NameCensus.

UK surname

Crookes

A surname derived from the Old Norse word "krokr," meaning a bend or curve, likely referring to someone who lived near a crooked stream or road.

In the 1881 census there were 1,307 people recorded with the Crookes surname, ranking it #3,132 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,056, ranked #3,144, down from #3,132 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ecclesfield, Sheffield and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Sheffield and Rotherham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crookes is 2,099 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 57.3%.

1881 census count

1,307

Ranked #3,132

Modern count

2,056

2016, ranked #3,144

Peak year

2014

2,099 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crookes had 1,307 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,132 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,056 in 2016, ranked #3,144.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,777 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Crookes surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crookes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crookes 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 618 #4,180
1861 historical 654 #4,101
1881 historical 1,307 #3,132
1891 historical 1,295 #3,339
1901 historical 1,544 #3,336
1911 historical 1,777 #2,754
1997 modern 2,031 #3,020
1998 modern 2,062 #3,084
1999 modern 2,064 #3,106
2000 modern 2,030 #3,130
2001 modern 1,989 #3,124
2002 modern 1,998 #3,176
2003 modern 1,938 #3,194
2004 modern 1,957 #3,170
2005 modern 1,957 #3,150
2006 modern 1,924 #3,197
2007 modern 1,918 #3,226
2008 modern 1,931 #3,228
2009 modern 1,997 #3,214
2010 modern 2,075 #3,178
2011 modern 2,055 #3,166
2012 modern 2,007 #3,189
2013 modern 2,067 #3,157
2014 modern 2,099 #3,132
2015 modern 2,065 #3,147
2016 modern 2,056 #3,144

Geography

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Where Crookes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ecclesfield, Sheffield, London parishes, Ecclesfield (Ecclesfield), Rotherham (Dalton), Conisborough and Dronfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Sheffield and Rotherham. 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 Ecclesfield Yorkshire, West Riding
2 Sheffield Yorkshire, West Riding
3 London parishes London 2
4 Ecclesfield (Ecclesfield), Rotherham (Dalton), Conisborough Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Dronfield Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Sheffield 021 Sheffield
2 Rotherham 030 Rotherham
3 Sheffield 010 Sheffield
4 Sheffield 024 Sheffield
5 Sheffield 025 Sheffield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crookes

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crookes

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

Nationally, the Crookes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Crookes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Crookes 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

Crookes is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Crookes 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 Crookes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Crookes

The surname Crookes is of English origin, originating in the county of Staffordshire. It is derived from the Old English word "croc," meaning a nook, bend, or winding, typically referring to a bend or curve in a river or road. The name likely originated as a descriptive term for someone who lived near such a geographical feature.

The earliest known records of the name Crookes date back to the late 12th century. In the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire from 1199, a certain William de Croc is mentioned, indicating the name's early presence in the region. Other early records include the Curia Regis Rolls of 1220, which mention a Richard de Crokes.

The Crookes surname can also be traced back to various place names in Staffordshire, such as Crook's Green and Crook's Marsh. These place names likely derived from the same Old English root word as the surname, further solidifying its connection to the region.

One notable historical figure bearing the Crookes surname was William Crookes (1832-1919), a chemist and physicist who conducted pioneering work in the field of vacuum tubes and cathode rays. He is also credited with discovering the element thallium and inventing the Crookes radiometer.

Another prominent individual was Sir John Crookes (1564-1610), an English merchant and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1599. He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers and played a significant role in the city's governance during his time.

In the literary realm, Frances Crookes (1845-1940) was a notable English novelist and playwright. Her works included the play "The Pupil of Dalou" and the novel "The Story of Two Lives."

The Crookes surname also has connections to the field of astronomy. Andrew Crooke (1703-1784) was an English astronomer and mathematician who contributed to the advancement of astronomical calculations and observations during his time.

Lastly, William Crookes (1805-1859), a British engineer and inventor, is credited with developing an early form of the safety valve for steam engines, which greatly improved their safety and efficiency.

These examples illustrate the diverse array of individuals who have carried the Crookes surname throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence across various fields and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crookes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crookes 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. Yorkshire leads with 868 Crookes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.87x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 868 6.87x
Derbyshire 132 6.61x
Lancashire 81 0.54x
Middlesex 50 0.39x
Nottinghamshire 32 1.86x
Durham 26 0.69x
Staffordshire 21 0.49x
Surrey 16 0.26x
Kent 14 0.32x
Warwickshire 11 0.34x
Leicestershire 10 0.71x
Cheshire 9 0.32x
Shropshire 6 0.54x
Lincolnshire 5 0.25x
Essex 4 0.16x
Lanarkshire 4 0.10x
Angus 3 0.25x
Cambridgeshire 3 0.37x
Flintshire 3 0.88x
Hampshire 3 0.11x
Sussex 2 0.09x
Berkshire 1 0.10x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.13x
Gloucestershire 1 0.04x
Norfolk 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Sheffield in Yorkshire leads with 178 Crookes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 44.25x.

