Crowe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The name Crowe is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who bore some fancied resemblance to a crow. This may have been based on appearance, but nicknames often described more intangible strong traits or features of animals. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas were common; people attributed human qualities and form to animals, based on the creature's habits. The surname Crowe is derived from the Old English word crowe, which in turn came from the Old English words crawe or crawa, which mean crow.

Early Origins of the Crowe family

The surname Crowe was first found in Norfolk and Suffolk where in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 we found: Ralph Crawe, Norfolk; Geoffrey Crowe, Norfolk; John Crawe, Suffolk; Walrann Crowe, Suffolk; and William Croe, Suffolk. 1

In Somerset, Hugh Crowe was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 2

Again in Norfolk, William Crawe, vicar of Wigenhale, St. Peter's in 1431 and the same source notes Philip Crowe, Norfolk, 1307; and Richard Crowe was buried there in 1717. 3

Further to the north in Scotland, John Crow and Thomas Crow, were of the diocese of Dunblane, on record, 1470 and Magnus Crow, was a follower of Walter Ross of Morange, 1596 may have derived his name from Croy, Inverness-shire. 4

Early History of the Crowe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crowe research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1611, 1616, 1627, 1630, 1632, 1641, 1646, 1668, 1669, 1675, 1683, 1692, 1713, 1717, 1719, 1743, 1781 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Crowe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crowe Spelling Variations

Crowe 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 Crowe have been found, including Crow, Crowe and others.

Early Notables of the Crowe family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Crowe World Ranking

In the United States, the name Crowe is the 1,025th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Crowe is ranked the 493rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,744 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Crowe is the 909th popular surname with an estimated 811 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Crowe as 950th with 7,343 people. 9

Migration of the Crowe family to Ireland

Some of the Crowe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Crowe 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 Crowes to arrive on North American shores:

Crowe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Crowe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Crowe migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crowe Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Crowe Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Crowe migration to Australia +

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

Crowe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Crowe 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:

Crowe Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Crowe migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
Crowe Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Crowe (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Crowe +
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