Cravay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Cravay belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived at Craven, a district in North Yorkshire which traces back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Crave. 1 Craven is thought to come from an old Brythonic word, a precursor of the Welsh word "craf" or "garlic." 2

Early Origins of the Cravay family

The surname Cravay was first found in North Yorkshire (West Riding) at Craven where "the surname has for centuries been very strongly represented. " 3

One of the first records of the name was found here, specifically John de Crauene who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1166. 4 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed the following: Agnes de Craven; Johannes de Crauen; and Roger de Craven. Robert de Craven was rector of Bolton-juxta-Bowland in 1304. 3

Some of the family were also found at Great Washbourn in Gloucestershire. "It comprises 650 acres, the whole, with the exception of about 100 acres, the property of the Craven family." 5

And another branch was found at Winwick in Northamptonshire. "The church is in the early English style, with a tower, and contains some handsome monuments of the Craven family. Some remains of an old mansion in the parish have been converted into a farmhouse." 5

The Irish McRaven variant is actually an Anglicization of the Irish name Mac Crabhain and was found chiefly in Louth-Monaghan. 6

Early History of the Cravay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cravay research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1332, 1585, 1608, 1610, 1618, 1623, 1636, 1664, 1668, 1697, 1702, 1711, 1770 and 1825 are included under the topic Early Cravay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cravay Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Cravay include Craven, Cravene, Cravin, Cravine, Craevin and many more.

Early Notables of the Cravay family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir William Craven (c. 1585-1618), an English merchant, Lord Mayor of London in 1610 (perhaps 1618.) Some people believe that the story of Dick Whittington is based on Craven's career, and he is sometime referred to as "Aptrick's Dick Whittington." William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (1608-1697), was an...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cravay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cravay family to Ireland

Some of the Cravay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cravay family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Cravay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Richard Craven who settled in Virginia in the year 1626; Susan Craven who settled in the same Colony in the year 1655; and Thomas, aged 17; who settled in the year 1655. Many of the name also landed at Philadelphia in the year 1805..

The Cravay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtus in actione consistit
Motto Translation: Virtue consists in action.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)