NameCensus.

UK surname

Crowhurst

A surname derived from an English place name meaning "crow's hurst" or "wooded hill frequented by crows."

In the 1881 census there were 1,404 people recorded with the Crowhurst surname, ranking it #2,956 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,501, ranked #4,121, down from #2,956 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Meopham, Tunbridge, Bidborough and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wealden, Eastbourne and Southend-on-Sea.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crowhurst is 1,838 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 6.9%.

1881 census count

1,404

Ranked #2,956

Modern count

1,501

2016, ranked #4,121

Peak year

1911

1,838 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crowhurst had 1,404 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,956 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,501 in 2016, ranked #4,121.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,838 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Crowhurst surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crowhurst surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crowhurst 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 875 #3,121
1861 historical 877 #3,166
1881 historical 1,404 #2,956
1891 historical 1,564 #2,837
1901 historical 1,748 #2,971
1911 historical 1,838 #2,684
1997 modern 1,571 #3,752
1998 modern 1,656 #3,718
1999 modern 1,643 #3,779
2000 modern 1,630 #3,784
2001 modern 1,608 #3,759
2002 modern 1,628 #3,783
2003 modern 1,560 #3,861
2004 modern 1,570 #3,842
2005 modern 1,521 #3,904
2006 modern 1,478 #4,022
2007 modern 1,499 #3,999
2008 modern 1,492 #4,051
2009 modern 1,522 #4,064
2010 modern 1,573 #4,018
2011 modern 1,553 #4,026
2012 modern 1,505 #4,075
2013 modern 1,549 #4,029
2014 modern 1,541 #4,082
2015 modern 1,511 #4,113
2016 modern 1,501 #4,121

Geography

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Where Crowhursts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Meopham, Tunbridge, Bidborough, London parishes, Withyham and St John Hackney. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wealden, Eastbourne, Southend-on-Sea and Lewes. 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 Meopham Kent
2 Tunbridge, Bidborough Kent
3 London parishes London 3
4 Withyham Sussex
5 St John Hackney London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wealden 009 Wealden
2 Wealden 006 Wealden
3 Eastbourne 007 Eastbourne
4 Southend-on-Sea 013 Southend-on-Sea
5 Lewes 005 Lewes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crowhurst

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crowhurst

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Crowhurst surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Crowhurst household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Crowhurst is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Crowhurst 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

Crowhurst falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Crowhurst

The surname Crowhurst originated in England, with the earliest known records dating back to the 11th century. It is a locational name derived from the parish of Crowhurst in Surrey, which means "cross wood" or "wooded cross" in Old English.

The name Crowhurst is believed to have been first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England. The entry for Crowhurst in the Domesday Book refers to a settlement called "Craulesse".

In the 13th century, the name was spelled in various forms, including Crowhurst, Crowhirst, and Crohurst. These variations likely reflect the regional dialects and pronunciation differences of the time.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir Thomas Crowhurst, a prominent landowner and soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War during the reign of King Edward III (1312-1377). He was knighted for his bravery in battle and was granted lands in Kent.

Another notable individual with the surname Crowhurst was John Crowhurst (c. 1535-1604), an English Anglican clergyman and theologian. He served as the Archdeacon of Surrey and was known for his writings on religious matters.

In the 17th century, a branch of the Crowhurst family settled in the American colonies, with records showing Edward Crowhurst arriving in Virginia in 1635. His descendants played a role in the early development of the colony and the subsequent formation of the United States.

One of the most famous bearers of the name was Sir George Crowhurst (1869-1941), a British politician and businessman. He served as a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party and was involved in various industries, including mining and engineering.

Another notable Crowhurst was John Crowhurst (1914-1988), a British mathematician and computer scientist. He made significant contributions to the field of computer arithmetic and was a pioneer in the development of digital signal processing algorithms.

Throughout history, the surname Crowhurst has been found in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, where the original parish and settlements bearing the name were located. While not a widespread surname, it has maintained a presence in England and has been carried by individuals who have made contributions in various fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crowhurst families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crowhurst 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. Kent leads with 528 Crowhursts recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.35x.