Place Total Index
Sheffield 178 44.25x
Nether Hallam 164 95.95x
Ecclesall Bierlow 154 59.93x
Ecclesfield 108 116.59x
Brightside Bierlow 52 20.99x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 37 31.44x
Bradfield 24 49.28x
Salford 19 4.27x
Dronfield 17 66.46x
Scarborough 15 13.07x
Beighton 13 143.81x
Holmesfield 13 604.65x
Pleasley 13 258.45x
Nottingham St Mary 12 2.70x
Kimberworth 11 15.69x
Norton 11 66.87x
Kensington London 10 1.41x
Warrington 10 5.58x
Birmingham 9 0.84x
Tottenham 9 4.43x
Ackworth 8 82.39x
Bishopwearmouth 8 2.46x
Brampton 8 28.67x
Conisbrough 8 67.51x
Heeley 8 20.84x
Hoyland Nether 8 25.81x
Newton 8 6.86x
Rotherham 8 11.23x
Holloway 7 284.55x
Pelsall 7 54.69x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 7 11.93x
Brandon Byshottles 6 12.63x
Croydon 6 1.74x
Ealing 6 5.27x
Eckington 6 12.37x
Habergham Eaves 6 4.34x
Handsworth 6 17.96x
Holbrook 6 133.63x
Holy Trinity 6 1.97x
Hulme 6 1.90x
Leeds 6 0.84x
Mountsorrel North End 6 220.59x
Richmond 6 6.89x
Staveley 6 16.93x
Tankersley 6 63.69x
Totley 6 204.78x
Wakefield 6 6.19x
Wolstanton 6 4.59x
Wortley In Wortley 6 120.72x
Billingham 5 76.57x
Burton Upon Trent 5 4.97x
Folkestone 5 5.93x
Hipperholme Cum 5 9.01x
Mile End Old Town London 5 1.84x
Moss Side 5 6.28x
Plumstead 5 3.45x
Rawmarsh 5 11.20x
Rossington 5 324.68x
Upper Hallam 5 45.54x
Whitwood 5 27.86x
Camberwell 4 0.49x
Chorlton On Medlock 4 1.66x
Denby 4 65.68x
Droylsden 4 8.11x
Dukinfield 4 3.08x
Fairfield 4 29.96x
Finningley 4 243.90x
Ilkeston 4 7.15x
Misterton 4 75.19x
Penshaw 4 35.12x
St Pancras London 4 0.39x
Gillingham 3 3.35x
Holywell 3 6.97x
Madeley 3 7.43x
Monks Coppenhall 3 2.82x
Shifnal 3 10.03x
St Marylebone London 3 0.44x
Tanfield 3 6.65x
West Derby 3 0.68x
Wingerworth 3 167.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 111
Sarah 59
Elizabeth 49
Annie 29
Ann 25
Ellen 24
Hannah 24
Jane 20
Emma 19
Eliza 15
Emily 15
Florence 15
Alice 14
Clara 12
Martha 12
Ada 10
Fanny 9
Frances 9
Edith 8
Harriet 8
Maria 6
Bertha 5
Charlotte 5
Elizth. 5
Esther 5
Beatrice 4
Caroline 4
Eleanor 4
Lydia 4
Rose 4
Agnes 3
Amelia 3
Anne 3
Lilly 3
Lucy 3
May 3
Rachel 3
Annis 2
Elizbth. 2
Ethel 2
Eva 2
Helen 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Lillian 2
Margaret 2
Matilda 2
Millicent 2
Minnie 2
Nellie 2

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 64
William 63
George 44
Joseph 37
Thomas 34
James 32
Henry 26
Charles 25
Albert 18
Herbert 18
Walter 18
Frederick 17
Arthur 15
Samuel 15
Ernest 11
Alfred 10
Frank 9
Harry 9
Edward 7
Fred 7
Robert 7
Richard 6
Wm. 6
Ralph 5
Willis 5
Benjamin 4
Jonathan 4
Saml. 4
Andrew 3
Bernard 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Isaac 3
Percy 3
Sam 3
Wilson 3
Chas. 2
Harvey 2
Horatio 2
Hugh 2
Hy. 2
Joel 2
Jos. 2
Joshua 2
Tom 2
Vincent 2
Wilfred 2
Willie 2
Earnest 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Crookes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crookes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,307 people were recorded with the Crookes surname. That placed it at #3,132 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crookes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,056 in 2016. That gives Crookes a modern rank of #3,144.

What does the Crookes surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old Norse word "krokr," meaning a bend or curve, likely referring to someone who lived near a crooked stream or road.

What does the Crookes map show?

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