NameCensus.

UK surname

Wheatcroft

A locational surname referring to someone living near a wheat farm or wheat-producing area.

In the 1881 census there were 897 people recorded with the Wheatcroft surname, ranking it #4,245 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,322, ranked #4,541, down from #4,245 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Matlock, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bolsover, Chesterfield and Hyndburn.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wheatcroft is 1,482 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 47.4%.

1881 census count

897

Ranked #4,245

Modern count

1,322

2016, ranked #4,541

Peak year

1999

1,482 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wheatcroft had 897 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,245 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,322 in 2016, ranked #4,541.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,338 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Wheatcroft surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wheatcroft surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Wheatcroft 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 622 #4,153
1861 historical 634 #4,226
1881 historical 897 #4,245
1891 historical 976 #4,238
1901 historical 1,130 #4,293
1911 historical 1,338 #3,576
1997 modern 1,434 #4,062
1998 modern 1,467 #4,126
1999 modern 1,482 #4,130
2000 modern 1,470 #4,131
2001 modern 1,443 #4,111
2002 modern 1,465 #4,144
2003 modern 1,417 #4,179
2004 modern 1,388 #4,255
2005 modern 1,352 #4,306
2006 modern 1,364 #4,284
2007 modern 1,356 #4,343
2008 modern 1,365 #4,339
2009 modern 1,394 #4,346
2010 modern 1,420 #4,360
2011 modern 1,395 #4,368
2012 modern 1,372 #4,377
2013 modern 1,388 #4,406
2014 modern 1,374 #4,461
2015 modern 1,326 #4,558
2016 modern 1,322 #4,541

Geography

Back to top

Where Wheatcrofts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Matlock, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, St Werburgh and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bolsover, Chesterfield, Hyndburn, Amber Valley and North East Derbyshire. 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 Matlock Derbyshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Werburgh Derbyshire
5 Manchester Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bolsover 010 Bolsover
2 Chesterfield 002 Chesterfield
3 Hyndburn 002 Hyndburn
4 Amber Valley 002 Amber Valley
5 North East Derbyshire 013 North East Derbyshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Wheatcroft

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Wheatcroft

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Wheatcroft is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Wheatcroft 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

Wheatcroft falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Wheatcroft

The surname Wheatcroft originated in England, and it is believed to date back to the medieval period. Specifically, it is thought to have emerged in the region of Derbyshire, an area known for its agricultural landscapes. Wheatcroft is a locational surname derived from the Old English words hwæte, meaning wheat, and croft, meaning a small enclosed field or piece of arable land. This suggests that the original bearers of the name likely lived near or owned a small field where wheat was grown.

The earliest records of the surname Wheatcroft are found in medieval manuscripts and local records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable historical reference is found in the Assize Rolls of Derbyshire in 1250, where a Robert de Hwetecroft is mentioned. This indicates the name was already established in the area and showcases the typical spelling variations found in early records.

Several notable individuals have borne the surname Wheatcroft throughout history. One of the earliest recorded examples is John Wheatcroft, born in 1548 in Derbyshire. His name appears in parish records, indicating his active role in the community. Another notable figure is Thomas Wheatcroft, born in 1650, who gained recognition as a local landowner and contributed to the agricultural development of the area.

Elisabeth Wheatcroft, born in 1720 in Nottinghamshire, also stands out in the historical records. She became known for her charitable works and involvement in the local church, highlighting the family's ongoing connection to their communities. Additionally, James Wheatcroft, born in 1792, was a prominent figure during the industrial revolution, contributing to developments in agricultural machinery and techniques.

In the realm of literature and culture, Geoffrey Wheatcroft, born in 1944 but worth mentioning for his historical significance, is a modern-day descendant who has contributed to historical and political discourse through his writings. His works include detailed explorations of British history and politics, thus continuing the legacy of the surname into contemporary times.

