Show ContentsCracknal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Cracknal family

The surname Cracknal was first found in Stirlingshire, where the name may have been an occupational name for someone who bakes biscuits as "a cracknel is a kind of crisp biscuit." 1

However, another source disagrees with this theory stating the name is from a "dweller at 'Craca's Slope' or Corner from the [Anglo-Saxon Craca, genit. Cracan + heal(h] 2 Craca's Hall [Old English heall] Hardly a nickname from the biscuit so called." 2

And another source claims the name is from Craigneill, a location name in Edinburgh. 3

The name seems to be from northern England too as Elias de Crackenhall was listed in Yorkshire in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1220. A very rare name, the next listing of the family was more than 300 years later in 1524, when Robert Craknell was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire. 4

Crakehall is a township, in the parish and union of Bedale, wapentake of Hang-East, in the North Riding of Yorkshire and Elmer with Crakehill is a township, in the parish of Topcliffe, union of Thirsk, wapentake of Birdforth, also in the North Riding of Yorkshire, 5

Great and Little Crakehall date back to the Domesday Book when they were listed as Crachele 6 and literally meant "nook of land frequented by crows or ravens." 7

Early History of the Cracknal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cracknal research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1462, 1567 and 1571 are included under the topic Early Cracknal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cracknal Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Cracknal has appeared as Cracknell, Craigingelt, Craigneill, Craignall, Craignell, Cracknall and many more.

Early Notables of the Cracknal family

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

Migration of the Cracknal family

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them: William Craknall who arrived in New England in 1670.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  7. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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