Show ContentsCranney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The story of the Cranney family is rich with Scottish history. It begins in the ancient kingdom of Dalriada where Cranney evolved as a name for some who lived on the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. The name is derived from Gaelic Mac Crain. [1]

Early Origins of the Cranney family

The surname Cranney was first found in the islands of Jura and Islay, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Cranney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cranney research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1625, 1649, 1856 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cranney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cranney Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Cranney include many spelling variations. They include They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. MacCraney, Craney, Crainey, MacCrain, McCranie, MacCranny, MacCranne, MacCranney, MacCrayne and many more.

Early Notables of the Cranney family

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

Ireland Migration of the Cranney family to Ireland

Some of the Cranney family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Cranney migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Cranneys to arrive on North American shores:

Cranney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Cranney, aged 19, who arrived in America, in 1892
Cranney Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Patrick Cranney, aged 20, who arrived in America, in 1902
  • Kate Cranney, aged 30, who arrived in America from Newmarket, Ireland, in 1910
  • Kathlene Cranney, aged 0, who arrived in America from Newmarket, Ireland, in 1910
  • Mary A. Cranney, aged 30, who arrived in America from Newry, Ireland, in 1910
  • Rose Ann Cranney, aged 26, who arrived in America from Banbridge, Ireland, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cranney (post 1700) +

  • Kevin Cranney, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 2008 [2]
  • Ciril D. Cranney, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Wyoming State House of Representatives, 1950 [2]
  • Sean Cranney (b. 1973), Australian former association football player who played from 1992 to 2000, member of the Australian National Team (1996-1997)
  • Martin Cranney (1795-1870), Irish-born, Canadian politician who represented Northumberland County in the 14th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly from 1847 to 1850


The Cranney 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: Amor proximi
Motto Translation: The love of our neighbor.


  1. 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)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 13) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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