Crann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Crann is most likely derived from Middle English word "cran," meaning "a crane." It may have originally been a nickname for a tall, thin man with long legs. It has also been suggested that the name Crann in England derives from the place name Crannes, in Maine, France.

Early Origins of the Crann family

The surname Crann was first found in various counties, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy. Early records of the name include Osbert Crane in the Pipe Rolls of Cornwall in 1177; Jordan Crane in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1219; William le Crane in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1235; as well as Andreas, John, Oliver, and William de Crane listed in England in circa 1272, in the Rotuli Hundredorum. 1

In Somerset, John le Cran, and Thomas le Cran, were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 2

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes Crane, Alicia uxor ejus; Elisot Grane; Stephanus Crane; and Dionisia Cranne, vidua. 3

In Camborne, Cornwall, another early record was found. "On the bartons of Lower Rosewarne and Crane, where nothing but farm houses now appear, were formerly the seats of two families of these names. But these in the reign of James were sold to Ezekiel Grosse, Esq. after passing through some intermediate hands." 4

Another source confirms the Camborne reference. "From Crane in Camborne; from grean, gravel; or croan, the cross. Hals says, 'Crane adjoining Roswarne gave name to its possessor, Cit-Crane, who gave bustards or cranes for his arms; for as crana, krana, is as grus in Latin, so it is a crane in English, garan and cryhyr in the Welsh.' " 5

Early History of the Crann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Crann research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1243, 1509, 1522, 1530, 1568, 1572, 1588, 1606, 1617, 1621, 1625, 1631, 1636, 1652, 1714 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Crann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crann Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Crane, Craine, Crain, Cran, Crann, Crayne and others.

Early Notables of the Crann family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Nicholas Crane (1522?-1588?), English Presbyterian, of Christ's College, Cambridge, who "was imprisoned in 1568 for performing service in the diocese of London out of the Geneva prayer-book, which he called 'the most sincere order,' and for railing against the usages of the church. After a year's imprisonment he was released by the interposition of Bishop Grindal on making a promise to behave differently. As he did not keep this promise the bishop inhibited him." John Crane (1572-1652), was an English apothecary, a native of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. "He settled at Cambridge, where he became...
Another 216 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Crann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Crann family to Ireland

Some of the Crann family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Crann migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Crann Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Crann, who settled in New Brunswick in 1847
Catherine Crann, who settled in New Brunswick in 1847

Crann 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:

Crann Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Crann, (b. 1799), aged 41, English settler born in Dorset travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 6
Mrs. Sarah Crann, (b. 1802), aged 38, English settler born in Dorset travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 6
Mr. William Crann, (b. 1824), aged 16, English settler born in Dorset travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 6
Mr. George Crann, (b. 1826), aged 14, English settler born in Dorset travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 6
Mr. Henry Crann, (b. 1832), aged 8, English settler born in Dorset travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Timandra" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand on 24th February 1842 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html