NameCensus.

UK surname

Rycroft

From the Old English words "ryge" meaning rye and "croft" meaning small enclosed field.

In the 1881 census there were 857 people recorded with the Rycroft surname, ranking it #4,415 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 936, ranked #6,119, down from #4,415 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to West Derby, Bradford and Liverpool. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, Cheshire East and Leeds.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Rycroft is 1,050 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 9.2%.

1881 census count

857

Ranked #4,415

Modern count

936

2016, ranked #6,119

Peak year

1911

1,050 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Rycroft had 857 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,415 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 936 in 2016, ranked #6,119.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,050 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Rycroft surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Rycroft surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Rycroft 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 550 #4,603
1861 historical 555 #4,747
1881 historical 857 #4,415
1891 historical 940 #4,404
1901 historical 944 #4,958
1911 historical 1,050 #4,383
1997 modern 981 #5,592
1998 modern 1,028 #5,548
1999 modern 1,011 #5,667
2000 modern 1,014 #5,614
2001 modern 985 #5,641
2002 modern 1,022 #5,600
2003 modern 970 #5,735
2004 modern 984 #5,669
2005 modern 947 #5,799
2006 modern 942 #5,837
2007 modern 946 #5,873
2008 modern 947 #5,893
2009 modern 975 #5,881
2010 modern 997 #5,893
2011 modern 967 #5,978
2012 modern 945 #6,008
2013 modern 959 #6,024
2014 modern 967 #6,033
2015 modern 943 #6,102
2016 modern 936 #6,119

Geography

Back to top

Where Rycrofts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around West Derby, Bradford, Liverpool, Whalley and Leeds. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Shropshire, Cheshire East, Leeds and Lancaster. 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 West Derby Lancashire
2 Bradford Yorkshire, West Riding
3 Liverpool Lancashire
4 Whalley Lancashire
5 Leeds Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Shropshire 001 Shropshire
2 Cheshire East 004 Cheshire East
3 Leeds 101 Leeds
4 Lancaster 002 Lancaster
5 Leeds 112 Leeds

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Rycroft

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Rycroft

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

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Rycroft surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Rycroft household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

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, Rycroft 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

Rycroft 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

Rycroft falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Rycroft 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 - British

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

Meaning and origin of Rycroft

The surname Rycroft originated in England, with its roots dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "ryge" and "croft," meaning "rye" and "small enclosed field," respectively. This suggests that the name was originally given to someone who lived near or worked on a field where rye was cultivated.

The earliest recorded instances of the Rycroft name can be found in various historical documents, such as the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century. The name was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, including Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Westmorland.

In the 13th century, the Rycroft name appeared in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire, which were legal records documenting court proceedings. This indicates that the name was well-established in the region during this time period.

One of the earliest known bearers of the Rycroft name was John de Rycroft, who was mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1327. This tax record provides valuable insights into the distribution of the name across different areas.

Over the centuries, the Rycroft name has seen various spelling variations, including Rycroft, Ryecroft, Ricroft, and Ricroft. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the scribes who recorded them.

One notable figure in history bearing the Rycroft name was Sir Richard Rycroft (1572-1634), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for the borough of Appleby in Westmorland. He played a role in the English Civil War, supporting the Royalist cause.

Another notable Rycroft was William Rycroft (1786-1862), a British mathematician and astronomer. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits.

In the 18th century, the Rycroft family established themselves in the city of Leeds, where they became prominent merchants and industrialists. Benjamin Rycroft (1725-1799) was a successful wool merchant and a prominent figure in the city's commerce.

The Rycroft name also has connections to the literary world. William Rycroft (1789-1861) was an English poet and clergyman known for his religious and philosophical writings.

Lastly, Maximilian Rycroft (1849-1925) was a British architect who designed several notable buildings in London, including the Royal Automobile Club and the London Trocadero.

While these are just a few examples, the Rycroft name has a rich history spanning centuries, with bearers making contributions in various fields, from politics and academia to business and literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Rycroft families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Rycroft 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. Lancashire leads with 280 Rycrofts recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.82x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 280 2.82x
Yorkshire 273 3.29x
Cheshire 69 3.73x
Middlesex 38 0.45x
Northamptonshire 29 3.68x
Durham 27 1.08x
Staffordshire 17 0.60x
Cumberland 14 1.94x
Essex 12 0.73x
Kent 12 0.42x
Northumberland 12 0.96x
Derbyshire 10 0.76x
Surrey 10 0.25x
Lincolnshire 9 0.67x
Hampshire 8 0.47x
Sussex 7 0.50x
Herefordshire 6 1.75x
Nottinghamshire 6 0.53x
Hertfordshire 5 0.87x
Angus 3 0.39x
Buckinghamshire 2 0.40x
Gloucestershire 2 0.12x
Somerset 2 0.15x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.30x
Midlothian 1 0.09x
Royal Navy 1 1.00x
Warwickshire 1 0.05x
Westmorland 1 0.54x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Colne in Lancashire leads with 59 Rycrofts recorded in 1881 and an index of 199.39x.

