Find out how popular the last name Holcroft is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Holcroft.

Holcroft, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Holcroft surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Holcroft in America

Holcroft is the 83226th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Holcroft surname appeared 226 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Holcroft.

We can also compare 2010 data for Holcroft to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Holcroft

The surname Holcroft is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English words 'holh' meaning a hollow or sunken place, and 'croft' signifying a small enclosed field or dwelling. Initially, the name likely referred to someone who lived in or near a hollowed-out or sunken area with cultivated land.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Holecroft'. This comprehensive survey of landholdings in England, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of surnames during that era.

By the 13th century, the name had evolved into various spellings, including Holcroft, Holcrofte, and Holcrofte. These variations reflect the fluid nature of surname spellings in medieval times, often influenced by regional dialects and scribal interpretations.

In the 14th century, records show a John Holcroft as the owner of land in Lancashire, England. This suggests that the Holcroft family may have had roots in that region, where the name was likely associated with specific place names or geographic features.

One notable individual bearing the Holcroft name was Sir Thomas Holcroft (1505-1558), an English soldier and diplomat who served under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He played a significant role in the Anglo-Scottish Wars and held various prestigious positions, including Lord Warden of the West Marches.

Another prominent figure was Gervase Holcroft (1627-1689), an English minister and academic who served as the Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was known for his literary works and his contributions to the study of theology and philosophy.

In the realm of literature, Thomas Holcroft (1745-1809) was a celebrated playwright, novelist, and translator during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His works, including comedies and translations of works by German and French authors, earned him a reputation as a significant figure in the English literary scene.

The name Holcroft also gained prominence in the field of science with Sir Thomas Holcroft (1755-1809), an English inventor and engineer. He made significant contributions to the development of steam engines and held several patents for his innovative designs.

Lastly, the 19th century saw the rise of Sir Henry Holcroft (1839-1923), a British naval officer and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Second Naval Lord, overseeing the administration of the Royal Navy.

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals bearing the Holcroft surname, which has endured through the centuries as a testament to its English origins and the varied accomplishments of those who have carried it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Holcroft

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Holcroft.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Holcroft was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Holcroft has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Holcroft was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Holcroft, please contact us.

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