Throughout its history, the name Wheatcroft has been associated with the rural and agricultural heritage of England. The evolution of its spelling and presence in various records reflects the changes in the English language and society over the centuries. From medieval farmers to modern intellectuals, the Wheatcroft surname has been carried by individuals who have left their mark on history in diverse ways.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Wheatcroft families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wheatcroft 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. Derbyshire leads with 292 Wheatcrofts recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.29x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 292 21.29x
Yorkshire 167 1.92x
Nottinghamshire 107 9.06x
Lancashire 53 0.51x
Lincolnshire 37 2.64x
Staffordshire 37 1.25x
Surrey 34 0.80x
Middlesex 33 0.38x
Worcestershire 23 2.01x
Hampshire 18 1.00x
Durham 15 0.58x
Warwickshire 15 0.68x
Gloucestershire 14 0.81x
Northamptonshire 10 1.21x
Cheshire 8 0.41x
Glamorgan 8 0.52x
Sussex 7 0.47x
Leicestershire 6 0.62x
Devon 5 0.27x
Suffolk 3 0.28x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.36x
Berkshire 1 0.15x
Norfolk 1 0.07x
Northumberland 1 0.08x
Somerset 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 52 Wheatcrofts recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.03x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 52 17.03x
Chesterfield 37 71.97x
Ecclesall Bierlow 28 15.86x
Matlock 23 124.93x
Sheffield 23 8.32x
Derby St Werburgh 22 27.78x
Brampton 21 109.55x
Brightside Bierlow 21 12.33x
Gorton 17 17.40x
Harborne 16 16.88x
St Pancras London 15 2.13x
Burton Upon Trent 13 18.79x
Sculcoates 13 9.45x
Wessington 13 706.52x
Alfreton 12 28.80x
Balderton 12 371.52x
Derby St Alkmund 12 29.20x
Laughton En Le Morthen 12 600.00x
Newark Upon Trent 12 28.28x
Ebrington 11 674.85x
Horsley 11 133.33x
Nether Hallam 11 9.37x
Wingfield South 11 298.91x
Basford 10 18.38x
Little Chester 10 581.40x
Bardney 9 215.31x
Litchurch 9 16.31x
Portsea 9 2.56x
Derby St Peter 8 18.32x
Southwark St Saviour 8 17.77x
Sutton Stoneferry 8 32.21x
Waldridge 8 183.49x
Battersea 7 2.17x
Birmingham 7 0.95x
Chester St Mary On Hill 7 42.19x
Evesham All Sts 7 131.33x
Hasland 7 50.14x
Holmside 7 109.03x
Ilkeston 7 18.21x
North Wingfield 7 114.19x
Openshaw 7 14.38x
Belper 6 22.56x
Blockley 6 92.74x
Bonsall 6 147.78x
Bretforton 6 355.03x
Kirkdale 6 3.43x
Leeds 6 1.22x
Newbold Dunston 6 46.05x
Northampton Priory St 6 12.14x
Repton 6 115.83x
Ripley 6 35.40x
St John Lincoln 6 400.00x
Wirksworth 6 48.12x
Ashby De La Zouch 5 22.21x
Ault Hucknall 5 222.22x
Bedworth 5 31.02x
Bethnal Green London 5 1.31x
Buxton 5 43.07x
Fairfield 5 54.53x
Hackney London 5 1.02x
Hulme 5 2.30x
Kingston On Thames 5 4.88x
Portsmouth 5 12.09x
Rewe 5 588.24x
St Swithin Lincoln 5 22.71x
Bestwood Park 4 191.39x
Crich 4 44.69x
Farnborough 4 21.21x
Great Grimsby 4 4.50x
Heeley 4 15.16x
Lichfield St Michael 4 43.10x
Nottingham St Peter 4 30.40x
Rawcliffe In Goole 4 80.97x
Sidlesham 4 140.85x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 2.27x
Staveley 4 16.43x
Sutton 4 40.44x
Wortley In Bramley 4 5.82x
York St Mary 4 11.13x
Claylane 3 15.74x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 60
Sarah 52
Elizabeth 36
Eliza 21
Ellen 18
Hannah 16
Ann 15
Jane 14
Martha 13
Emma 12
Alice 11
Annie 11
Lucy 7
Ada 6
Emily 6
Maria 6
Charlotte 5
Kate 5
Agnes 4
Anne 4
Clara 4
Harriet 4
Harriett 4
Louisa 4
Caroline 3
Fanny 3
Flora 3
Frances 3
Isabella 3
Lily 3
Lydia 3
Rose 3
Amelia 2
Betsy 2
Catherine 2
Edith 2
Florence 2
Lilly 2
Margaret 2
Margt. 2
Matilda 2
Rebecca 2
Sara 2
Selina 2
Thirza 2
E.May 1
Elizth. 1
Ellenor 1
Hester 1
Hetty 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 61
John 52
George 37
Samuel 28
Henry 24
Joseph 19
Thomas 19
Edward 17
James 17
Arthur 11
Frederick 10
Charles 9
Herbert 8
Alfred 6
Harry 6
Robert 5
Walter 5
Wm. 5
Frank 4
Leonard 4
Nathaniel 4
Thos. 4
Albert 3
Benjamin 3
Edwin 3
Ernest 3
Matthew 3
Saml. 3
Tom 3
Abner 2
Absalom 2
Anthony 2
Edmund 2
German 2
Hugh 2
Orlando 2
Oswald 2
Percy 2
Peter 2
Richard 2
Sam 2
Alexandra 1
Arnold 1
Edwd. 1
Elam 1
Elisha 1
Emmanuelle 1
Frances 1
Hoyland 1
Hubert 1

FAQ

Wheatcroft surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wheatcroft surname in 1881?

In 1881, 897 people were recorded with the Wheatcroft surname. That placed it at #4,245 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wheatcroft surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,322 in 2016. That gives Wheatcroft a modern rank of #4,541.

What does the Wheatcroft surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone living near a wheat farm or wheat-producing area.

What does the Wheatcroft map show?

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