NameCensus.

UK surname

Decruz

A Spanish surname derived from "de la Cruz" meaning "of the cross".

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Decruz surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 185, ranked #20,652, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St. Helens, Wycombe and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Decruz is 196 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9150.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

185

2016, ranked #20,652

Peak year

2015

196 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Decruz had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016, ranked #20,652.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 17 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Decruz surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Decruz surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Decruz 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 3 #32,890
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 14 #32,506
1911 historical 17 #31,675
1997 modern 150 #21,119
1998 modern 168 #20,181
1999 modern 175 #19,798
2000 modern 167 #20,332
2001 modern 167 #20,060
2002 modern 171 #20,177
2003 modern 161 #20,697
2004 modern 166 #20,441
2005 modern 161 #20,799
2006 modern 167 #20,447
2007 modern 164 #20,973
2008 modern 163 #21,238
2009 modern 167 #21,383
2010 modern 174 #21,259
2011 modern 178 #20,809
2012 modern 180 #20,606
2013 modern 192 #20,067
2014 modern 193 #20,159
2015 modern 196 #19,840
2016 modern 185 #20,652

Geography

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Where Decruz' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St. Helens, Wycombe, Harrow, Lambeth and Sunderland. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St. Helens 014 St. Helens
2 Wycombe 003 Wycombe
3 Harrow 013 Harrow
4 Lambeth 034 Lambeth
5 Sunderland 003 Sunderland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Decruz

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Decruz

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Decruz surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Decruz 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Decruz is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Decruz is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Decruz falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Decruz is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

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

Meaning and origin of Decruz

The surname DeCruz is of Portuguese origin and can be traced back to the 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the Portuguese phrase "da cruz," which translates to "of the cross." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name may have been associated with the Christian cross, possibly as crusaders or members of a religious order.

The name DeCruz first appeared in historical records in Portugal during the Age of Discovery, a period marked by significant Portuguese exploration and colonization efforts around the world. As Portuguese explorers and settlers ventured to various parts of the globe, the name DeCruz likely spread to other regions through migration and intermarriage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name DeCruz can be found in the 16th century chronicles of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama's voyages to India. These chronicles mention a Portuguese navigator named João DeCruz, who accompanied da Gama on his second voyage to India in 1502.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name DeCruz began to appear in records from various Portuguese colonies, including Brazil, India, and parts of Africa. For example, João DeCruz, a Portuguese settler born in 1623, is known to have established a successful sugar plantation in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco.

In the 19th century, several notable individuals bearing the surname DeCruz left their mark in various fields. Manuel DeCruz (1792-1869) was a prominent Brazilian writer and abolitionist who campaigned against slavery. Luís DeCruz (1810-1888), a Portuguese-born architect, designed several iconic buildings in Goa, India, including the Church of St. Cajetan.

Other notable individuals with the surname DeCruz include Pedro DeCruz (1858-1932), a Mexican diplomat who served as ambassador to several countries, and José DeCruz (1892-1962), a renowned Portuguese painter known for his landscapes and portraits.

Throughout history, variations in spelling, such as Da Cruz, DaCruz, and De Cruz, have also been observed, reflecting the name's evolution and adaptation across different regions and languages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Decruz families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Decruz 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. Royal Navy leads with 2 Decruz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 434.78x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 2 434.78x
Essex 1 13.04x
Kent 1 7.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Royal Navy in Royal Navy leads with 2 Decruz' recorded in 1881 and an index of 500.00x.

Place Total Index
Royal Navy 2 500.00x
Deptford St Paul 1 98.04x
East Ham 1 714.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Emily 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Domingo 1
John 1
Sebastian 1

Top occupations

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 Decruz households.

FAQ

Decruz surname: questions and answers

How common was the Decruz surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Decruz surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Decruz surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 185 in 2016. That gives Decruz a modern rank of #20,652.

What does the Decruz surname mean?

A Spanish surname derived from "de la Cruz" meaning "of the cross".

What does the Decruz map show?

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