Crier History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Crier family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a town crier, or for an officer of a court who made public announcements. These offices were important in the Middle Ages, since the majority of the population were illiterate; thus information could only be spread among the common people through verbal means. The surname Crier is derived from the Old English word criere, which in turn came from the Old French word criere, which was the nominative case of the word crieur, which means crier.

Early Origins of the Crier family

The surname Crier was first found in Worcestershire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Crier family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crier research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1269, 1379, 1590 and 1788 are included under the topic Early Crier History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crier Spelling Variations

Crier has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Crier have been found, including Cryer, Cryour, Crier, Criur, Crieur, Crioure and others.

Early Notables of the Crier family

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

Crier migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Criers to arrive on North American shores:

Crier Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Crier, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1826 1

Crier migration to Australia +

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

Crier Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Crier, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "British Empire" 2
Jane Crier, aged 25, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 2
Charles Crier, aged 1, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 2
Reuben Crier, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 2

Citations +

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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BRITISH EMPIRE 1850. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850BritishEmpire.htm