Surname Cracroft - Meaning and Origin
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Cracroft: What does the surname Cracroft mean?
The last name Cracroft is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English 'cric' and 'croft', meaning a rocky hill or small crag. The name is believed to refer to someone who lived on such a rocky hill or crag, or to someone who was in charge of one. The name may also be a combination of the Old English 'cric', meaning a rock, with the Old English 'croft', meaning an enclose space such as a field or pasture.
Cracroft is a fairly uncommon English surname, distributed mainly in England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States. It has also been referenced in records in Scotland as Craicroft, which is likely an alternate spelling.
The earliest known Cracroft ancestor dates back to the 12th century in Yorkshire, England. The most prominent Cracroft ancestor was Admiral Sir Edward Bridges Cracroft (1742–1824), a famous British Navy officer who led many successful naval battles during the Napoleonic Wars.
A Cracroft family coat of arms is registered with the College of Arms in London, and another version of the coat of arms exists that was likely bestowed upon a branch of the family that emigrated to North America. The Cracrofts were a prominent noble family in the 17th century.
In modern times, the Cracroft name could be encountered in a variety of professions and vocations, from professional chefs to soldiers, singers, and actors. There are also numerous politicians, authors, and academics bearing the Cracroft name.
Order DNA origin analysisCracroft: Where does the name Cracroft come from?
The last name Cracroft is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. Early records of the surname trace its use back to families in Dorset, West Midlands, and Devon. Those bearing the surname are believed to have origins in the region.
In 1901, the highest concentration of the Cracroft surname was recorded in the United Kingdom in the counties of Devon, Somerset, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire. Since that time, the name has become more spread out throughout England with its highest occurrences in Devon, Cumbria, and Lincolnshire.
The name is also found to a lesser degree in Australia, Canada, and the United States. In America, the largest population of Cracrofts can be found in California.
Throughout modern history, individuals bearing the Cracroft surname have been well-known in fields such as politics, art, literature, and theatre. Some notable bearers include the Canadian businessman and philanthropist Paul Cracroft, the British actor Charles Cracroft, and the American banker Charles Cracroft.
In summary, the last name Cracroft is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Devon, Cumbria, and Lincolnshire. It is also found to a lesser degree in countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Cracroft
The surname Cracroft is derived from the Old Norse words “kraka”, which means crow, and “croft”, which means a small piece of cultivated land. It is thought to have originated in England in the Middle Ages. It is also found in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.
Common variants for the surname Cracroft include Crockcroft, Crackcroft, Crockroft, Crackroft, count Cracroft, Crackskroft, and Craxcroft. Other spellings include Crakcroft, Crackcroft, Cromskroft, and Crakerhoft.
Surnames with similar origins and meanings include Kracken, Krackert, Krakow, and Krakauer, which are derived from the Old German word “krakke” which means crow. Servant, Caraway, Carlisle, and Crowfoot are other surnames with similar origins and meanings.
The name Cracroft has a long history and is associated with several notable people including the British statesman Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, who had the middle name Cracroft. Other historical figures include Sir Christopher Cracroft, a Welsh nobleman, and Sir Robert Cracroft, an English army officer.
Today, the surname Cracroft is found in countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Variants and similar surnames can also be found in countries with large numbers of immigrants, such as South Africa and the Philippines.
Famous people with the name Cracroft
- Sir Brian Cracroft-Watson, British aircraft engineer and aviator;
- Philip Cracroft, musical arranger, producer, songwriter and guitarist;
- Diana Cracroft, British actress;
- Lady Katy Cracroft, British flight attendant;
- Juliet Cracroft, British model;
- Sir David Cracroft, British peer;
- Lord Edward Cracroft, British businessman and philanthropist;
- Wendy Cracroft, British painter;
- William Cracroft, British artist;
- Emily Cracroft, British actress;
- Chris Cracroft, creator of the website ‘Sharon’s Gourmet’;
- Darren Cracroft, English footballer;
- Maria Cracroft, British actress;
- Frances Cracroft, British novelist;
- Miriam Cracroft, British singer.