Cranwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


Cranwell is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cranwell family lived in Lincolnshire. The line descends from a family who held a feif at Cramanvile, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Cranwell family

The surname Cranwell was first found in Essex where the family claim descent from Crenawell, (Cramanville) and were listed in the Battle Abbey Roll. 1 The family held a family seat in Essex from the time of the Conquest and in Kent where they held its lands by three knight's service. In 1189, Ralph de Cramaville paid a fine for his estates in Northumberland. 2 However, most of the record were found in Lincolnshire at Cranwell, a parish four miles from Sleaford. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Adam de Cranewell and Robert de Cranewell in Lincolnshire; and Richard de Cranewell in Kent. 3

Early History of the Cranwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cranwell research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1600 and 1658 are included under the topic Early Cranwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cranwell Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Cranwell, Cranwel and others.

Early Notables of the Cranwell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Migration of the Cranwell family to Ireland

Some of the Cranwell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Cranwell migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Cranwell or a variant listed above:

Cranwell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Cranwell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Cranwell migration to Australia +

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

Cranwell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Cranwell 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:

Cranwell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Cranwell (post 1700) +
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