NameCensus.

UK surname

Cruse

An English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold drinking vessels or earthenware jars.

In the 1881 census there were 869 people recorded with the Cruse surname, ranking it #4,359 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,207, ranked #4,927, down from #4,359 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Boxford with Westbrook and Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Flintshire, Aylesbury Vale and High Bonnybridge and Greenhill.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cruse is 1,281 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 38.9%.

1881 census count

869

Ranked #4,359

Modern count

1,207

2016, ranked #4,927

Peak year

1998

1,281 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Cruse had 869 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,359 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,207 in 2016, ranked #4,927.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,166 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Cruse surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Cruse surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Cruse 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 602 #4,265
1861 historical 450 #5,752
1881 historical 869 #4,359
1891 historical 888 #4,636
1901 historical 1,069 #4,517
1911 historical 1,166 #4,008
1997 modern 1,243 #4,577
1998 modern 1,281 #4,635
1999 modern 1,263 #4,716
2000 modern 1,270 #4,671
2001 modern 1,227 #4,718
2002 modern 1,270 #4,675
2003 modern 1,212 #4,765
2004 modern 1,213 #4,770
2005 modern 1,187 #4,812
2006 modern 1,185 #4,822
2007 modern 1,193 #4,832
2008 modern 1,200 #4,841
2009 modern 1,234 #4,829
2010 modern 1,268 #4,812
2011 modern 1,240 #4,852
2012 modern 1,200 #4,916
2013 modern 1,230 #4,893
2014 modern 1,225 #4,930
2015 modern 1,216 #4,911
2016 modern 1,207 #4,927

Geography

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Where Cruses are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Boxford with Westbrook, Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Flintshire, Aylesbury Vale, High Bonnybridge and Greenhill, Ceredigion and Wiltshire. 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 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Boxford with Westbrook Berkshire
4 Kenton, Alphington, Dawlish Devon
5 Liverpool Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Flintshire 009 Flintshire
2 Aylesbury Vale 002 Aylesbury Vale
3 High Bonnybridge and Greenhill Falkirk
4 Ceredigion 002 Ceredigion
5 Wiltshire 045 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Cruse

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Cruse

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

London Fringe

Within London, Cruse 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

Cruse 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

Cruse falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Cruse

The surname Cruse has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old French word "crouse," which means "curly-haired" or "crisp." This descriptor was likely applied to someone with distinctively curly hair or perhaps a person with a crisp personality.

Historically, the Cruse name can be traced back to the late 12th century, appearing in various records from the county of Yorkshire. One of the earliest recorded instances is in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1195, where a Robert Cruse is mentioned.

During the 13th century, the name gained prominence and spread to other regions of England. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a William Cruse is listed as a landowner in Lincolnshire. This suggests that the family had attained a certain level of social status by that time.

The Cruse name is also found in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, although the spelling varies slightly as "Crus." This entry indicates the presence of the name in England shortly after the Norman Conquest.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the Cruse surname. In the 16th century, John Cruse (born c. 1510) was a prominent English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Canterbury. Another notable figure was Sir John Cruse (1549-1629), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament for Lymington.

In the arts, Thomas Cruse (1624-1700) was a celebrated English painter known for his portraits and historical scenes. His works can be found in various collections, including the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Moving forward to the 18th century, William Cruse (1715-1785) was a respected English clergyman and author who wrote several religious texts and sermons. His works were widely read and influential during his lifetime.

Another significant figure was Sir Randolph Cruse (1741-1821), a British naval officer who played a crucial role in several battles during the Napoleonic Wars. He was knighted for his distinguished service and bravery.

While the name Cruse originated in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly through migration and settlement. However, the earliest recorded instances and historical references remain rooted in the English medieval period, reflecting the surname's enduring legacy and rich heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Cruse families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cruse 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. Middlesex leads with 143 Cruses recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.69x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 143 1.69x
Lancashire 99 0.99x
Surrey 89 2.16x
Devon 76 4.32x
Wiltshire 75 10.03x
Berkshire 57 8.98x
Sussex 54 3.79x
Hampshire 44 2.54x
Somerset 41 3.01x
Gloucestershire 29 1.75x
Kent 29 1.01x
Yorkshire 26 0.31x
Essex 20 1.20x
Warwickshire 20 0.94x
Cornwall 11 1.15x
Buckinghamshire 8 1.56x
Cheshire 8 0.43x
Carmarthenshire 6 1.68x
Northumberland 6 0.48x
Glamorgan 5 0.34x
Monmouthshire 5 0.82x
Staffordshire 4 0.14x
Dorset 2 0.36x
Durham 2 0.08x
Stirlingshire 2 0.64x
Suffolk 2 0.19x
Bedfordshire 1 0.23x
Herefordshire 1 0.29x
Lanarkshire 1 0.04x
Worcestershire 1 0.09x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Liverpool in Lancashire leads with 27 Cruses recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.43x.

