Show ContentsCroll History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Croll surname is derived from the Middle high German word "krol," meaning "curly."

Early Origins of the Croll family

The surname Croll was first found in Prussia where the family made a considerable contribution to the feudal society which shaped modern Europe. The family branched into several houses, all of which played an important role in the local political conflicts which forged the nation.

Early History of the Croll family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croll research. Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Croll History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croll Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Krol, Krolls, Krols, Croll, Krole and others.

Early Notables of the Croll family

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

Croll Ranking

In the United States, the name Croll is the 15,878th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Croll migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Croll Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Christn Croll, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1729 2
  • Ulderick Croll, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1729 2
  • Peter Croll, aged 26, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1740 2
  • Christian Croll, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743-1744 2

Australia Croll migration to Australia +

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

Croll Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Croll, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 25th January 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 3

New Zealand Croll 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:

Croll Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Annie A. Croll, aged 29, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waipa" in 1876
  • William Croll, aged 3, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waipa" in 1876
  • Annie Croll, aged 74, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waipa" in 1876

Contemporary Notables of the name Croll (post 1700) +

  • Warren A. "Jimmy" Croll Jr. (1920-2008), American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred race horse trainer
  • Francis Croll (1826-1854), Scottish line engraver, born at Musselburgh about 1826
  • Doña Croll (b. 1953), Jamaican-born British actress
  • David Arnold Croll PC, QC (1900-1991), Canadian politician, two-time Mayor of Windsor, Ontario
  • James Croll (1821-1890), 19th century Scottish scientist who developed a theory of climate change based on changes in the earth's orbit
  • George Croll Nimmons, American architect from Chicago who did extensive work for Sears, Roebuck and Company


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 4th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian


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