UK surname
A surname originating from a place name denoting someone from the area of Crosby Well in England.
In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Croswell surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 16, ranked #36,998, down from #24,561 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Overton, Wandsworth and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Croswell is 119 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 75.0%.
1881 census count
64
Ranked #24,561
Modern count
16
2016, ranked #36,998
Peak year
1861
119 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Croswell surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Croswell 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 | 80 | #19,558 |
| 1861 | historical | 119 | #18,393 |
| 1881 | historical | 64 | #24,561 |
| 1891 | historical | 80 | #26,785 |
| 1901 | historical | 56 | #27,952 |
| 1911 | historical | 50 | #27,806 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 18 | #36,135 |
| 1999 | modern | 17 | #36,261 |
| 2000 | modern | 18 | #36,104 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 15 | #36,415 |
| 2004 | modern | 17 | #36,342 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 17 | #36,517 |
| 2007 | modern | 18 | #36,537 |
| 2008 | modern | 17 | #36,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 18 | #36,682 |
| 2010 | modern | 18 | #36,774 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 17 | #36,888 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 16 | #36,998 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Overton, Wandsworth, Wigan, St George the Martyr and St Matthew Bethnal Green. 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 | Overton | Hampshire |
| 2 | Wandsworth | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | St George the Martyr | London (South Districts) |
| 5 | St Matthew Bethnal Green | London (East Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Croswell 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 Croswell, 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 Croswell surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Croswell 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, Croswell 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 Croswell is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Croswell, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Croswell has its origins in England, dating back to the 11th century. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "cros" meaning "cross" and "well" meaning "a spring or stream." This suggests that the name may have originated from a place where a cross was situated near a well or stream.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Croswell can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land and landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Croswell" in the county of Essex, indicating that the family may have originated from that area.
During the Middle Ages, the name Croswell appeared in various historical records and manuscripts, often with slight variations in spelling, such as "Croswell," "Crosewelle," and "Crosswell." These variations were common due to the inconsistent nature of spelling and record-keeping in those times.
In the 13th century, a notable figure named William Croswell was recorded as a landowner in the county of Berkshire. His son, John Croswell, born in 1265, continued the family line and served as a member of the local council.
Another prominent individual bearing the Croswell name was Sir Thomas Croswell, who lived in the 15th century and was a respected knight and military commander. He fought in the Wars of the Roses and was awarded lands in Gloucestershire for his service.
The name Croswell has also been associated with several place names in England, such as Croswell Priory in Oxfordshire, which was a monastic institution established in the 12th century. The village of Croswell in Somerset may have derived its name from the same root as the surname.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, several Croswells emigrated to the American colonies, including John Croswell, who arrived in Virginia in 1635, and Thomas Croswell, who settled in Massachusetts in 1638.
In the 18th century, a notable figure named Andrew Croswell (1709-1785) was a prominent lawyer and judge in Connecticut. He served as a member of the Continental Congress and was a staunch supporter of American independence.
Throughout history, the Croswell surname has been carried by various individuals across different professions and walks of life, spanning from landowners and military personnel to lawyers and public servants. The name's origins can be traced back to medieval England, where it likely emerged from a specific geographical location.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Croswell 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. Hampshire leads with 11 Croswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 11 | 9.49x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 1.94x |
| Norfolk | 9 | 10.35x |
| Gloucestershire | 7 | 6.31x |
| Surrey | 7 | 2.54x |
| Sussex | 6 | 6.29x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.55x |
| Berkshire | 2 | 4.71x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.35x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.18x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Durley in Hampshire leads with 10 Croswells recorded in 1881 and an index of 11111.11x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durley | 10 | 11111.11x |
| Great Yarmouth | 9 | 125.00x |
| Hardwicke | 7 | 5384.62x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 5 | 43.94x |
| Folkestone | 3 | 80.21x |
| Hastings St Mary | 3 | 126.58x |
| Stoke Newington London | 3 | 68.03x |
| Westfield | 3 | 1500.00x |
| Bethnal Green London | 2 | 8.14x |
| Bray | 2 | 160.00x |
| Poplar London | 2 | 18.74x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 8.16x |
| Croydon | 1 | 6.54x |
| Epsom | 1 | 74.63x |
| Heckmondwike | 1 | 55.56x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 32.89x |
| Kings Norton | 1 | 15.11x |
| St George Hanover Square | 1 | 10.04x |
| Westminster St Margaret | 1 | 36.63x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Croswell 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 Croswell 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 Croswell households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| (Dom Servant) | 1 |
| Ag Labourer | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Bootmaker | 1 |
| Bricklayers Laborer | 1 |
| Brush Drawer (Maker) | 1 |
| Builder Emp 8 Sons 1 Man | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Fishermans Wife | 1 |
| Game Keeper | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper (Seamans Wife) | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Laundres | 1 |
| Life Assurance Clerk | 1 |
| Lodginghouse Keeper | 1 |
| Messenger | 1 |
| Needlewoman | 1 |
| Pawn Broker | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Shop Assistant | 1 |
| Tramway Inspector | 1 |
| Wheelwright | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Croswell surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 16 in 2016. That gives Croswell a modern rank of #36,998.
A surname originating from a place name denoting someone from the area of Crosby Well in England.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Croswell 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.