NameCensus.

UK surname

Crowle

A surname derived from a place name in England, possibly referring to someone from Crowle in Lincolnshire.

In the 1881 census there were 307 people recorded with the Crowle surname, ranking it #9,568 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 376, ranked #12,437, down from #9,568 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to St Dennis, London parishes and Feock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crowle is 440 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 22.5%.

1881 census count

307

Ranked #9,568

Modern count

376

2016, ranked #12,437

Peak year

2000

440 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crowle had 307 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #9,568 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 376 in 2016, ranked #12,437.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 409 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Crowle surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crowle surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crowle 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 94 #17,837
1861 historical 176 #13,335
1881 historical 307 #9,568
1891 historical 370 #9,429
1901 historical 401 #9,472
1911 historical 409 #9,140
1997 modern 403 #10,955
1998 modern 419 #10,992
1999 modern 426 #10,938
2000 modern 440 #10,629
2001 modern 418 #10,860
2002 modern 419 #11,059
2003 modern 413 #11,006
2004 modern 412 #11,029
2005 modern 405 #11,078
2006 modern 414 #10,946
2007 modern 418 #10,976
2008 modern 412 #11,210
2009 modern 420 #11,266
2010 modern 429 #11,324
2011 modern 423 #11,333
2012 modern 396 #11,807
2013 modern 397 #11,988
2014 modern 390 #12,239
2015 modern 384 #12,276
2016 modern 376 #12,437

Geography

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Where Crowles are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around St Dennis, London parishes, Feock, Phillack and St Breward or Simonward. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall. 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 St Dennis Cornwall
2 London parishes London 1
3 Feock Cornwall
4 Phillack Cornwall
5 St Breward or Simonward Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 036 Cornwall
4 Cornwall 011 Cornwall
5 Cornwall 031 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crowle

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crowle

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Crowle is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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 located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Crowle is most concentrated in decile 7 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.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Crowle falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Crowle is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Crowle, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Crowle

The surname Crowle is of Anglo-Saxon origin, tracing its roots to the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire in England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cru" or "crau," meaning "crow," combined with the suffix "-hol" or "-hole," suggesting a connection to a particular location or topographical feature associated with crows.

One of the earliest references to the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Croulesbi" and "Croulesmere," referring to settlements in Lincolnshire. These early spellings highlight the evolution of the name from its Old English origins to its modern form.

In the 13th century, records show the name as "Croule" and "Croulle," indicating the gradual shift in spelling and pronunciation over time. The name was particularly prevalent in the East Riding of Yorkshire and parts of Lincolnshire, where it may have originated as a descriptive name for someone residing near a crow's nesting area or a location frequented by crows.

One notable figure bearing the Crowle surname was John Crowle (c. 1530-1593), an English translator and clergyman who served as a prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral. His translation of the works of Johann Caspar Schwenckfeld, a German religious reformer, was influential in the dissemination of Schwenckfeld's teachings in England.

Another prominent individual was Sir Ambrose Crowle (1658-1713), a British politician and Member of Parliament for Grimsby in Lincolnshire. He was known for his support of the Whig party and his advocacy for religious tolerance.

In the 18th century, William Crowle (1742-1802) gained recognition as a British naval officer and cartographer. He served in the Royal Navy and was responsible for producing several highly regarded charts and maps of the Caribbean and Atlantic regions.

John Crowle (1768-1857), a British engraver and printer, made significant contributions to the art of printmaking. He was known for his intricate engravings and collaborations with renowned artists and publishers of his time.

Finally, Reverend William Crowle (1817-1892) was an English clergyman and author who served as the vicar of Chertsey in Surrey. He wrote several religious works and was actively involved in the Church of England during the Victorian era.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crowle families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crowle 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. Cornwall leads with 233 Crowles recorded in 1881 and an index of 68.28x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 233 68.28x
Middlesex 25 0.83x
Hampshire 19 3.08x
Cumberland 10 3.85x
Gloucestershire 9 1.52x
Surrey 7 0.48x
Royal Navy 2 5.57x
Devon 1 0.16x
Durham 1 0.11x
Glamorgan 1 0.19x
Warwickshire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Stephen In Brannel in Cornwall leads with 43 Crowles recorded in 1881 and an index of 1382.64x.

Place Total Index
St Stephen In Brannel 43 1382.64x
St Austell 39 334.48x
St Dennis 22 1732.28x
Linkinhorne 15 630.25x
St Breward 14 1866.67x
Feock 12 560.75x
Ladock 11 1134.02x
Kensington London 10 5.97x
Kenwyn 9 100.90x
St Mary Extra 9 181.09x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 8 14.37x
Millom 8 100.63x
Crantock 7 2000.00x
St Blazey 7 233.33x
St Enoder 7 603.45x
Newlyn 5 342.47x
Boconnoc 4 1428.57x
Clapham 4 10.62x
Hackney London 4 2.37x
Helston 4 112.68x
Phillack 4 90.91x
Southampton St John 4 634.92x
St Stephen 4 330.58x
St Winnow 4 341.88x
Creed Grampound 3 731.71x
Mevagissey 3 132.16x
Newington 3 2.69x
Paddington London 3 2.71x
St Clement 3 84.27x
Westminster St Margaret 3 20.63x
Aldershot 2 9.66x
Arlecdon 2 28.99x
Camborne 2 14.22x
Roche 2 115.61x
Southampton St Mary 2 5.15x
St Erth 2 96.62x
St Pancras London 2 0.82x
Advent 1 434.78x
Aston 1 0.48x
Bodmin 1 17.70x
Breamore 1 172.41x
Cuby 1 666.67x
Exeter St Mary Arches 1 169.49x
Harefield 1 64.52x
Islington London 1 0.34x
Kea 1 39.37x
Madron Penzance 1 8.06x
Portsmouth 1 7.03x
Probus 1 71.43x
Royal Navy 1 3.26x
South Shields 1 12.52x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.88x
Stapleton 1 8.92x
Swansea Town 1 2.32x
Truro St Mary 1 34.84x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 22
Elizabeth 12
Jane 7
Annie 6
Ann 5
Ellen 5
Emily 5
Bessie 4
Edith 4
Emma 4
Grace 4
Sarah 4
Fanny 3
Hannah 3
Harriet 3
Nellie 3
Susan 3
Amelia 2
Cacilea 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Elizth. 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Rachel 2
Arriet 1
Carrie 1
Charlotte 1
Edna 1
Elsie 1
Ethel 1
Fenella 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Harriett 1
Henerietta 1
Laura 1
Lillian 1
Lily 1
Lottie 1
Louisa 1
Lucithe 1
Margretta 1
Maria 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Millicent 1
Minnie 1
Nancy 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 22
William 18
Thomas 14
Samuel 11
James 10
Henry 7
Richard 6
Charles 5
Joseph 5
Robert 5
Albert 4
Ernest 4
Harry 4
Alfred 3
Arthur 3
Daniel 3
Francis 3
George 3
Tom 3
Edward 2
Edwin 2
Frank 2
Frederick 2
Jno. 2
Almond 1
Charley 1
David 1
Humphrey 1
Leonard 1
Lewis 1
Marshal 1
Oscar 1
Paul 1
Percival 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Robt. 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Thos.H.R. 1

FAQ

Crowle surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crowle surname in 1881?

In 1881, 307 people were recorded with the Crowle surname. That placed it at #9,568 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crowle surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 376 in 2016. That gives Crowle a modern rank of #12,437.

What does the Crowle surname mean?

A surname derived from a place name in England, possibly referring to someone from Crowle in Lincolnshire.

What does the Crowle map show?

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