UK surname
A surname derived from the combination of the words "crooked" and "shanks" referring to a person with bent or bowed legs.
In the 1881 census there were 80 people recorded with the Crookshanks surname, ranking it #22,225 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 17, ranked #36,904, down from #22,225 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Gateshead and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crookshanks is 106 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.8%.
1881 census count
80
Ranked #22,225
Modern count
17
2016, ranked #36,904
Peak year
1851
106 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Crookshanks surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Crookshanks surname density by area, 1851 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 | 106 | #16,512 |
| 1861 | historical | 69 | #25,057 |
| 1881 | historical | 80 | #22,225 |
| 1891 | historical | 55 | #29,744 |
| 1901 | historical | 49 | #28,696 |
| 1911 | historical | 12 | #32,302 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 19 | #36,007 |
| 2001 | modern | 21 | #35,646 |
| 2002 | modern | 21 | #35,798 |
| 2003 | modern | 17 | #36,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 16 | #36,439 |
| 2005 | modern | 13 | #36,833 |
| 2006 | modern | 13 | #36,902 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 13 | #37,191 |
| 2012 | modern | 12 | #37,292 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 17 | #36,887 |
| 2016 | modern | 17 | #36,904 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Gateshead, Greenock, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. 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 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 2 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 3 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Paisley Abbey | Renfrew |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Crookshanks 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 Crookshanks, 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 Crookshanks surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Crookshanks 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, Crookshanks 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 Crookshanks is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Crookshanks, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Crookshanks has its origins in Scotland, specifically in the Lowlands region. It is believed to have emerged in the early 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "croc" meaning a crooked person or one with bent legs, and "shanks" referring to the legs. This suggests that the name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone with crooked legs or a distinctive gait.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Crookshanks can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a record of Scottish landowners and nobles who swore fealty to King Edward I of England. The entry "Johannes de Crokschankes" appears in this document, indicating the presence of the name in Scotland during that time period.
The Crookshanks name is also mentioned in various historical records and manuscripts from the 14th and 15th centuries, including the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland and the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. These records provide insights into the geographical spread of the name and the individuals who bore it.
Notable historical figures with the surname Crookshanks include John Crookshanks (c. 1550-1612), a Scottish mathematician and astronomer who served as the King's Hydrographer. Another prominent figure was Alexander Crookshanks (1659-1737), a Scottish merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the early development of Glasgow.
In the 18th century, William Crookshanks (1722-1804) was a Scottish minister and writer who authored several religious works. Later, in the 19th century, John Crookshanks (1806-1884) was a Scottish-born Canadian politician and judge who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada.
The Crookshanks name has also been associated with various place names and locations in Scotland, such as Crookshanks Hill in East Lothian and Crookshanks Lane in Glasgow, indicating the historical presence and influence of the family in these areas.
While the Crookshanks surname is not as common as some other Scottish surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions in various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crookshanks 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. Lanarkshire leads with 16 Crookshanks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.34x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 16 | 6.34x |
| Durham | 15 | 6.46x |
| Renfrewshire | 10 | 16.54x |
| Lancashire | 9 | 0.97x |
| Aberdeenshire | 8 | 11.07x |
| Ayrshire | 7 | 11.99x |
| Middlesex | 6 | 0.77x |
| Midlothian | 3 | 2.87x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 1.72x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.26x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 4.77x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 2.86x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westoe in Durham leads with 10 Crookshanks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 75.99x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Westoe | 10 | 75.99x |
| Aberdeen Old Machar | 8 | 53.02x |
| Eastwood | 8 | 215.05x |
| Glasgow | 7 | 15.62x |
| Cambusnethan | 6 | 107.14x |
| Mile End Old Town London | 6 | 36.12x |
| Oldham | 5 | 16.73x |
| Dundonald | 4 | 186.05x |
| East Middle Herrington | 4 | 10000.00x |
| Barony | 3 | 4.70x |
| Kilmarnock | 3 | 43.17x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 2 | 13.60x |
| Edinburgh St Georges | 2 | 92.17x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 3.56x |
| West Greenock | 2 | 18.43x |
| Westgate | 2 | 27.82x |
| Cumbernauld | 1 | 86.96x |
| Dunblane | 1 | 119.05x |
| Inveresk | 1 | 35.34x |
| Southcoates | 1 | 23.31x |
| West Herrington | 1 | 123.46x |
| York All Sts North | 1 | 263.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Crookshanks 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 Crookshanks 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 Crookshanks households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Cotton Weaver | 2 |
| Milliner | 2 |
| Basket Maker | 1 |
| Bookbinder | 1 |
| Carpenter Unemployed | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Frame Tenter Cotton Mill | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Pit Engine Driver Stoker | 1 |
| Printer | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shirt Cutter | 1 |
| Shopman In Provision | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 80 people were recorded with the Crookshanks surname. That placed it at #22,225 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 17 in 2016. That gives Crookshanks a modern rank of #36,904.
A surname derived from the combination of the words "crooked" and "shanks" referring to a person with bent or bowed legs.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Crookshanks 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.