Surname Crowther - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Genetic Ties of the Crowther Clan: A Personal Journey through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Taking the iGENEA DNA test was like embarking on an unexpectedly thrilling journey into my genealogical roots. The analysis not only endowed me with a rich understanding of my English surname Crowther but also revealed my direct connection to the Anglo-Saxons.

X. Crowther

Crowther: What does the surname Crowther mean?

The last name Crowther is of English origin. It is a topographical surname that is derived from an occupational name for a person who acquired their name from living or working on a hill or mount. It is derived from the Old English word “croua” which means hill, mound, or tomb.

Crowther is likely a locative name that refers to one who hail from a place called Crowther or lived near a hill referred to as a crowther. Alternatively, it may describe someone who lived on a hill or mount.

Historically, Crowther may have been used as a nickname for someone with a bald or balding head, since crowther meant ‘bald mountain' in Old English.

Crowther is also an Anglicized form of the Irish surname O’Cruthir, which comes from the Gaelic elements “cruth” or “crots” which means form or figure and “ir” meaning lord or chief.

Today, the surname Crowther is still relatively common in England and Wales, as well as in Ireland and Scotland. Those who carry the name are likely direct descendants of the early English settlers of the region as well as the Irish clan Chief O’Cruthir.

Crowther: Where does the name Crowther come from?

The last name Crowther is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in the North West. The surname is of Northern English origin and is derived from an Old Norse given name of ‘Krautha’ or ‘Kroutha’.

Crowther first appeared in the late 12th century in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the name has gradually spread to other parts of England and then Scotland, Ireland and Wales. According to records, today the greatest concentration of the surname can be found in Lancashire, Sheffield and Yorkshire.

It’s also found in other parts of the British Isles and beyond, with the surname also commonly found in the United States. It’s estimated that there are about 5,000 ‘Crowthers’ living in the US today.

The surname is also popular in Australia. According to various records, there are an estimated 1,000 people bearing the name living in the country today. The surname is also common in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and other European countries, including Norway and Denmark.

Overall, the surname is one of the more common British surnames, but today is most prevalent in England in the North West.

Variations of the surname Crowther

The surname Crowther is an Anglicized version of the German surname Kreutzer or Krutzer. It is also spelled without the “h” as Crowter. It is a name with origins in the Middle Ages, representing the occupation of a potter or one who worked with clay. It has its root in the 13th-century Old High German phrase “krouwaz” (“to fashion out of clay”).

Variants of the surname Crowther include Krawther, Kröter, Kroutzer, Kroutser, Kretzer, Kritzler, Kretzmer, Kreutzer, Kreuser, Kretzer, Krouwtzer, Kretzler, Kreuther, Kroutter, Kreuzter, Crother, Kroner, and Kruter.

Many spelling variations of the name Crowther exist, each with a distinct origin, and each recorded in different archives and databases.

Many European families of the same name may be descended from different Germanic tribes or settlements. These families are descended from the same ancestors, but they adopted the spelling of their surname from different countries.

Surnames of similar origin to Crowther include Kratz, Kreutzen, Kreischer, Kritzler, Kresge, Krauter, Krause, Kreutzer, Kreiter, Krutsinger, Krautman, Kreuzer, Krauthammer, Kreider, Krueger, Kreis, Kraker, Krayser, Krase, Kratzke, Krepser, and Krausser.

In conclusion, the surname Crowther is derived from the old Germanic phrase “krouwaz”, meaning “to fashion out of clay”. It has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin, each with its distinct origin and family background.

Famous people with the name Crowther

• Roger Crowther: British Conservative politician who was a Member of Parliament for York.
• Harry Crowther: British actor who has starred in many productions from musicals to pantomimes.
• Mela Crowther: British actress best known for starring in the film, The Ladykillers (1955).
• Charles Crowther: British civil engineer who designed many of Britain’s railways during the 19th century.
• William Crowther: American computer scientist and programmer who developed the first text-based computer game, Adventure, in the 1970s.
• Lyman B. Crowther: American banker and philanthropist who was a major benefactor of Cornell University.
• Peter Crowther: British science fiction and fantasy author who has written multiple novels and short stories.
• Billy Joe Crowther: English association football player who played for several teams in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Richard Crowther: British surgeon who was the President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England from 1909-1911.
• Patti Smith-Crowther: American author and poet who wrote the best-selling book, Just Kids (2010).

Other surnames

Crowthers