Surname Crawford - Meaning and Origin

Tracing My Roots: An Emotional Odyssey with IGENEA and the Crawford Legacy

A report on my journey with iGENEA DNA test, shedding light on how it disrupted my perception of my family, my heritage, and myself. A transformation from just bearing the Crawford surname to embodying an amalgamation of diverse ethnicities, cultures, and narratives.

I. Crawford

Crawford: What does the surname Crawford mean?

The surname Crawford has Scottish origins, coming from a place named Crawford, located in Lanarkshire. It is mainly believed that the name is derived from the Gaelic words "crua-ford", which mean "hard or difficult passage", referring to a ford in the region. In other interpretations, it's described as a combination of Old English words "crawa", meaning crow, and "ford", meaning a river crossing or ford, therefore, signifying "crow's ford". Crow, in this context, may refer to a person who either resembles a crow in some quality, or lives in a place populated with crows. However, the precise origin remains uncertain because at the time when surnames began to be used, records were not reliably kept. Nonetheless, the Crawford surname has a long history, with the House of Crawford being one of the most notable Scottish noble houses, with numerous influential figures throughout Scottish and British history.

Crawford: Where does the name Crawford come from?

The surname Crawford originates from Scotland, specifically from a place called Crawford in Lanarkshire. This location, in turn, derived its name from the Old English words "crawa", meaning crow, and "ford", which meant crossing or ford - collectively portraying a ford or crossing frequented by crows.

The Crawford surname gained prominence with the noble House of Crawford, whose history dates back to the 12th century in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Descendants of this family spread throughout Scotland and to other parts of the British Isles particularly England and Ireland.

Today, the Crawford surname is prevalent in several countries due to emigration, particularly in English-speaking countries. These places include the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of the UK (including Scotland and Northern Ireland). According to surname distribution data, it is most common in the United States. However, in terms of population density, the highest concentrations of people with the Crawford surname are in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Variations of the surname Crawford

The surname Crawford is derived from a geographic location, specifically a town in Scotland, which makes alternate spellings or surnames a bit limited as compared to other last names derived from professions or personal characteristics. However, some variants and similar surnames may include: Crafford, Craford, Crowford, Crawfford, Crawfort, Crawforde, and Craufurd.

"Crafford" and "Craford" may have originated as a result of simplified or alternative spellings, while "Crawfford" and "Crawfort" could be variations based on phonetic representation. "Craufurd", on the other hand, probably originates from an older form of the name.

The surname may have also been anglicized from the similar sounding Irish surname "Mac Craith" or “Mac Raith” to Crawford. It should be noted that while these names sound similar, they do not share a common origin with Crawford.

Keep in mind that the prevalence and distribution of these variant surnames will differ based on geographic region and historic linguistic influences. For instance, a variation like "Crawforde" might be more commonly found in regions where the "e" ending for surnames was common.

Famous people with the name Crawford

• Cindy Crawford: Renowned American supermodel and actress.
• Broderick Crawford: Notable American film, TV, and stage actor.
• Joan Crawford: Famed American film and TV actress during Hollywood's golden age.
• Chace Crawford: Well-known American actor best known for his role in "Gossip Girl".
• Billy Crawford: Filipino-American singer, actor, and TV host.
• Corey Crawford: Professional Canadian ice hockey player.
• Christina Crawford: American actress and author, adopted daughter of Joan Crawford.
• Michael Crawford: English actor, comedian, and singer.
• Carl Crawford: Former professional American baseball player.
• Jamal Crawford: Professional American basketball player.
• Johnny Crawford: American actor, singer, and musician.
• Ruth Crawford Seeger: Influential American modernist composer.
• Randy Crawford: American jazz and R&B singer.
• Terence Crawford: Professional American boxer.
• Hank Crawford: American R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, soul jazz, and blues tenor, alto saxophonist, and arranger.
• Rosario Crawford: Guatemalan human rights activist.
• Fred Crawford: American businessman and philanthropist.

Other surnames

Crawfort