Surname critchley - Meaning and Origin
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critchley: What does the surname critchley mean?
The surname Critchley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Old English elements 'cric', meaning coppice wood, and 'leah', meaning a wood or clearing. The name is thought to have first originated as a topographical name, referring to someone who lived near such a clearing. In northern England and Scotland, the surnames Critchley and Critchell derive from the place name Critchely in Berwickshire, which in turn was derived from the Old English 'ceorot', meaning a circular hill, and 'leah'.
The Critchleys are believed to have first emigrated to the United States from Ireland in the mid-eighteenth century, settling mainly in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Records of the Critchleys date back to 1664, when William Critchly was recorded as living in Staffordshire. Other early recorded Critchleys include James Critchley, who married Sary Wytlock in 1674, and Jeames Critchley, who married Margaret Brazier in 1748 in Lancashire.
Over time, the Critchleys have produced a number of notable individuals, such as writers Annalea Critchley and Jan Critchley, business executive and entrepreneur Henry Critchley, and physician William M. Critchley. Critchley is also the name of a fictional character in the novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker.
Critchley is still a common surname in the United States today, with over 1,000 people bearing the name in the 2000 US Census.
Order DNA origin analysiscritchley: Where does the name critchley come from?
The last name Critchley is primarily found in the United Kingdom today, primarily in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria, and Yorkshire. It is believed to have originated in the northwest of England during the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English 'cricke', which means stony stream.
There is also a sizable population of the Critchley family name in various parts of Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. In the USA, the surname is most commonly seen in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; there is also a large concentration of Critchley names in Illinois, Michigan, and Florida. Some individuals of the Critchley family name have migrated to other parts of the world, such as New Zealand, Ireland, and Switzerland.
Today, the Critchley family remains quite widespread in its home nations, and is still popular among countries throughout much of the English-speaking world. Many users of the name have strong connections to their English roots, and it remains a defining part of many Critchley family trees across the world.
Variations of the surname critchley
The surname Critchley has many variants that can vary in spelling and pronunciation. The most common of these include Critchlow, Critchel, Crichton, Crichlow, Kritchelow, Kretchlow and Ketschelow. Other variations of the name include Chrichley, Chritchley, Crychley, Cretchley, Grichley, Krichley, Krittchel, Krittchelow, Kraetschley, Kretchley, Krichlow and Krechlow.
In some cases, the surname Critchley may also have been Americanized. Examples of this include Crichely, Crishley, Critchley, Critchley, Crisley, Grishley, Grisley, Krichely, Krishley, Krochley and Krushley.
The Critchley surname is said to be of local origin, derived from a family who originally lived in a village in Lancashire, England. Hence, all of the variations of the name may all be derived from the same origin.
Ultimately, the various spelling variations of the surname Critchley reveal the rich history of the English culture which has continued to develop over many centuries. As the name has moved from England into other parts of the world with waves of immigration, each version of the name has adapted and evolved to fit in its new environment.
Famous people with the name critchley
- Ronald Critchley (1894-1959), famous English stage and film actor
- Eileen Critchley (1925-2003), English actress
- Jessie Critchley (1868-1937), English stage and vocal performer
- Leo Critchley (1975-present), British stand-up comedian
- Thomas B. Critchley (1887-1959), English actor and stage manager
- Sir Samuel Charles Critchley (1776-1846), British army officer, courtier and diplomat
- Mark Critchley (1982-present), British actor
- Dewi Critchley (b. 1970), Welsh international footballer
- Joy Critchley (1959-present), British actress
- Edward Critchley (1850-1929), English watercolour and oil painter