Surname Crichton - Meaning and Origin
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Crichton: What does the surname Crichton mean?
The surname Crichton is a Scottish name of Gaelic origins, derived from the ancient personal name 'Creich'. This name was likely derived from the Gaelic word 'creag', which translates to 'crag', or rocky hill, perhaps referencing the ancient landscape of Scotland. It is suggested that the bearers of the Crichton surname were likely located at or near a rocky hill at some point in their history.
The Crichton surname is commonly passing down from father to son, and can be found throughout Scotland. It is believed that the first recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 13th century, and that it is likely associated with an English and/or Scottish noble family. Through marriage and adoption, the surname spread throughout the British Isles and even to Europe.
Crichton is still a fairly common surname, particularly in Scotland. It is recognized as part of countless Scottish clans, and today serves as a strong connection to Scotland and its rich culture and history. In the modern day, it is a proud surname of people with strong ancestral connections, bringing with it a unique sense of honor and belonging.
Order DNA origin analysisCrichton: Where does the name Crichton come from?
The last name Crichton is most common today in Scotland and Canada. In Scotland, it is most common in the region of Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire, primarily in the area near Glasgow.
In Canada, Crichton is most commonly found in Montreal and Toronto. There has been a sharp rise in the usage of the surname since the 18th century when a large group of Scottish immigrants began to move to Canada.
Today, there are many Crichton individuals living in the English-speaking parts of Canada. London, Ontario, and Toronto, for example, have particularly large populations of the Crichtons.
The surname is also quite evident in other English speaking countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. These countries are home to a large Scottish population who have emigrated from Scotland at various points in time, and the Crichton surname has followed them over the years.
In terms of exact numbers, there is no precise figure as to how many people share the surname. However, it is estimated that there are around 10000 bearer of the last name worldwide, with the majority of them living in English speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Crichton
The surname Crichton is derived from the Old English, topographical name "Craca's tun" meaning ‘the tun (an enclosure or town) of the Turttle Dove’. Over the years, this surname has been spelled and pronounced in different ways.
Variants of the Crichton surname include Chritton, Christy, Critchon, Criton, Cricon, Crychton, Crichten, and Crichten.
Alternate spellings include Crychton, Cryton, Crystan and Crysten.
The Scottish Gaelic form of the Crichton surname is Crichdain, but is rarely used.
In France, the surname is spelled Crechon or Crechot.
Some are connected to the original spelling, while others have been adapted to various locations where the surname has been used.
Common surnames of the same origin include MacCrichton, MacRitchie, MacRait, and MacCreich.
The same surname can often be found in various countries, but with different spellings or pronunciations. In Australia, the Crichtons often spell their surnames with an i in place of a y, citing the Scottish influence in their ancestry. In Italy, Crescima is often heard, while Croatia uses Krstovic as a spelling variation. In Germany, the Crichtons often spell their surname as “Kritzinger” and in the Netherlands, Creutzberger is a popular variation.
Famous people with the name Crichton
- Michael Crichton (1942-2008): American author, filmmaker, producer and screenwriter; best known for his works in science fiction.
- Robert Crichton (1916-1993): Scottish author and playwright; best known for his novels such as The Great Gatsby and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
- Douglas Crichton (1915-2007): Scottish film director and writer; best known for his films such as The Servant and The Ipcress File.
- Ewan Crichton: Scottish actor, best known for his role in the film Billy Elliot.
- Jean Crichton (1889-1956): English stage and screen actress; best known for her role in the film, Little Women.
- Charles Crichton (1910-1999): English film director and producer; best known for his films such as A Fish Called Wanda, The Lavender Hill Mob, and The Lion in Winter.
- Andy Crichton (1944-2005): Scottish footballer; best known for his career playing for clubs such as Partick Thistle, Coventry City and Scotland.
- David Crichton (1944-): Scottish Conservative Party politician; best known as Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South from 1983 to 1992.
- David Crichton (1945-): Scottish Conservative Party politician; best known as Member of Parliament for North Tyneside from 1997 to 2005.
- Leonard Crichton (1903-1986): English architect and designer; best known as the designer of the Daily Express building in London.