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Crabb History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Crabb History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Scotland

As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. The Crabb history starts with such a migration. As the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames refers either directly or indirectly to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, physical appearance, habits, or character, among other attributes. Flemish names of this type frequently feature the prefixes lile, which meant the. The surname Crabb is a nickname for a cross-grained, ill-tempered, or fractious person. The surname Crabb may have been applied as a nickname for some who was crabby. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English word crabba, which means crab, or from the Old English word crabbe, which means wild apple. This latter reference implies that the origin may lie as a habitation name "one who lives near the wild apple trees." 1

Early Origins of the Crabb family

The surname Crabb was first found in Cambridge but the Crail variant may have come from much farther north in Fife, Scotland where the former royal burgh so named was derived from the Pictish word "caer" which meant fort. Today Crail is the home to the oldest golf club in the world, instituted in February 1786.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Henry Crabbe, Cambridgeshire; Robert Crabbe, Somerset; and Richard Crabbe, Norfolk. 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had two listings of the family: Matilda Crab; and Johannes Crabbe. 1

Further to the north in Scotland, "the first of the name of prominence was Paul Crab, in Aberdeen, 1310." 2

One of the most famous early family members was John Crabbe (fl.1305-1352), a Flemish merchant, pirate and soldier. He defended Berwick Castle for the Scots against English forces in 1318, but after being captured by the English in 1332, he then assisted the English when they again besieged at Berwick in 1333.

As an engineer, he was in charge of the siege machine, causing "sore problems" for the English defenders of the Castle. In that year, the Count of Flanders committed to the King that if he caught John Crabb he would hang him for 'murder'. However, this same John Crabb was a much sought after commander, and King Robert the Bruce rewarded him with lands in Auchmolen, Auchterrony, and Prescoby, for his services with his siege machine. In 1332, John Crabb also assisted Bruce in the siege of Perth.

The same person became high on the political scale of the Scottish nation, and his sept branched into many directions. He treated with the English for the release of Earl David of Huntingdon, and ultimately obtained his release for him to become King David of Scotland. The name flourished for the next few centuries on their many estates. 2

Early History of the Crabb family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crabb research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1331, 1332, 1362, 1384, 1398, 1401, 1621, 1641, 1642, 1680, 1754, 1832 and 1945 are included under the topic Early Crabb History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crabb Spelling Variations

Flemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Crabb, Crabbe, Crab, Crabe and others.

Early Notables of the Crabb family

Prominent in the family at this time was

John Crabb of Auchmolen

Crabb Ranking

In the United States, the name Crabb is the 5,926^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 3

Crabb migration to the United States +

Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Crabb family to immigrate North America:

Crabb Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Crabb, who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet.
John Crabb, who settled in Dorchester in 1630 who arrived on the sailing ship "Mary and John". He moved to Connecticut in 1632
Richard Crabb, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634 4
Jon Crabb, who landed in Virginia in 1635 4
Jon Crabb, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Crabb Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Crabb, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 4
John Crabb, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 4
Mary Crabb, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 4
John Crabb, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 4

Crabb Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Crabb, who landed in Cincinnati, Oh in 1852 4
H A Crabb, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1855 4

Crabb Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Simon Crabb, (b. 1873), aged 30, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Ivernia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 13th April 1903 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 5
Charles Hendry Crabb, who settled in Kansas in 1920

Crabb migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crabb Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Crabb Sr., U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 6
Mr. John Crabb U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 6

Crabb migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Crabb Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James Crabb, a cabinet-maker, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Richard Crabb, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Samuel Boddington" 7
Mr. James Emmanuel Crabb, Welsh convict who was convicted in Beaumaris, Isle of Anglessey, Wales for 10 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 27th August 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 8
John Crabb, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Velocity"
Mr. William Crabb, English convict who was convicted in Dorchester, Dorset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Edwin Fox" on 24th August 1858, arriving in Western Australia, Australia
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Crabb migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Crabb Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Eli Crabb, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Surge" in 1855
Maria Crabb, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865
Miss Catherine Crabb, (b. 1859), aged 24, Cornish general servant departing on 26th April 1883 aboard the ship "Oxford" going to Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 23rd July 1883 9
Mr. Sampson Thomas Crabb, (b. 1839), aged 44, Cornish miner departing on 26th April 1883 aboard the ship "Oxford" going to Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 23rd July 1883 9
Miss Amelia Crabb, (b. 1865), aged 18, Cornish general servant departing on 26th April 1883 aboard the ship "Oxford" going to Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 23rd July 1883 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Crabb (post 1700) +

Claude Clarence Crabb (1940-2021), American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL)
William A. Crabb, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 1st District, 1843-57 10
Richard J. Crabb, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Annapolis, Maryland, 1834-42 10
Juanita M. Crabb, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1984, 1988 10
John C. Crabb, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Rochester, Minnesota, 1911-15 10
Jeremiah Crabb (1760-1800), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Maryland State House of Delegates, 1788-93; State Court Judge in Maryland, 1791-92; U.S. Representative from Maryland 3rd District, 1795-96 10
Joe Crabb, American Republican politician, Member of Texas State House of Representatives 127th District; Elected 1992, 1994; Elected unopposed 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002; Elected 2004, 2006, 2008 10
Henry A. Crabb, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 7th District, 1852-53 10
Henry Crabb, American politician, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, 1818-27 10
Helen Margaret Crabb (b. 1916), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Iowa State House of Representatives from Guthrie County; Elected 1950 10
... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Crabb family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Joseph Crabb (d. 1914), British from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 11

RMS Titanic

Mr. Henry James Crabb (d. 1912), aged 23, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 12

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SAMUEL BODDINGTON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849SamuelBoddington.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html