County Total Index
Kent 528 11.35x
Sussex 417 18.14x
Middlesex 179 1.31x
Surrey 138 2.08x
Devon 22 0.78x
Essex 19 0.71x
Buckinghamshire 12 1.46x
Leicestershire 10 0.66x
Yorkshire 9 0.07x
Cheshire 8 0.27x
Hertfordshire 8 0.85x
Lancashire 8 0.05x
Westmorland 7 2.34x
Staffordshire 6 0.13x
Glamorgan 5 0.21x
Midlothian 4 0.22x
Royal Navy 3 1.85x
Aberdeenshire 2 0.16x
Cornwall 2 0.13x
Northamptonshire 2 0.16x
Angus 1 0.08x
Berkshire 1 0.10x
Gloucestershire 1 0.04x
Hampshire 1 0.04x
Norfolk 1 0.05x
Shropshire 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.03x
Wiltshire 1 0.08x
Worcestershire 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 76 Crowhursts recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.38x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 76 16.38x
Battle 46 296.39x
Hackney London 43 5.62x
Maidstone 39 28.14x
Northfleet 33 80.51x
Tonbridge 33 19.66x
Islington London 32 2.42x
Halling 28 459.02x
Hailsham 27 193.97x
Meopham 27 468.75x
Milton In Gravesend 26 37.27x
Bromley 24 33.84x
Camberwell 22 2.53x
Lambeth 20 1.68x
Eastbourne 18 17.01x
Speldhurst 18 75.98x
Storrington 17 269.41x
Bexley 15 36.46x
Snodland 15 113.72x
Hastings St Mary In The 14 28.54x
Rye 14 64.07x
Hartfield 13 178.82x
Shoreham 13 196.37x
Wrotham 13 84.36x
Croydon 12 3.25x
Hastings St Mary 12 20.97x
Hellingly 12 155.84x
Leigh 12 197.37x
Stone In Dartford 12 100.50x
Chelsea London 11 2.68x
Framfield 11 154.28x
Newington 11 2.18x
Ash Next Ridley 10 338.98x
Chislehurst 10 40.08x
East Stonehouse 10 17.88x
Kingsdown In Dartford 10 515.46x
Withyam 10 101.63x
Canterbury St George 9 161.29x
Faversham 9 20.28x
Fulham London 9 4.55x
Upton Cum Chalvey 9 27.40x
Bexhill 8 69.81x
Chatham 8 6.25x
Horne 8 245.40x
Leicester St Mary 8 6.55x
Mile End Old Town London 8 2.76x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 3.66x
Selmeston 8 909.09x
Shoreditch London 8 1.35x
St Marylebone London 8 1.10x
Stansted 8 418.85x
Birling 7 169.49x
Edenbridge 7 76.67x
Lewes St John 7 274.51x
Petworth 7 50.98x
Reigate Foreign 7 9.73x
Southfleet 7 162.41x
St George Hanover Square 7 2.91x
St Luke London 7 3.20x
St Mary Cray 7 78.65x
Sutton At Hone 7 72.54x
West Ham 7 1.18x
Wilmington 7 608.70x
Arlington 6 218.98x
Ashurst 6 576.92x
Aylesford 6 46.55x
Bethnal Green London 6 1.01x
Cuckfield 6 25.84x
East Grinstead 6 18.43x
Gravesend 6 15.23x
Hadlow 6 51.99x
Iford 6 714.29x
Old Hutton Holmescales 6 337.08x
Paddington London 6 1.20x
Reigate Borough 6 39.14x
Rochester St Margaret 6 12.23x
Seaford 6 76.73x
St George Martyr London 6 21.72x
Streatham 6 5.93x
Wartling 6 214.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 82
Elizabeth 52
Sarah 32
Emily 31
Annie 27
Ellen 25
Ann 22
Emma 21
Jane 21
Eliza 19
Caroline 18
Kate 17
Alice 16
Fanny 15
Harriet 13
Hannah 10
Louisa 10
Charlotte 8
Martha 8
Sophia 8
Ada 7
Clara 7
Florence 7
Frances 7
Harriett 7
Lucy 7
Rose 7
Esther 6
Maria 6
Matilda 6
Maud 6
Ruth 6
Susan 6
Agnes 5
Catherine 5
Edith 5
Julia 5
Minnie 5
Amy 4
Laura 4
Lydia 4
Anna 3
Anne 3
Carey 3
E. 3
Isabel 3
Margaret 3
May 3
Phoebe 3
Rachel 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 70
George 53
John 51
Thomas 41
James 37
Henry 35
Charles 27
Alfred 26
Edward 26
Albert 24
Frederick 21
Robert 20
Walter 15
Arthur 13
Ernest 12
Samuel 12
Wm. 9
Frank 8
Harry 8
Herbert 8
Owen 7
Richard 7
Joseph 6
David 5
Edwin 5
Fredrick 4
Geo. 4
Abraham 3
Amos 3
Caleb 3
Cornelius 3
Ebenezer 3
Francis 3
A. 2
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Edgar 2
Ephraim 2
Fredk. 2
Jesse 2
Jno. 2
Joshua 2
Leonard 2
Mark 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Saml. 2
Stephen 2
W. 2
Willm. 2

FAQ

Crowhurst surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crowhurst surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,404 people were recorded with the Crowhurst surname. That placed it at #2,956 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crowhurst surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,501 in 2016. That gives Crowhurst a modern rank of #4,121.

What does the Crowhurst surname mean?

A surname derived from an English place name meaning "crow's hurst" or "wooded hill frequented by crows."

What does the Crowhurst map show?

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