauld Glasgow City
2 Blackhill and Barmulloch East Glasgow City
3 Darnley East Glasgow City
4 Parkhead East and Braidfauld North Glasgow City
5 North Barlanark and Easterhouse South Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Croly

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Croly

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Routine Occupations or Retirement

Nationally, the Croly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Routine Occupations or Retirement, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Croly household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are characterised by high proportions of single, often never-married adults of normal retirement age or older, including many that are in the most advanced age groups. Most adults are UK born and live at high residential densities, and many of the children living with parents are in adulthood. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are uncommon, but above average proportions of households include individuals that identify with different ethnic groups. Long-term disability is relatively common, and the dominant accommodation type is flats. Unemployment rates are high, with most of those employed working in routine occupations. Few individuals have high level qualifications. Car ownership is not high.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Croly is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Croly 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

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

Meaning and origin of Croly

The surname Croly originated in Ireland, specifically in the province of Munster. It is believed to have derived from the Irish Gaelic word "crólach," which means "brave" or "valiant." This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who exhibited these qualities or was known for their courage.

The name can be traced back to the 12th century, where it appears in ancient Irish manuscripts and records. One of the earliest documented references to the Croly surname is found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of Irish history compiled in the 17th century. This work mentions several individuals with the name, including Donough Croly, who lived in the 13th century.

In the 16th century, the name Croly was prevalent in County Cork and County Kerry, particularly in the areas around Duhallow and Muskerry. During this time, the name was sometimes spelled as "Crohaly" or "Crohooly," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling that were common in those days.

One notable figure from Irish history bearing the Croly surname was Reverend George Croly (1780-1860), an Irish novelist, playwright, and Anglican priest. He is best known for his novel "Salathiel," which was published in 1819 and was a popular work of historical fiction during the 19th century.

Another prominent individual was David Croly (1829-1890), an American journalist and author who served as the managing editor of the New York World newspaper. He played a significant role in shaping American journalism and was known for his political commentary and advocacy for social reform.

In the 20th century, Herbert David Croly (1869-1930) was an American philosopher and author who founded the influential magazine "The New Republic" in 1914. He was a prominent intellectual and a leading figure in the Progressive Movement, advocating for political and social reforms.

Jane Cunningham Croly (1829-1901) was an American journalist, author, and women's rights activist. She was a pioneer in the field of journalism and was instrumental in founding the New York Woman's Press Club, which paved the way for greater opportunities for women in the media industry.

Finally, George Croly (1854-1920) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the third Bishop of Oakland from 1909 until his death in 1920. He was known for his efforts in expanding the Catholic Church's presence in the San Francisco Bay Area during his episcopacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Croly families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Croly 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. Lanarkshire leads with 9 Crolys recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.57x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 9 10.57x
Middlesex 7 2.66x
Ayrshire 4 20.30x
Kent 3 3.34x
Warwickshire 2 3.01x
Devon 1 1.83x
Surrey 1 0.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Old Monkland in Lanarkshire leads with 6 Crolys recorded in 1881 and an index of 177.51x.

Place Total Index
Old Monkland 6 177.51x
Loudoun 4 851.06x
Paddington London 3 30.99x
Woolwich 3 90.36x
Birmingham 2 9.04x
Govan 2 9.50x
Kensington London 2 13.67x
Bermondsey 1 12.76x
Glasgow 1 6.61x
St George Hanover Square 1 21.55x
St Marylebone London 1 7.12x
Tormoham 1 43.10x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Alice 1
Annie 1
Elizabeth 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Harriet 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 3
Thomas 2
Fredk.W. 1
Julian 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 Croly households.

FAQ

Croly surname: questions and answers

How common was the Croly surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Croly surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Croly surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 184 in 2016. That gives Croly a modern rank of #20,731.

What does the Croly surname mean?

A French surname derived from a placename, possibly relating to the village of Croly in northeastern France.

What does the Croly map show?

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