Show ContentsCrampsey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Crampsey comes from the Irish Gaelic "Ó Cnaimhsighe," which was derived from a female personal name. 1 This Irish name was then anglicized to Kneafsey, Crampsey, Bonar, and their variants. Bonar comes from a pseudo translation of Cnaimhsighe, as "cnamh" by itself means "bone."

Early Origins of the Crampsey family

The surname Crampsey was first found in 1095, when the Annals mention Scannlan O Cnaimhsige as the confessor of Lismore. In 1584 Philip MacShane Y Neasy was on of Lord Viscount Roche's men, and was probably a northern Irish mercenary.

Early History of the Crampsey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crampsey research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1659 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Crampsey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crampsey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kneafsey, Kneaphsey, Neecy, O'Kneafsey, O'Knawsie, O'Crawsey, Crampsey, Crampsy, Crampsie, Cramsey, Boner and many more.

Early Notables of the Crampsey family

More information is included under the topic Early Crampsey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Crampsey migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crampsey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Michael Crampsey, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1816

Canada Crampsey migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crampsey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Shane, Mary, and Danieal Crampsey, who immigrated to Saint John, New Brunswick in 1847
  • Hugh Crampsey, who settled in Quebec in 1848
  • Edward Crampsey, who landed in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1849 2

Australia Crampsey migration to Australia +

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

Crampsey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr.Phelim Crampsey, (Bonner, Bonnar), Irish labourer who was convicted in Donegal, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Bencoolen" on 24th April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia before being transferred to Tasmania via the "Admiral Cockburn", he died in 1828 when he was executed 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Crampsey (post 1700) +

  • Robert Anthony "Bob" Crampsey (1930-2008), Scottish association football historian, author and broadcaster


The Crampsey 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: Denique coelum
Motto Translation: Heaven at last.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
  2. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bencoolen


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