- Mary Smith – The narrator, a frequent visitor of the Jenkyns family and Miss Pole.
- Miss Deborah Jenkyns – The domineering elder daughter of the former rector.
- Miss Matty Jenkyns – The rector's younger daughter.
- Peter Jenkyns – The son of the family, who ran away from home and eventually settled in India.
- Miss Pole – The town gossip, Miss Matty's friend.
- The Honourable Mrs Jamieson – As daughter of a governor and the widowed daughter-in-law of a baron, she is considered Cranford's social arbiter.
- Mrs Forrester – Another widow who, as an officer's daughter and the widow of a major, is accepted into the Cranford social circle.
- Miss Fitz-Adam – Mr Hoggins' sister, a wealthy widow who is regarded by Mrs Jamieson as her social inferior.
- Lady Glenmire – Mrs. Jamieson's widowed sister-in-law, who does not share her social prejudices.
- Betty Barker – A retired milliner to the gentry, once employed as a maid by Mrs Jamieson.
- Captain Brown – A half-pay army captain, who comes to live at Cranford with his two daughters.
- Thomas Holbrook – Miss Pole's cousin, a successful farmer who was once Miss Matty's suitor.
- Dr Hoggins – As the Cranford surgeon he is of uncertain social status and is discriminated against because of his "vulgar" surname.
- Mr Smith – A wealthy Drumble businessman and Mary's father.
- Martha – Miss Matty's devoted maid.
- Jem Hearn – A joiner, Martha's fiancé.
- Mr Mulliner – Mrs. Jamieson's butler.
- Signor Brunoni – Stage name of the travelling magician, a former soldier.
- Signora Brunoni – His wife, who accompanied him when his regiment was sent to India.
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