Surname Crippen - Meaning and Origin

Crippen: What does the surname Crippen mean?

The surname Crippen is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the old English term "Crypel" which translates to 'a place of cripples.' It is speculated to have been either a locational name, given to someone who lived near a hospital or shelter for the crippled, or an occupational name for someone who cared for these individuals. Another possibility is that the name could have been used for someone with a particular physical characteristic, possibly someone who was lame or had trouble walking. The name has variants, including Cribben and Crippin. It is also famously associated with Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen, an American ear and eye specialist who was hanged in London in 1910 for the murder of his wife. Despite the negative connection, the surname Crippen is neutral in meaning and does not carry any particularly significant implications in modern society.

Crippen: Where does the name Crippen come from?

The surname Crippen originates from Britain, specifically from Old English. It is a patronymic name derived from the medieval personal name Crispin, which means curly-haired. The name Crispin was popular among the Normans and was brought to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Today, the Crippen surname is quite rare and is scattered across the globe. However, it is most prevalent in the United States, with a notable amount of Crippens residing in California, Michigan, and Texas. It is also found in smaller numbers in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. Despite its prevalence, it isn't a common surname in these countries.

Variations of the surname Crippen

The surname Crippen is of British origin, especially prevalent in the region of Cornwall. It is derived from the Old English words “crippe” or “creopan,” meaning to creep or cripple, and is usually given to someone with a limp or other physical defect. Despite its distinctiveness, there are some variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin observed in historical and genealogical records.

The alternative spellings include Crippin, Cripen, and Cripping, although they are less commonly seen. It is also possible to find the name with additional prefix or suffix such as McCrippen. In term of pronunciation, it can be found as Crispin in some parts of the United Kingdom due to regional accents, but Crispin is generally considered a separate name with different origins.

Surnames that may share origin, if not directly relate, could include all the different spellings mentioned above plus Crippinger. Similarly, patronymic forms could be considered part of the same name group, such as Crippenson.

However, variations in surnames could also be the result of immigration and transliteration to different languages, so a wider range of variations might exist especially in countries like the United States. These could include Krippen or Krippin, depending on how the name was originally pronounced or transcribed.

Famous people with the name Crippen

• Hawley Harvey Crippen: He was an American homeopathic physician and convicted murderer who was found guilty of killing his wife and was the first criminal to be captured with the aid of wireless communication.
• Jereme Crippen: An American football player who was a linebacker for several American football teams in the Arena Football League.
• Bob Crippen: A former astronaut from NASA, known for his work on the Space Shuttle program. He was the Pilot of the first Space shuttle mission, STS-1, and flew on three more missions as Commander.
• Fran Crippen: An American long-distance open-water swimmer who tragically died during a race in the UAE. He won a number of significant races and medals in his career.
• Maddy Crippen: An American competitive swimmer who participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics. She is the sister of Fran Crippen.
• Hale Crippen: A former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Boston Braves and the Newark Peppers.
• Harold Crippen: An American professional golfer who competed in PGA tournaments and gained some fame in the golf world.
• Kathleen Crippen: A competitive curler from the United States, who competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

CrippaCrippin