Place Total Index
Liverpool 27 4.43x
Newington 26 8.32x
Islington London 22 2.68x
Kenton 20 360.36x
Eastbourne 19 28.95x
Bethnal Green London 17 4.63x
St Pancras London 17 2.50x
Boxford 16 969.70x
Paddington London 16 5.15x
Southwark St George Martyr 16 9.40x
Portsea 15 4.42x
Clovelly 13 565.22x
Bow London 12 11.15x
Preston 12 4.47x
Toxteth Park 12 3.53x
Bermondsey 11 4.37x
Bideford 11 58.32x
Lambeth 11 1.49x
Manchester 11 2.44x
Everton 10 3.13x
Aston 9 1.53x
Bristol St Michael 9 63.29x
Clifton 9 10.73x
Gravesend 9 36.84x
Hackney London 9 1.90x
Hove 9 14.38x
Imber 9 796.46x
Urchfont 9 294.12x
Wellington 9 48.75x
Broughton In Salford 8 8.72x
Lymington 8 62.79x
New Shoreham 8 93.57x
Rattery 8 695.65x
Stewkley 8 205.66x
Aldbourn 7 160.92x
Barking 7 14.33x
Clerkenwell London 7 3.51x
Kirkleatham 7 61.84x
Leeds 7 1.48x
Southampton St Mary 7 6.42x
Southwark Christchurch 7 17.66x
Swindon 7 12.06x
Tilshead 7 507.25x
Welford 7 256.41x
West Ham 7 1.90x
Birkenhead 6 4.03x
Birmingham 6 0.84x
Carmarthen St Peter 6 19.69x
Dawlish 6 45.70x
Reading St Mary 6 11.80x
St Marylebone London 6 1.33x
Taunton St James 6 30.23x
Warminster 6 36.61x
Brampton En Le Morthen 5 2777.78x
Broad Chalk 5 235.85x
Chitterne All Sts 5 400.00x
Hampstead Norris 5 125.31x
Hound 5 42.48x
Inkpen 5 250.00x
Rainhill 5 77.76x
Speen 5 48.12x
St Decumans 5 381.68x
Westbury On Trym 5 8.90x
Ashbrittle 4 363.64x
Battle 4 41.58x
Buckfastleigh 4 49.26x
Devizes St James 4 40.24x
Friern Barnet 4 21.47x
Glastonbury 4 36.00x
Jesmond 4 22.59x
Margate St John Baptist 4 7.57x
Ratcliffe London 4 8.56x
Warwick St Mary 4 21.60x
York St Cuthbert 4 52.15x
Bromley London 3 1.61x
Camberwell 3 0.56x
Christchurch 3 15.86x
Erith 3 10.55x
Farrington Gurney 3 193.55x
Reading St Giles 3 4.82x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 57
John 49
George 31
Henry 28
James 22
Thomas 22
Charles 16
Edward 12
Alfred 9
Richard 9
Robert 9
Albert 8
Frederick 8
Joseph 8
Samuel 8
Harry 6
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Ernest 5
Francis 4
Frank 4
Fred 4
David 3
Frances 3
Herbert 3
Patrick 3
Phillip 3
Sidney 3
Wm. 3
Benjamin 2
Daniel 2
Edwin 2
J. 2
Jacob 2
Jonathan 2
Joshua 2
Philip 2
Sydney 2
Thos. 2
Albt. 1
Augustus 1
Chas. 1
Christopher 1
Clarence 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Jesse 1
Jessie 1
Joel 1
Johnathon 1

FAQ

Cruse surname: questions and answers

How common was the Cruse surname in 1881?

In 1881, 869 people were recorded with the Cruse surname. That placed it at #4,359 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Cruse surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,207 in 2016. That gives Cruse a modern rank of #4,927.

What does the Cruse surname mean?

An English occupational surname referring to someone who made or sold drinking vessels or earthenware jars.

What does the Cruse map show?

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