Cravens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Cravens date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence 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 Cravens family

The surname Cravens 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 Cravens family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cravens 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 Cravens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cravens Spelling Variations

Cravens 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 Cravens have been found, including Craven, Cravene, Cravin, Cravine, Craevin and many more.

Early Notables of the Cravens 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 Cravens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cravens Ranking

In the United States, the name Cravens is the 6,131^st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Cravens family to Ireland

Some of the Cravens 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.

Cravens 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 Cravenss to arrive on North American shores:

Cravens Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William T. Cravens, aged 19, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Maracaibo" from New York 8
Augusta Cravens, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Empress of India" from Southampton via Cherbourg 8
Malcolm Cravens, aged 13, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Empress of India" from Southampton via Cherbourg 8
James R. Cravens, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Empress of India" from Southampton, England 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Cravens (post 1700) +

William Fadjo Cravens (1899-1974), American Democratic Party politician, Served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; Lawyer; U.S. Representative from Arkansas 4th District, 1939-49; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 1940
William Ben Cravens (1872-1939), American Democratic Party politician, Cotton grower; U.S. Representative from Arkansas 4th District, 1907-13, 1933-39; Died in office 1939
R. P. Cravens, American politician, Mayor of Salina, Kansas, 1892-94
R. D. Cravens, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oklahoma, 1956
Oscar Cravens, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1924
Michael Cravens, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Mississippi, 2008
Jordan Edgar Cravens (1830-1914), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Arkansas State House of Representatives, 1860; Colonel in the Confederate Army during the Civil War; Member of Arkansas State Senate, 1866;
Joseph M. Cravens, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1912, 1928 (member, Committee on Permanent Organization), 1932
John E. Cravens, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1860
Jesse L. Cravens, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Carthage, Missouri, 1860-63
... (Another 18 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Cravens 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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result