Raycroft
A locational surname referring to someone from a place with a croft (small farm) near a ray (clearing).
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 171 Americans carry the last name Raycroft. That puts it at #121,590 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.05 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,004,411 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Raycroft surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
171
1 in 2,004,411
Census rank
#121,590
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
142
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 142 bearers of the surname Raycroft in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 121590th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Raycroft, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Raycroft
The surname Raycroft has its origins in England, emerging during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from a place name, suggesting that the earliest bearers of this surname hailed from a specific locality. One theory traces its roots to a location known as "Ray's Croft," which may have referred to a small farm or land holding owned by an individual named Ray.
In the Domesday Book, a renowned survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, there are records of several places that could potentially be the source of the Raycroft name. For instance, the village of Raithby in Lincolnshire and the hamlet of Raycroft in Lancashire have been proposed as possible origins.
The earliest documented instances of the Raycroft surname can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. One notable example is a charter from the reign of King Edward I, dated 1272, which mentions a John de Raycroft from Derbyshire. Another early reference comes from the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1332, where a Thomas de Raycroft is recorded.
Throughout the centuries, the Raycroft surname has been subject to various spelling variations, reflecting regional dialects and scribal interpretations. Some of these variations include Raycrofte, Raycroft, Raycrofts, and Raycroft-Crosby.
Amongst the notable individuals bearing the Raycroft surname, one can mention:
1. Sir John Raycroft (c. 1570-1632), an English landowner and member of parliament from Lincolnshire.
2. Reverend William Raycroft (1623-1677), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Geddington, Northamptonshire.
3. Elizabeth Raycroft (1736-1806), a British philanthropist and social reformer known for her work in establishing charitable institutions.
4. George Raycroft (1815-1895), a British architect renowned for his work on churches and public buildings in London.
5. Sir Thomas Raycroft (1858-1927), a British industrialist and politician who served as a member of parliament for several constituencies in Lancashire.
While the Raycroft surname may not be as widely recognized as some others, its long history and diverse bearers have contributed to the rich tapestry of English heritage and culture.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Raycroft
Among Census respondents with the surname Raycroft, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%.
The bar chart below shows how Raycroft bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Raycroft surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Raycroft surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #121,590 | #121,590 | 0.0% |
| Count | 142 | 142 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Raycroft bearers went from 142 to 142 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #121,590 to #121,590.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Raycroft
FAQ
Raycroft surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Raycroft?
The surname Raycroft holds position #121,590 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 171 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.05 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Raycroft surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Raycroft, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.5%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.