UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from a place containing a crow-ford or crow crossing.
In the 1881 census there were 73 people recorded with the Crowford surname, ranking it #23,220 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 56, ranked #34,562, down from #23,220 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Thorpe, Manchester and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crowford is 289 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 23.3%.
1881 census count
73
Ranked #23,220
Modern count
56
2016, ranked #34,562
Peak year
1861
289 bearers
Map years
5
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Crowford surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Crowford surname density by area, 1911 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 | 208 | #10,107 |
| 1861 | historical | 289 | #8,711 |
| 1881 | historical | 73 | #23,220 |
| 1891 | historical | 199 | #14,977 |
| 1901 | historical | 191 | #15,579 |
| 1911 | historical | 165 | #16,808 |
| 1997 | modern | 67 | #30,915 |
| 1998 | modern | 71 | #30,869 |
| 1999 | modern | 81 | #30,037 |
| 2000 | modern | 69 | #31,273 |
| 2001 | modern | 64 | #31,602 |
| 2002 | modern | 56 | #32,753 |
| 2003 | modern | 57 | #32,704 |
| 2004 | modern | 63 | #32,380 |
| 2005 | modern | 57 | #33,178 |
| 2006 | modern | 55 | #33,688 |
| 2007 | modern | 59 | #33,634 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 64 | #33,675 |
| 2010 | modern | 60 | #34,205 |
| 2011 | modern | 62 | #34,045 |
| 2012 | modern | 51 | #34,756 |
| 2013 | modern | 61 | #34,317 |
| 2014 | modern | 60 | #34,400 |
| 2015 | modern | 59 | #34,407 |
| 2016 | modern | 56 | #34,562 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Thorpe, Manchester, Lambeth, St John Hackney and Glasgow. 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 | Thorpe | Lincolnshire |
| 2 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 3 | Lambeth | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | St John Hackney | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Crowford 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 Crowford, 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 Crowford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Crowford 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, Crowford 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 Crowford is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Crowford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname CROWFORD is believed to have originated in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, which spanned from the 5th to the 11th centuries. It is likely derived from the Old English words "cru," meaning "crow," and "ford," meaning a shallow river crossing or a ford. The name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a ford where crows were often seen or to describe someone with dark hair or complexion, resembling a crow's feathers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and population compiled in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Crudford, which is believed to be an early spelling variation of the surname.
During the Middle Ages, the name appeared in various records and manuscripts, often with different spellings such as Crowforde, Croweford, and Croufford. These variations were common due to the inconsistencies in spelling and record-keeping of the time.
In the 14th century, a notable figure named John Crowford (c. 1320 - 1385) was a prominent merchant and landowner in the city of York. He was known for his involvement in local politics and his philanthropic efforts, including the endowment of a chantry chapel in the city.
Another historical figure bearing the CROWFORD surname was Sir Thomas Crowford (c. 1460 - 1528), a Knight of the Garter during the reign of Henry VIII. He served as a military commander and played a significant role in the Battle of Flodden Field against the Scots in 1513.
During the 16th century, the CROWFORD surname was often associated with the village of Crawford in Lanarkshire, Scotland. This place name is derived from the Gaelic words "crom," meaning "bent" or "crooked," and "abhann," meaning "river," suggesting a connection to the original meaning of the surname.
In the 17th century, William CROWFORD (1605 - 1675) was a notable English clergyman and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1667 to 1671.
Another prominent figure was Sir John CROWFORD (1680 - 1747), a British politician and Member of Parliament who represented the constituency of Hertfordshire in the House of Commons from 1722 to 1747.
The CROWFORD surname continued to be prevalent throughout the centuries, appearing in various historical records and documents across different regions of England and Scotland.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crowford 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. Suffolk leads with 17 Crowfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.34x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Suffolk | 17 | 19.34x |
| Cheshire | 7 | 4.39x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 0.97x |
| Surrey | 7 | 1.99x |
| Durham | 6 | 2.79x |
| Somerset | 6 | 5.17x |
| Denbighshire | 5 | 18.34x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 0.70x |
| Devon | 3 | 2.00x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 0.35x |
| Lincolnshire | 3 | 2.60x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.35x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.22x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.41x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 0.55x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Framlingham in Suffolk leads with 8 Crowfords recorded in 1881 and an index of 1290.32x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Framlingham | 8 | 1290.32x |
| Camberwell | 7 | 15.19x |
| Nantwich | 7 | 378.38x |
| Hedworth Monkton Jarrow | 6 | 64.52x |
| Horsington | 6 | 3157.89x |
| Broughton | 5 | 467.29x |
| Otley | 4 | 229.89x |
| Wenhaston | 4 | 1818.18x |
| Kensington London | 2 | 4.99x |
| Kettleburgh | 2 | 2857.14x |
| Over Darwen | 2 | 29.24x |
| Shalden | 2 | 4000.00x |
| Wildmore | 2 | 1333.33x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 8.58x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 1.65x |
| Blythburgh | 1 | 500.00x |
| Chiswick | 1 | 25.38x |
| Ermington | 1 | 181.82x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.43x |
| Limehouse London | 1 | 12.63x |
| Lowestoft | 1 | 24.10x |
| Newton St Cyres | 1 | 476.19x |
| Norwood | 1 | 60.61x |
| Parham | 1 | 909.09x |
| Roche | 1 | 243.90x |
| Spalding | 1 | 43.67x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 2.60x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 3.87x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 15.72x |
| Towthorpe In Driffield | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Crowford 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 Crowford 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 Crowford households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 14 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Farmers Servant | 2 |
| Schoolar | 2 |
| Tailor | 2 |
| Tailoress | 2 |
| Agricultural Laborer | 1 |
| Butler (Domestic) | 1 |
| Coachman (Dom) | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Dom Serv General | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| Grocers Warehouseman | 1 |
| Grocers Warehouseman Wife | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Joiners Apprentice | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Labourer Wife | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Prof Governess | 1 |
| Rector Of Shalden | 1 |
| Riveter Of Iron Ship | 1 |
| Rivetters Boy Ship | 1 |
| Semstress | 1 |
| Servant Cook (Domes) | 1 |
| Stone Mason | 1 |
| Tailor Presser | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 73 people were recorded with the Crowford surname. That placed it at #23,220 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 56 in 2016. That gives Crowford a modern rank of #34,562.
A locational surname referring to someone from a place containing a crow-ford or crow crossing.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Crowford 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.