NameCensus.

UK surname

Crosswell

An English surname derived from a place name referring to a crossroads or intersection near a well.

In the 1881 census there were 236 people recorded with the Crosswell surname, ranking it #11,540 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 330, ranked #13,765, down from #11,540 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Overton, London parishes and Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Swale, Great Yarmouth and Winchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crosswell is 458 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.8%.

1881 census count

236

Ranked #11,540

Modern count

330

2016, ranked #13,765

Peak year

1861

458 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crosswell had 236 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,540 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 330 in 2016, ranked #13,765.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 458 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Crosswell surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crosswell surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crosswell 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 214 #9,898
1861 historical 458 #5,668
1881 historical 236 #11,540
1891 historical 392 #9,019
1901 historical 303 #11,569
1911 historical 401 #9,262
1997 modern 298 #13,593
1998 modern 313 #13,504
1999 modern 328 #13,183
2000 modern 342 #12,771
2001 modern 326 #13,006
2002 modern 336 #12,992
2003 modern 322 #13,192
2004 modern 329 #13,027
2005 modern 323 #13,133
2006 modern 326 #13,128
2007 modern 320 #13,442
2008 modern 322 #13,487
2009 modern 338 #13,302
2010 modern 342 #13,440
2011 modern 342 #13,314
2012 modern 337 #13,345
2013 modern 329 #13,810
2014 modern 337 #13,659
2015 modern 336 #13,593
2016 modern 330 #13,765

Geography

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Where Crosswells are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Overton, London parishes, Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead and Malling,West. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Swale, Great Yarmouth, Winchester and Haringey. 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 Overton Hampshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Croydon, Battersea (Penge), Sanderstead Surrey
4 Malling,West Kent
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Swale 012 Swale
2 Great Yarmouth 011 Great Yarmouth
3 Winchester 003 Winchester
4 Swale 010 Swale
5 Haringey 025 Haringey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crosswell

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crosswell

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Crosswell is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Crosswell 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

Crosswell falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Crosswell

The surname Crosswell is of English origin, deriving from a geographical location or place name. It likely originated during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. The name is believed to be a combination of two Old English words, "cros" meaning "cross" and "well" meaning "a spring or source of water." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to a person residing near a crossroads or intersection where there was also a well or spring.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Crosswell name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a John de Croswell. The Hundred Rolls were administrative records maintained during the reign of King Edward I, providing valuable insights into the distribution of surnames across different counties in England.

The Crosswell surname also appears in various historical documents from the 14th and 15th centuries. For example, the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1348 mention a Robert de Crosswell. Similarly, the Poll Tax Returns for Yorkshire in 1379 include a reference to a Johanna Crossewell.

During the 16th century, variations in spelling became more common, with the name appearing as Crosswall, Crosswale, and Crosswill in various records. One notable bearer of the name was John Crosswell, a merchant from Bristol, England, who was born in 1580 and operated a successful trading business in the city.

In the 17th century, the Crosswell surname continued to be found in various parts of England, with records indicating individuals bearing the name in counties such as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire. A prominent figure from this era was William Crosswell (1628-1685), an English clergyman who served as the Rector of Winwick in Lancashire.

Moving into the 18th century, the Crosswell name gained further recognition with individuals like Samuel Crosswell (1709-1784), a prominent landowner and Member of Parliament for Tewkesbury. Additionally, Thomas Crosswell (1737-1821) was an English artist and engraver known for his landscape paintings and etchings.

As the centuries progressed, the Crosswell surname continued to spread across different regions of England and beyond. Bearers of the name have made contributions in various fields, including literature, politics, and the arts, further enriching the historical significance of this surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crosswell families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crosswell 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 65 Crosswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.72x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 65 13.72x
Kent 37 4.69x
Surrey 30 2.66x
Middlesex 28 1.21x
Norfolk 18 5.06x
Berkshire 7 4.03x
Hertfordshire 7 4.39x
Lincolnshire 7 1.89x
Worcestershire 7 2.32x
Somerset 6 1.61x
Warwickshire 5 0.86x
Yorkshire 5 0.22x
Oxfordshire 4 2.80x
Staffordshire 2 0.26x
Carmarthenshire 1 1.03x
Durham 1 0.15x
Essex 1 0.22x
Gloucestershire 1 0.22x
Monmouthshire 1 0.60x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.32x
Royal Navy 1 3.63x
Suffolk 1 0.36x
Wiltshire 1 0.49x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Overton in Hampshire leads with 24 Crosswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 2123.89x.

Place Total Index
Overton 24 2123.89x
Great Yarmouth 18 61.14x
Herriard 10 3125.00x
Croydon 9 14.39x
Shoreditch London 8 7.98x
Aldbury 7 972.22x
Botley 7 823.53x
Church Lench 7 2258.06x
Durley 7 1842.11x
Great Grimsby 7 29.84x
Soberton 7 804.60x
Southwark St John 6 84.87x
West Malling 6 337.08x
Wrotham 6 229.89x
Caterham 5 100.40x
Heckmondwike 5 67.84x
Portsea 5 5.38x
Salford Priors 5 769.23x
Shipbourne 5 1250.00x
Snodland 5 223.21x
Strood 5 111.11x
Battersea 4 4.70x
Hurst 4 176.21x
St Bartholomew Great 4 190.48x
Stoke Newington London 4 22.21x
Timberscombe 4 1290.32x
Witney 4 167.36x
Deptford St Paul 3 4.93x
Islington London 3 1.34x
Bray 2 39.22x
Creech St Michael 2 215.05x
Hackney London 2 1.54x
Kensington London 2 1.56x
Lambeth 2 0.99x
Leek Lowe 2 19.27x
Wandsworth 2 8.99x
Woolwich 2 6.86x
Ashe 1 625.00x
Ashford 1 13.02x
Bedwellty 1 3.39x
Chatham 1 4.61x
Clifton 1 4.36x
East Ham 1 11.81x
Fareham 1 17.57x
Gorleston 1 13.99x
Hammersmith London 1 1.76x
Hampton London 1 26.32x
Hannington 1 454.55x
Hornsey 1 3.42x
Leatherhead 1 35.46x
Lee 1 8.73x
Lewisham 1 2.38x
Llanboidy 1 81.97x
Newbury 1 17.99x
Nottingham St Mary 1 1.24x
Rotherhithe 1 3.50x
Royal Navy 1 4.25x
Salisbury St Thomas 1 61.73x
Sittingbourne 1 16.05x
South Stoneham 1 9.73x
St Marylebone London 1 0.81x
Tanfield 1 12.22x
Tottenham 1 2.72x
Widley 1 117.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 14
William 14
Charles 9
Henry 8
James 8
John 8
Thomas 5
Albert 4
Edwin 3
Frederick 3
Joseph 3
Thos. 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Edward 2
Eli 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Jas. 2
Robert 2
Samual 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Anthony 1
Earnest 1
Ernest 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Fritz 1
Jamesilus 1
Jno. 1
Robt.J. 1
Samuel 1
Sidney 1

FAQ

Crosswell surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crosswell surname in 1881?

In 1881, 236 people were recorded with the Crosswell surname. That placed it at #11,540 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crosswell surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 330 in 2016. That gives Crosswell a modern rank of #13,765.

What does the Crosswell surname mean?

An English surname derived from a place name referring to a crossroads or intersection near a well.

What does the Crosswell map show?

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