Crayne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The name Crayne is most likely derived from Middle English word "cran," meaning "a crane." It may have originally been a nickname for a tall, thin man with long legs. It has also been suggested that the name Crayne in England derives from the place name Crannes, in Maine, France.

Early Origins of the Crayne family

The surname Crayne was first found in various counties, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy. Early records of the name include Osbert Crane in the Pipe Rolls of Cornwall in 1177; Jordan Crane in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1219; William le Crane in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1235; as well as Andreas, John, Oliver, and William de Crane listed in England in circa 1272, in the Rotuli Hundredorum. 1

In Somerset, John le Cran, and Thomas le Cran, were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes Crane, Alicia uxor ejus; Elisot Grane; Stephanus Crane; and Dionisia Cranne, vidua. 3

In Camborne, Cornwall, another early record was found. "On the bartons of Lower Rosewarne and Crane, where nothing but farm houses now appear, were formerly the seats of two families of these names. But these in the reign of James were sold to Ezekiel Grosse, Esq. after passing through some intermediate hands." 4

Another source confirms the Camborne reference. "From Crane in Camborne; from grean, gravel; or croan, the cross. Hals says, 'Crane adjoining Roswarne gave name to its possessor, Cit-Crane, who gave bustards or cranes for his arms; for as crana, krana, is as grus in Latin, so it is a crane in English, garan and cryhyr in the Welsh.' " 5

Early History of the Crayne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crayne research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1509, 1522, 1530, 1568, 1572, 1588, 1606, 1617, 1621, 1625, 1631, 1636, 1652, 1714 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Crayne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crayne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Crane, Craine, Crain, Cran, Crann, Crayne and others.

Early Notables of the Crayne family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Nicholas Crane (1522?-1588?), English Presbyterian, of Christ's College, Cambridge, who "was imprisoned in 1568 for performing service in the diocese of London out of the Geneva prayer-book, which he called 'the most sincere order,' and for railing against the usages of the church. After a year's imprisonment he was released by the interposition of Bishop Grindal on making a promise to behave differently. As he did not keep this promise the bishop inhibited him." John Crane (1572-1652), was an English apothecary, a native of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. "He settled at Cambridge, where he became...
Another 216 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crayne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crayne family to Ireland

Some of the Crayne family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crayne migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crayne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Crayne, who settled in Maryland in 1683

Crayne migration to Australia +

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

Crayne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Crayne, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Fairlie" on 9th Mary 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 6

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 26th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie