Surname Crank - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Crank: What does the surname Crank mean?
"Crank" is an English surname that originates from Lancashire, England, and it has two main theories regarding its meaning.
The first theory suggests it comes from the Old English word "crinc," which means "twist" or "curve", and it was likely used as a nickname for an individual with an unusual physical characteristic, perhaps a deformity, or derived from a person's occupation that involved turning or twisting objects, such as a weaver. The second theory is that it could have been a locational surname for someone who lived near a bend or a steep place, from the Old English word "cranuc," meaning a bend or a angle.
These variations of the name show how it could be a topographic surname, occupational surname, or a nickname. It's important to remember that the origins of surnames are often traced back hundreds of years and can sometimes be based on outdated language or cultural references.
Order DNA origin analysisCrank: Where does the name Crank come from?
The surname Crank is of Anglo-Saxon origin, predominantly from the English Midlands, and it is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cranuc," meaning "crane." It was most likely used as a topographic name for someone living by a crane-infested creek or a nickname for a person with long legs or a long neck like a crane. The surname first appeared in written records in the 13th century. The surname variant Crank was first recorded in 1559 in Warwickshire. Crank families were found in Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire in the 19th century.
Today, the surname Crank is most commonly found in the United States, England, and Australia. According to Forebears, it is most prevalent in the United States, with the highest density in Kentucky. In England, Lancashire remains a common location. Despite its origins, the name Crank is not very common even in these regions. There are about 11,000 people with the Crank surname globally, making it the 20,000th most common surname in the world.
Variations of the surname Crank
The surname Crank is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin and have multiple variants and spellings. Some of the most common variants include Cranke, Cranc, Crankes, Cranck and Krank.
While these variations are not as common, you may also find the surname as Crankie, Crankin, or Crankoe. It might also be spelled as Kranc, Kranke, Krankes, Krankin, Krancz, or Krancke in certain regions, particularly those influenced by Germanic languages that tend to replace "C" with "K".
Additionally, there are forms that have an additional suffix such as Crankson, Crankston, Crankfield, and Crankerton which typically denote 'son of Crank' or refer to a geographical location related to the Crank family.
When checking surnames of the same origin and meaning, it's noteworthy to mention that Crank is considered a topographic name for someone who lived by a crane (the bird), or a habitational name from Crank in Merseyside or other places named with Old English 'crane' or 'cranuc' (crane).
Therefore, related surnames may include Crane, Crayne, Crain, Craner, or Cranucher. Yet, it's important to note that each surname has a unique history and the fact that they share a similar origin does not always indicate a familial relation.
Famous people with the name Crank
- Jessica Crank: Known for a highly-publicized court case involving her mother's decision to rely on faith healing for Jessica's Ewing's Sarcoma, which resulted in her death at 15.
- Jason Crank: A professional MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter competing primarily in the featherweight division.
- Jon Crank: An award-winning architect based in the US, known for his exemplary works in sustainable architecture.
- Helen Crank: An Ironman triathlete from the UK who has set numerous world records in the sport. Please note that there might be less well-known or emerging figures with the surname Crank in various fields like sports, arts, sciences, etc. Further, the degree of fame could vary based on regional and temporal factors.