I believe croquet-type games were played in more primitive fashions and under different names, much earlier, but the game, as it is played today (at least according to Jaques of London), started in 1851.
Ping-Pong didn't arrive until 1902.
Where chess and tiddly-winks meet
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May 1, 2015
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It seems that competition was fierce, and for several years, starting in 1888, other game publishers launched their own versions of tiddly winks using names such as Spoof, Flipperty Flop, Jumpkins, Golfette, Maro and Flutter. It became one of the most popular crazes during the 1890s, played by both adults and children.
I always thought ping-pong was invented in China. And croquet in France.
I had posted this as a response to another posting elsewhere and thought it may be interesting to some people.
The first international chess tournament was arranged by Howard Staunton and played concurrent with the Great Expositon of London in 1851.
A couple years before, actually as preparations were being made for the about tournament, Staunton had lent his name to the style of pieces created by Nathaniel Cook and manufactured and sold by Jaques of London (Jaques & Son), a game company. Staunton chess pieces are standard tournament equipment.
During the Great Exposition, John Jaques maintained a stand where he introduced the world to his newest creations: croquet and Snakes and Ladders.
Croquet, the version used today, was, in fact, invented by the "son" from "Jaques & Son," John II, and won a gold medal at the Exposition. Jaques of London would later invent an immensely popular game called Gossima which they renamed Ping-Pong.
Jaques of London continues to manufacture traditional games and chess sets reputedly of the highest quality.