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Show ContentsCrane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Crane 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 Crane in England derives from the place name Crannes, in Maine, France.

Early Origins of the Crane family

The surname Crane 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 Crane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crane 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 Crane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crane Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Crane 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...
  • John Crane (1572-1652), was an English apothecary, a native of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. "He settled at Cambridge, where he became an eminent apothecary, and he appears in the latter part of his life t...
  • Ralph Crane (fl. 1625), was an English poet and was the author of a little volume of verse, now very rare, which was first published in 1621 under the title of 'The Workes of Mercy, both Corporeall an...
  • Sir Francis Crane (d. 1636), was Director of the tapestry works established at Mortlake under the patronage of James I. "His origin is generally assigned to Norfolk or Suffolk, but of his early histor...
  • Thomas Crane (1631-1714), was an English Puritan divine, born in March 1631, at Plymouth, where his father was a merchant. "Oliver Cromwell gave him the living of Rampisham, Dorsetshire, from which he...

Crane World Ranking

In the United States, the name Crane is the 843rd most popular surname with an estimated 34,818 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Crane is ranked the 191st most popular surname with an estimated 216 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Crane is the 627th popular surname with an estimated 6,218 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Crane as 709th with 9,469 people. 9

Ireland Migration of the Crane family to Ireland

Some of the Crane 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.

United States Crane migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crane Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. James Crane, aged 17, who arrived in Virginia in 1634 aboard the ship "Bonaventure" coming via St. Domingo 10
  • Jasper Crane, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1635 11
  • Richard Crane, aged 32, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Thomas" 11
  • Jasper Crane, a passenger on the "Hector," who settled in the New Haven Colony in 1637
  • Christian Crane, who arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1647 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Crane Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Margaret Crane, who landed in Virginia in 1704 11
  • Josiah Crane, who landed in New York in 1752 11
  • Ludwick Crane, who arrived in New York in 1761 11
  • Matthew Crane, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1797 11
  • Waterman Crane, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 11
Crane Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Samson J Crane, who landed in America in 1811 11
  • Solomon Crane, aged 22, who landed in New York in 1812 11
  • James Crane, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1822 11
  • Martin Crane, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1828 11
  • Moses Crane, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1828 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Crane migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crane Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Crane, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mrs. Elisha Crane U.E. who settled in Prince Edward County, Ontario c. 1783 12
  • Mr. John Crane U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 12
Crane Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Dominick Crane, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838
  • Mr. Denis Crane, aged 22 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "John Munn" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 13
  • Mr. Edward Crane who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Corea" departing 2nd July 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th August 1847 but he died on board 14
  • Miss. Helen Crane, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Argo" departing 4th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but she died on board 14
  • Mr. James Crane, aged 5 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Argo" departing 4th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but he died on board 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Crane migration to Australia +

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

Crane Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Crane, (b. 1765), aged 48, English shoe maker who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years for possession of forged bank notes, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1848 15
  • Mr. Henry Crane, British Convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • Mr. John Crane, British Convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 17
  • Mr. John Crane, English convict who was convicted in Worcestershire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 14th August 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Samuel Crane, English convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for life, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Crane 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:

Crane Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Crane, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Traveller" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 22nd July 1859 20
  • Mary A. Crane, aged 41, a nurse, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1873 21
  • Michael Crane, aged 18, a farm labourer, who arrived in Bluff, New Zealand aboard the ship "Adamant" in 1875 22

Contemporary Notables of the name Crane (post 1700) +

  • Douglas P. "Doug" Crane (1935-2020), American animator from Bronxville, New York
  • Paul Crane (1944-2020), American football center for seven seasons for the New York Jets (1966-1972)
  • Robert Q. Crane (1926-2018), American Democratic Party politician, 53rd Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts (1964-1991), Chairperson of the Massachusetts Democratic Party in 1971 23
  • David Crane (b. 1957), American writer and producer
  • Harold Hart Crane (1899-1932), American poet, best known for his most ambitious work, The Bridge
  • Robert Kellogg Crane (1919-2010), American biochemist, best known for his discovery of sodium-glucose cotransport, recipient of the Dr. Harold Lamport Award, New York Academy of Sciences, 1977
  • Brigadier-General William Carey Crane (1891-1978), American Commanding General Artillery IV Corps (1944-1945) 24
  • Major-General John Alden Crane (1885-1951), American Chief of American Section, Allied Control Commission in Bulgaria (1944-1946) 25
  • Robert Edward "Bob" Crane (1928-1978), American disc jockey and two-time Primetime Emmy Award nominated actor, best known for his performance as Col. Hogan in the television sitcom "Hogan's Heroes"
  • Commodore William M Crane (1776-1846), American Naval officer, eponym of the USS Crane (DD-109), a Wickes-class destroyer
  • ... (Another 115 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
SS Southern Cross
  • Mr. John Charles Crane (1893-1914), Newfoundlander from Upper Island Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
  • Mr. Edward Crane (b. 1914), Newfoundlander from Tilton who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. 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.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  5. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. 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)
  12. 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
  13. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 22)
  14. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 71)
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  17. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 6th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, March 11) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  24. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 23) William Crane. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Crane/William_Carey/USA.html
  25. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, November 23) John Crane. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Crane/John_Alden/USA.html
  26. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
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