Surname Crookes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Crookes: What does the surname Crookes mean?
The last name Crookes is of English origin and is believed to be a locational surname derived from a place called "Crookes" in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It is named for "crooks" or bends in the landscape, specifically the bends in a river or road. The English word "crook" means bend or curve, which is the central element in the place name. The suffix "-es" is also a common addition in Old English used to signify 'son of' or 'descendant of'. Therefore, the surname Crookes may denote someone who came from the place named Crookes or who lived by a notable bend or curve in a road or river. It can also mean the descendant of a person named Crook. As a surname, Crookes was first found in Yorkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Over time, the name has been spelled differently like Crooks, Crook, and Brook in different records, making tracing the name more complicated.
Order DNA origin analysisCrookes: Where does the name Crookes come from?
The last name Crookes is of English origin. It is derived from a geographical locale, specifically from a place called Crookes in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It was originally intended to identify individuals who lived in or came from that area. The name is believed to derive from the Old Norse word "krókr," meaning "bend" or "crook," suggesting an area of land with a noticeable bend or perhaps a winding road.
Today, Crookes is not a particularly common surname anywhere in the world, suggesting that descendants of the original bearers have either changed their names or intermingled their gene pool widely. However, you can find it most prevalent in England, the country of its origin. There is also a noticeable number of people bearing the surname Crookes in the United States, Australia, and Canada, likely reflecting the emigration patterns from England to these countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Crookes
The surname Crookes originated from England and is derived from a geographical location, specifically the village of Crookes near Sheffield in South Yorkshire. The spelling variations for the surname might include Crooks, Crooke, Crook, Crocket, Crockett, Croker and Krak.
The surname Crookes may have been modified over the centuries due to various reasons such as regional dialects, spelling errors, or translation from other languages, resulting in different spellings of the same original surname. Some surnames may have been altered to become simpler while others may have been elaborated to become more unique or apparent.
Crook is the most common variant of this surname and there are others like Crookman, Croke, and Croke, all predominantly found in the British Isles. Related surnames that might share the same origin with Crookes are those beginning with 'Cr', such as Crawford, Crawley, Crafter or Cram and ending with 'ks' like Brooks or Weeks. It's crucial to remember that surname origins can be complex due to migration, marital name changes and shifting cultural practices, hence it is often arduous to map these changes accurately.
Famous people with the name Crookes
- Sir William Crookes: An eminent British scientist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries known for his work on spectroscopy. He was also a pioneer in vacuum tubes, inventing the Crookes tube, which was instrumental in the development of x-rays.
- Charles Crookes: A renowned South African cricketer who played for the South African national team in the early 20th century.
- John Crookes: A prominent English footballer of the mid-20th century who played for various clubs including Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
- George Crookes: An acclaimed English actor, known for his roles in several popular British television series during the 20th century.
- Sarah Crookes: A celebrated British director and producer known for her work in the television industry. Her portfolio includes popular series like "The Bill" and "Inspector Morse."
- Frances Crookes Carpenter: An American author known for her books exploring international folk songs and folklore.
- Paul Crookes: A high-profile figure in British industrial and trade policy in the late 20th century. He was responsible for the design and introduction of a number of influential policies. These represent a cross-section of individuals with the surname Crookes across different fields. While there are likely other notable individuals with the surname, these are some of the most high-profile figures.