Surname Crashaw - Meaning and Origin
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Crashaw: What does the surname Crashaw mean?
The last name Crashaw is an English surname, which originated from the Medieval given name “Crassus”, derived from Latin. The Latin root word crassus means “thick” or “fat”, and can also be translated to “wealthy” or “prosperous”, which could signify a familial or ancestral wealth. The name was also found in various forms across the British Isles, such as Craske(s) and Crossaw.
The first known record of the name can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire from 1283, with Simon Craske recorded as paying taxes. In 1379, various branches of the family are recorded in Somerset. By 1524 there were several branches of the family in Wiltshire, Gloucester and Worcestershire.
The name may also have alluded to professions, such as a carpenter or woodsman, due to association with the Saxon word ‘cresce’, meaning to cut down or prune trees, or to craft tools from wood.
The name Crashaw remains in use across the British Isles, due to its long-standing presence, and can be found in America, Canada, Africa, Australasia and elsewhere, indicative of the surname's international appeal.
Order DNA origin analysisCrashaw: Where does the name Crashaw come from?
The last name Crashaw is not common today. It is of English origin and is derived from an old given name or nickname, possibly derived from the Anglo-French words "craquer" or "crasche," meaning "noisy, raucous song." The name is most famously associated with the English metaphysical poet Richard Crashaw (1613–1649), whose legacy has lived on in the name, but it is not a name that is particularly common today.
At the time of the 2018 United States Census, there were around 250 individuals living in the United States with the surname Crashaw. However, this is a subtle increase compared to the 2000 US Census, which listed only 185 individuals with the name. According to AllCensusRecords.org, the states with the highest density of Crashaw people are Tennessee, California, Arkansas, and Georgia.
Due to its rarity, the last name Crashaw isn't a common one and is mostly limited to individuals who are descendents of those who were of English descent. Those individuals are more likely to be found in the states previously mentioned.
Overall, the last name Crashaw is not all that common today, but individuals who carry the surname often have a rich and storied ancestry. The legacy of Richard Cashaw has lived on, though only through the name.
Variations of the surname Crashaw
The surname Crashaw is the anglicized spelling of the Welsh name Crachwy. Throughout history, many spelling variations of this surname have occurred, including Crachaw, Crashow, Crachowe, Crachoo, Crachew, Crachwhat, Crackow, Crachash, Creachaw, and Kraschau, among others.
The surname is derived from the Welsh term ‘Crachach’ or ‘crach’, which is said to mean to ‘burst’ or ‘gush out’. In Welsh-speaking regions of the country, the name may have been derived from the ancient God of fire, Crach-mawr. Alternatively, the name may have referred to a place of the same name in Wales.
The surname Crashaw can also be found (in more rare cases) as Kraschau, Krechaw, and Krechau, related to the German Kraschau. This version of the surname originated in east-central Germany from the words ‘Kreich’, meaning ‘Church’, and ‘Au’, meaning 'meadow', signifying someone from a religious settlement or an area of religious importance.
In Scotland, the surname is spelled Crachish, stemming from the Gaelic term ‘Craicteach’, which refers to someone or something that is brave or courageous.
In many regions, the name is also associated with an armorial bearing — a coat of arms — which was registered in the 1500s with the College of Heralds. The associated crest consists of a chevron, three dexter hands couped at the wrists, two stars, and a mullet over the helmet signifying a cherished and protected family.
The prevalence of the surname Crashaw in England, Germany, Wales, and Scotland confirms its ancient civilizational origin that dates back centuries.
Famous people with the name Crashaw
- Richard Crashaw: English metaphysical poet who was an Anglican in his earlier years before converting into the Roman Catholic Church.
- Stephen Crashaw: English poet and minister in the Church of England who was the brother of Richard Crashaw.
- Nora Crashaw: American stage actress.
- Ruth Crashaw: British actress and historian.
- William Crashaw: English non-conformist minister from 1641 to 1669.
- Kimberly Crashaw: American lawyer and legal analyst.
- Michael Crashaw: British screenwriter, producer, and actor.
- Sam Crashaw: United States Army Air Forces officer during World War II.
- Elizabeth Ground Crashaw: President of the General Theological Seminary at the University of the South.
- Nathan Crashaw: Australian children's book author and illustrator.