UK surname
A surname likely derived from a Scottish placename.
In the 1881 census there were 114 people recorded with the Cruthers surname, ranking it #18,324 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 25, ranked #36,324, down from #18,324 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to New Monkland, Rutherglen and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Cruthers is 174 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.1%.
1881 census count
114
Ranked #18,324
Modern count
25
2016, ranked #36,324
Peak year
1861
174 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1881
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Cruthers surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Cruthers surname density by area, 1881 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 | 109 | #16,212 |
| 1861 | historical | 174 | #13,483 |
| 1881 | historical | 114 | #18,324 |
| 1891 | historical | 81 | #26,632 |
| 1901 | historical | 86 | #24,508 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 32 | #34,472 |
| 1998 | modern | 29 | #34,948 |
| 1999 | modern | 28 | #35,127 |
| 2000 | modern | 27 | #35,188 |
| 2001 | modern | 26 | #35,152 |
| 2002 | modern | 24 | #35,520 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 25 | #35,610 |
| 2005 | modern | 22 | #35,993 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 23 | #36,142 |
| 2008 | modern | 24 | #36,148 |
| 2009 | modern | 23 | #36,313 |
| 2010 | modern | 22 | #36,462 |
| 2011 | modern | 24 | #36,306 |
| 2012 | modern | 25 | #36,227 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 24 | #36,358 |
| 2015 | modern | 24 | #36,364 |
| 2016 | modern | 25 | #36,324 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around New Monkland, Rutherglen, Edinburgh, Greenock 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 | New Monkland | Lanark |
| 2 | Rutherglen | Lanark |
| 3 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 4 | Greenock | Renfrew |
| 5 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Cruthers 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 Cruthers, 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 Cruthers surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Cruthers 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, Cruthers 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 Cruthers is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Cruthers, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Cruthers is of Scottish origin, and it is believed to have originated in the region of Fife during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "cruther," which means a small harp or crowd. This suggests that the name may have been associated with someone who played a harp or a type of musical instrument.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Scottish census records from the 16th century. In the year 1547, a record mentions a John Cruthers, who was a resident of the town of Cupar in Fife. This provides evidence that the name was present in Scotland during that time.
Another historical reference to the name Cruthers can be found in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls, which were records of financial transactions and accounts maintained by the Scottish government in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the year 1329, a payment was made to a person named William Cruthers for his services as a messenger.
The name Cruthers has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such person was Robert Cruthers (1793-1878), a Scottish author and editor who was born in Houston, Renfrewshire. He is known for his literary works and contributions to various publications.
Another individual with the surname Cruthers was John Cruthers (1768-1846), a Scottish minister and theologian. He served as a minister in the Church of Scotland and was known for his writings on religious topics.
In the 17th century, there was a Richard Cruthers (1645-1705) who was a Scottish merchant and landowner. He owned properties in the town of Cupar and played a role in the local economy and society.
The name Cruthers has also been connected to certain place names in Scotland. For example, there is a village called Cruthers in the Scottish Borders region, which may have been named after an early settler with the same surname.
Throughout its history, the surname Cruthers has undergone various spelling variations, including Cruthirs, Cruters, and Crutters. These variations were likely due to differences in pronunciation and regional dialects within Scotland.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Cruthers 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. Lancashire leads with 22 Cruthers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.68x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 22 | 1.68x |
| Lanarkshire | 16 | 4.49x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 10 | 62.66x |
| Dunbartonshire | 9 | 30.38x |
| Durham | 9 | 2.74x |
| Midlothian | 9 | 6.10x |
| Fife | 8 | 12.26x |
| Argyllshire | 6 | 19.56x |
| Ayrshire | 5 | 6.06x |
| Dumfriesshire | 5 | 20.53x |
| Renfrewshire | 4 | 4.68x |
| Nottinghamshire | 2 | 1.35x |
| Angus | 1 | 0.98x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.41x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 0.80x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 1.05x |
| Inverness-shire | 1 | 3.04x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 0.61x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 2.46x |
| Wigtownshire | 1 | 6.83x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chadderton in Lancashire leads with 18 Cruthers' recorded in 1881 and an index of 281.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Chadderton | 18 | 281.69x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 8 | 13.47x |
| Terregles | 8 | 4444.44x |
| Bonhill | 6 | 126.32x |
| Burntisland | 6 | 329.67x |
| Dunoon | 6 | 952.38x |
| Govan | 6 | 6.81x |
| Bishop Auckland | 5 | 113.64x |
| Hedleyhope | 4 | 701.75x |
| Lochmaben | 4 | 373.83x |
| Rutherglen | 4 | 76.48x |
| West Greenock | 4 | 26.09x |
| Kilmarnock | 2 | 20.37x |
| Kirkbean | 2 | 645.16x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 2.52x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 2 | 5.20x |
| Scoonie | 2 | 141.84x |
| Stonehouse | 2 | 165.29x |
| Avondale | 1 | 48.08x |
| Ballantrae | 1 | 181.82x |
| Beaumont | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Birkenhead | 1 | 5.15x |
| Cadder | 1 | 38.02x |
| Colinton | 1 | 60.61x |
| Dalmellington | 1 | 41.15x |
| Dalrymple | 1 | 192.31x |
| Dunnichen | 1 | 185.19x |
| Elswick | 1 | 7.64x |
| Falmouth | 1 | 22.62x |
| Hamilton | 1 | 10.06x |
| Kilmaronock | 1 | 285.71x |
| Kirkintilloch | 1 | 24.88x |
| Manchester | 1 | 1.70x |
| Morton | 1 | 123.46x |
| Pettinain | 1 | 714.29x |
| Row | 1 | 26.11x |
| South Uist | 1 | 43.48x |
| Stirling | 1 | 19.49x |
| Stranraer | 1 | 74.63x |
| West Derby | 1 | 2.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Cruthers 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 Cruthers 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 Cruthers households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Labr At Bleach Works | 3 |
| A B | 1 |
| AB (MS) | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Dairymans Carter | 1 |
| Damper At Bleach Works | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Ag Lab) | 1 |
| Hosiers Assistant | 1 |
| Iron Worker | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lace Dresser | 1 |
| Lodgin House Keeper | 1 |
| Puddler | 1 |
| Seaman | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 114 people were recorded with the Cruthers surname. That placed it at #18,324 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 25 in 2016. That gives Cruthers a modern rank of #36,324.
A surname likely derived from a Scottish placename.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Cruthers 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.