Croxford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The surname Croxford is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties. As a general rule, the greater the distance between an individual and their homeland, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, a person who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came. The name Croxford is derived from the Old English words "crawa," which means "crow," and "ford," which means "a river crossing," and indicates that the original bearer lived near a ford where crows nested.

Early Origins of the Croxford family

The surname Croxford was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where the family resided in this area as early as the 11th century when Alan, the youngest son of the 4th Earl of Richmond, received a large grant of lands from King William the Conqueror.

When King David of Scotland moved north to assume the throne in 1130, some Crawfords accompanied him on his journey. Galfredus Crawford would gain lands in Clydesdale and his son, Sir Reginald, acquired the barony of Loudoun, from which a significant branch of the Campbells would develop.

Later, Reginald de Crauford, John de Crauford and William de Crauford are all recorded as paying homage to Edward I in 1296. 1

Early History of the Croxford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croxford research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1297, 1530, 1603, 1625, 1643, 1710 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Croxford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croxford Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Crawford, Crawfurd, Craufurd, Crawferd, Crawfford, Crafford, Craford, Crafort, Crayford and many more.

Early Notables of the Croxford family

Notable among the family at this time was Sir Ronald Crawford (c. 1240-1297), 4th Sheriff of Ayrshire, Chief of Clan Crawford, and Lord of Loudon Castle; Captain Thomas Crawford (1530-1603) of Jordanhill, trusted confidant of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, husband of...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Croxford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Croxford family to Ireland

Some of the Croxford family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croxford migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Croxford Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ellen M. Croxford, aged 8, who landed in America from England, in 1900
Wm. Croxford, aged 33, who settled in America from England, in 1900
Marie Croxford, aged 35, who landed in America from Heffiel, England, in 1907
Frederick Charles Croxford, aged 25, who immigrated to America from Leyton, England, in 1910
Grace Amelia Croxford, aged 47, who landed in America from Gerrards Cross, England, in 1920
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Croxford 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:

Croxford Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Croxford, aged 42, a railway labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874
Christiana Croxford, aged 34, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Strathnaver" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Croxford (post 1700) +

William Croxford (1863-1950), New Zealand cricketer who played six first-class matches for Otago between 1890 and 1894
Henry Croxford (1845-1892), English professional cricketer who played for Kent County Cricket Club
Guy Croxford (b. 1981), Zimbabwean cricketer who played thirteen first-class matches between 2000 and 2003
Tara Croxford (b. 1968), Canadian bronze medalist field hockey player at the 1995 Pan American Games

The Croxford Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Tutem te robore reddam
Motto Translation: I will make thee safe by my strength

Citations +

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)