Crawley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Crawley surname lived in Crawley in the counties of Northumberland, Sussex and Bedfordshire. These place names derive from the Old English word "cra-we," meaning "crow," and "le-ah," meaning a " clearing in the woods." 1

We shall attempt to now discuss their significance to the family. The Northumberland township "was anciently called Crawlawe, from Caer-law, a fortified hill. Crawley Tower, a Roman structure, stands on an eminence near an old and strong intrenchment, which is thought to be the Alauna Amnis of Richard of Cirencester, though some place this station at Alnwick, and others at Glanton. " 2

The East Sussex parish so named, is in the union of East Grinstead, hundred of Buttinghill, rape of Lewes. "Crawley is a post-town, consisting of one wide street, in which stands a remarkably fine old elm-tree of immense girth: the houses on the west side of the village are in the parish of Ifield." 2

Early Origins of the Crawley family

The surname Crawley was first found in various counties throughout ancient Britain. So as to proves that point, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Alan de Craule, Oxfordshire; Hugh de Craule, Bedfordshire and Margaret de Craule, Oxfordshire. 3

Early History of the Crawley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crawley research. Another 68 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1518, 1584, 1588, 1598, 1623, 1626, 1632 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Crawley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crawley Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Crawley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Crawley include: Crawley, Crawly, Craley, Crally and others.

Early Notables of the Crawley family

Notables of the family at this time include

Crawley Ranking

In the United States, the name Crawley is the 2,684th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 4 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Crawley is ranked the 751st most popular surname with an estimated 57 people with that name. 5


Crawley migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Crawley or a variant listed above:

Crawley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Crawley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Crawley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Crawley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crawley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Crawley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Crawley migration to Australia +

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

Crawley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Crawley 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:

Crawley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Crawley (post 1700) +
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