Place Total Index
Colne 59 199.39x
Great Little Marsden 58 127.50x
West Derby 55 18.93x
Manningham 39 38.17x
Horton In Bradford 23 17.76x
Hunslet 23 17.79x
Bradford 21 10.46x
Liverpool 16 2.65x
Shipley 16 37.17x
Idle 14 36.40x
Wortley In Bramley 14 21.31x
Cheetham 13 17.55x
Burnley 12 14.35x
Shildon 12 59.97x
Toxteth Park 12 3.57x
Birkenhead 11 7.47x
Bradford Girlington 11 296.50x
Leeds 11 2.35x
Peterborough 11 19.30x
Dunham Massey 10 176.68x
Elswick 10 10.06x
Oldham 10 3.12x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 10 25.95x
Stockport 10 10.52x
Chester St John Baptist 9 27.10x
Nassington 9 439.02x
Bethnal Green London 8 2.20x
Bridlington 8 42.13x
Castle Church 8 47.11x
Eldon 8 203.05x
Skipton 8 30.65x
Sutton In Keighley 8 170.21x
Holbeck 7 12.74x
Murton In York 7 1372.55x
Oundle 7 79.55x
Salford 7 2.40x
St George Hanover 7 6.41x
Trawden 7 112.72x
Alverthorpe Cum Thornes 6 19.92x
Chesterfield 6 12.22x
Crook Billy Row 6 18.81x
Harwich St Nicholas 6 47.02x
Ross 6 43.96x
Sheffield 6 2.27x
St Cuthbert W O Upperby 6 304.57x
Stretford 6 10.98x
Wolstanton 6 6.99x
Bowling 5 6.09x
Cheadle 5 14.17x
Cheshunt 5 24.79x
Chevening 5 160.77x
Dalston 5 89.77x
Great Grimsby 5 5.89x
Habergham Eaves 5 5.51x
Hastings St Mary 5 14.24x
Little Bentley 5 555.56x
Newington 5 1.62x
Oare 5 342.47x
Fulham London 4 3.30x
Glossop Dale 4 6.52x
Great Boughton 4 62.79x
Metheringham 4 74.77x
Morley 4 9.28x
North Meols 4 4.11x
Pudsey 4 9.02x
Shadwell London 4 17.08x
St Nicholas 4 396.04x
Tong 4 24.97x
Wakefield 4 6.28x
Addingham 3 48.39x
Dummer 3 267.86x
East Retford 3 30.64x
Hipperholme Cum 3 8.23x
Lambeth 3 0.41x
Monks Coppenhall 3 4.30x
St Luke London 3 2.23x
St Vigeans 3 7.17x
Timperley 3 46.73x
Upton In Chester 3 144.93x
Whittington 3 51.90x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 53
William 47
Thomas 38
Henry 23
James 18
George 16
Joseph 13
Edward 12
Robert 12
Richard 10
Charles 9
Fred 7
Arthur 6
Harry 6
Albert 5
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Joshua 5
Walter 5
Benjamin 4
Samuel 4
Willie 4
Ernest 3
Fredk. 3
Benjn. 2
Christopher 2
Edwin 2
Francis 2
Henery 2
Herbert 2
Jacob 2
Jno. 2
Mark 2
Martin 2
Nelson 2
Robinson 2
Roger 2
Saml. 2
Samual 2
Thos. 2
Daniel 1
David 1
Dennis 1
Evelyn 1
Foles 1
Frank 1
Geo.Wm. 1
Lawrence 1
Levi 1
Zachary 1

FAQ

Rycroft surname: questions and answers

How common was the Rycroft surname in 1881?

In 1881, 857 people were recorded with the Rycroft surname. That placed it at #4,415 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Rycroft surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 936 in 2016. That gives Rycroft a modern rank of #6,119.

What does the Rycroft surname mean?

From the Old English words "ryge" meaning rye and "croft" meaning small enclosed field.

What does the Rycroft map show?

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