Show ContentsCrowdell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Crowdell surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in either the settlement of Crowell, which is in the county of Oxfordshire, or in the place of the same name in Spofforth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The latter settlement no longer exists. The surname Crowdell belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Crowdell family

The surname Crowdell was first found in Oxfordshire at Crowell, a parish, in the union of Thame, hundred of Lewknor. However, Walmer in Kent was also home to some of the family since early times. "Near the church is a deep fosse, with other vestiges of ancient intrenchments; and in the churchyard several stone coffins were discovered about 50 years since, supposed to have belonged to the Crowl family, of whom Sir Nicholas, in the reign of Edward I., erected a mansion in the village, of which there are still some remains." 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Robert de Croule in Worcestershire and Richard de Crowell, or Richard de Crol in Lincolnshire. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Crull and Thomas de Crull. 2 Crowle is a small town and civil parish on the Isle of Axholme in Lincolnshire and a parish in Worcestershire. The Crowle spelling of the name is today most numerous in Cornwall.

Early History of the Crowdell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crowdell research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1657, 1661, 1679, 1724, 1747, 1754 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Crowdell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crowdell Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Crowdell include Crowell, Crowel, Croull, Crowill, Crawll and others.

Early Notables of the Crowdell family

Distinguished members of the family include Alderman George Crowle, English politician, Sheriff of Kingston upon Hull in 1657, and mayor in 1661 and 1679 and his grandson, Richard Crowle, an...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crowdell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crowdell family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John and Thomas Crowell who settled in Yarmouth around the year 1640; Jane Crowell settled in Virginia in 1635; Michael Crowell settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1733.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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