NameCensus.

UK surname

Crowston

A locational surname referring to someone from Crowston, a place in England.

In the 1881 census there were 70 people recorded with the Crowston surname, ranking it #23,670 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 151, ranked #23,615, up from #23,670 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Louth, Keelby and Sawley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Lincolnshire and West Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Crowston is 163 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 115.7%.

1881 census count

70

Ranked #23,670

Modern count

151

2016, ranked #23,615

Peak year

2011

163 bearers

Map years

5

1901 to 2016

Key insights

  • Crowston had 70 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #23,670 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016, ranked #23,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 135 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Crowston surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Crowston surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Crowston 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 80 #19,558
1861 historical 80 #23,566
1881 historical 70 #23,670
1891 historical 93 #24,965
1901 historical 135 #19,203
1911 historical 122 #20,245
1997 modern 160 #20,259
1998 modern 162 #20,673
1999 modern 158 #21,102
2000 modern 161 #20,822
2001 modern 157 #20,884
2002 modern 156 #21,348
2003 modern 145 #22,172
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 148 #21,961
2006 modern 144 #22,520
2007 modern 146 #22,596
2008 modern 144 #23,037
2009 modern 145 #23,473
2010 modern 158 #22,692
2011 modern 163 #21,983
2012 modern 154 #22,870
2013 modern 153 #23,314
2014 modern 157 #23,101
2015 modern 154 #23,306
2016 modern 151 #23,615

Geography

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Where Crowstons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Louth, Keelby, Sawley, Roxby with Risby and West Halton, Burton-on-Stather, Flixborough (Crosby). These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Lincolnshire and West Lindsey. 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 Louth Lincolnshire
2 Keelby Lincolnshire
3 Sawley Derbyshire
4 Roxby with Risby Lincolnshire
5 West Halton, Burton-on-Stather, Flixborough (Crosby) Lincolnshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Lincolnshire 012 North Lincolnshire
2 North Lincolnshire 005 North Lincolnshire
3 West Lindsey 006 West Lindsey
4 North Lincolnshire 016 North Lincolnshire
5 North Lincolnshire 018 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Crowston

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Crowston

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Crowston is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, 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

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

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

Crowston is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Crowston 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 Crowston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Crowston

The surname Crowston is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be derived from a locational name, referring to a place or settlement known as Crowston, possibly in the county of Lincolnshire. The name may have originated from the Old English words "crou," meaning "crow," and "tun," meaning "farmstead" or "village," suggesting a connection to a place where crows were prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and population conducted in 1086 under the order of William the Conqueror. The entry mentions a landowner named Croustune, which is believed to be an early variant spelling of Crowston.

In the 13th century, records show a John de Crouston living in the parish of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire. This provides evidence of the name's presence in northern England during that time period. Historical documents from the 14th century also mention a Richard Crouston, who was a tenant farmer in the village of Crowston, Lincolnshire.

Notable individuals with the surname Crowston include Sir Thomas Crowston (1560-1628), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Grantham during the reign of King James I. Another prominent figure was John Crowston (1682-1744), a renowned clockmaker and inventor from Lincolnshire, who was known for his innovative designs and contributions to the field of horology.

In the 18th century, a family named Crowston owned a significant estate in the village of Crowston, near the town of Spalding, Lincolnshire. This estate was later inherited by William Crowston (1745-1822), a prominent landowner and influential figure in the local community.

During the Victorian era, a notable individual with the surname was Emily Crowston (1836-1912), a respected author and educator from Yorkshire. Her published works focused on children's literature and educational topics.

Throughout its history, the surname Crowston has maintained a presence in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and neighboring regions. While the name has evolved over time with slight variations in spelling, its origins can be traced back to the medieval period and the locational connection to the settlement of Crowston.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Crowston families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Crowston 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. Lincolnshire leads with 59 Crowstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.05x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 59 54.05x
Cheshire 4 2.65x
Yorkshire 3 0.44x
Lancashire 2 0.25x
Nottinghamshire 1 1.09x
Suffolk 1 1.20x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Roxby Cum Risby in Lincolnshire leads with 17 Crowstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 17000.00x.

Place Total Index
Roxby Cum Risby 17 17000.00x
Scamblesby 9 10000.00x
Bardney 7 2121.21x
Great Grimsby 4 57.72x
Liscard 4 147.06x
North Somercotes 4 1379.31x
Tetney 3 1578.95x
Donington On Bain 2 1818.18x
Goole 2 176.99x
Gosberton 2 416.67x
Kirton In Lindsey 2 465.12x
Liverpool 2 4.07x
Melton Ross 2 5000.00x
Tathwell 2 2000.00x
Arnold 1 74.63x
Fulstow 1 769.23x
Gainsborough 1 38.91x
Great Welnetham 1 1000.00x
Ilkley 1 90.09x
Keelby 1 588.24x
Kirmington 1 1000.00x
St Swithin Lincoln 1 58.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Sarah 3
Annie 2
Charlotte 2
Lucy 2
Martha 2
Alice 1
Ann 1
Christiana 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Fanny 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Jane 1
Thos. 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
George 5
William 4
Henry 3
Joseph 3
Arthur 2
Charles 2
Edward 2
Frank 2
Alfred 1
Benjamin 1
Brumby 1
Edwin 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Thomas 1
Tom 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Crowston surname: questions and answers

How common was the Crowston surname in 1881?

In 1881, 70 people were recorded with the Crowston surname. That placed it at #23,670 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Crowston surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 151 in 2016. That gives Crowston a modern rank of #23,615.

What does the Crowston surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from Crowston, a place in England.

What does the Crowston map show?

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