Surname Cravens - Meaning and Origin

Cravens: What does the surname Cravens mean?

The surname Cravens is of English origin and it is believed to derive from a geographical location. The name specifically refers to those who lived in or near the town of Craven in North Yorkshire, England. The place name ‘Craven’ came from the Old English term ‘Craefn’ which meant ‘garlic place’, suggesting it may have been a location where wild garlic grew abundantly. Over time, the surname Cravens has undergone various spellings, which include Craven, Cravene, and Cravin. Despite the contemporary association of the word "craven" with cowardice, there is no historical or etymological connection between the term and the surname. Much like other surnames that originated from place names, the recording of Cravens as a surname may have begun when families migrated from their original habitation and were identified by the name of their birthplace.

Cravens: Where does the name Cravens come from?

The surname Cravens is of English origin, thought to have derived from a place name. It is believed to have first originated from the area of Craven in North Yorkshire. The place name Craven itself means "garlic place" in Old English, possibly referring to the wild garlic that grew in the region.

In the 12th century, the term Craven was often used to denote an individual from that particular region. Hence, someone bearing this name would have either lived in or originated from this area. Over time, the meaning evolved to become a family surname.

Currently, the surname Cravens is more commonly used in the United States, especially in the states of Kentucky, Missouri, and Indiana. In the United Kingdom, it still persists in the areas of Yorkshire and Lancashire but is less widespread than in the US. However, the surname has spread globally due to emigration, so it may be found in different parts of the world, albeit less frequently.

Variations of the surname Cravens

The surname Cravens is believed to have an English or Irish origin. Variants of the surname can include Craven, Cravens, Cravin, Cravins, Cravenor, Cravern, and Cravener.

In English origin, the surname Craven refers traditionally to a person from Craven, an area in North Yorkshire, England. The place name Craven suggests a "garlic place" in Celtic or "hard or stony region" in Old English.

In the Irish origin, the surname is an anglicized form of Ó Cróinín which translates to 'descendant of Crónán', a diminutive of the personal name Crón.

Early records reveal the surname in different spellings including Cravene (1273) in Yorkshire and John de Craven (1379) in Poll Tax of Yorkshire, highlighting slight variations in older English texts. It is also possible that Cravens may be connected with other surnames of similar sounding or spelling but different origin.

These variations and the alteration in spelling over with geographical locales and time periods can all be attributed to scribes and clerics who traditionally spelled names as they sounded, resulting in many spelling variations of the same name in historical records.

Famous people with the name Cravens

• Wes Craven: An acclaimed American film director, writer, and producer, recognized most notably for his work in horror films such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Scream".
• Susan Craven: British playwright who also wrote for television and radio.
• John Craven: A British journalist and television presenter known for his work on the BBC children's show "Newsround" and the rural affairs program "Countryfile".
• Robert Craven: An influential figure in the video game industry, recognized for his work as a video game designer and critic.
• Margaret Craven: A noted American author famous for her novel "I Heard the Owl Call My Name”.
• Megan Cravens: An American skier, she represented the United States in the Winter Paralympics.
• Suzy Cravens: A philanthropist from Texas whose work has garnered national recognition.
• John Craven: Australian footballer recognized for his successful career in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• Robbie Cravens: An American filmmaker and photographer whose work has earned him several awards.
• Reggie Cravens: A professional American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL).
• Julie Craven: A known British academic and pharmacist.
• Eli Craven: An American contemporary artist. Keep in mind that fame can be subjective and region-specific. For example, some of these people may be widely recognized in their fields or home countries, but they may not be known worldwide.

Other surnames

CravenCraver