Critch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Family Crest Image (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

The history of the Critch family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in the parish of Crick, in the diocese of Peterborough. This place-name is derived from the Old English word creke, which means a creek.

Early Origins of the Critch family

The surname Critch was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Important Dates for the Critch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Critch research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1789 is included under the topic Early Critch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Critch Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Critch include Criche, Crich, Crick, Critch, Creyke, Creik, Criek and many more.

Early Notables of the Critch family (pre 1700)

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

Critch migration to the United States

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Critch or a variant listed above:

Critch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Critch, aged 27, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 ^[1]

Critch Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Annie Critch, aged 18, originally from St. Johns, who arrived in New York in 1905 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland ^[2]
Alice Critch, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland ^[3]
Mathilda Critch, aged 14, originally from Gaskier, who arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland ^[4]
Patrick Critch, aged 24, originally from St. Johns, Newfoundland, who arrived in New York in 1912 aboard the ship "Florizel" from St. John's, Newfoundland ^[5]
Jessie Critch, aged 23, originally from St. Johns, Newfoundland, who arrived in New York, New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland via Halifax ^[6]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Critch migration to Canada

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Critch Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Nathaniel Critch, who was listed in Bay de Verde, Newfoundland in 1794 ^[7]

Critch Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Hanaugh Critch, of Harbour Grace Parish, Newfoundland listed in 1818 ^[7]
William Critch, Newfoundland fisherman listed at Hants Harbour c. 1821 ^[7]
William Critch, Newfoundland planter at Brigus in 1826 ^[7]
James Critch, Newfoundland planter at Deer Harbour in 1842 ^[7]

Contemporary Notables of the name Critch (post 1700)

Michael "Mike" Critch (1922-2015), Newfoundland newsman and reporter, nicknamed "Mr. Crime," said to be able to get any Newfoundland police officer on the phone at any time
Glen Critch, Canadian former professional WHA ice hockey player from Newfoundland
Mark Critch, Canadian comedian from St. John's, Newfoundland, best known for his work on This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Citations

^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JFHS-R5Q : 6 December 2014), Annie Critch, 15 Dec 1905; citing departure port St. John's, Newfoundland, arrival port New York, ship name Rosalind, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JFZP-NTT : 6 December 2014), Alice Critch, 28 Jun 1906; citing departure port St. John's, Newfoundland, arrival port New York, ship name Rosalind, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJX8-CPF : 6 December 2014), Mathilda Critch, 11 Feb 1910; citing departure port St. John's, Newfoundland, arrival port New York, ship name Rosalind, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJP1-KZ4 : 6 December 2014), Patrick Critch, 01 May 1912; citing departure port St. John's, Newfoundland, arrival port New York, ship name Florizel, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6VB-KPY : 6 December 2014), Jessie Critch, 28 Nov 1921; citing departure port St. John's, Newfoundland via Halifax, arrival port New York, New York, ship name Rosalind, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0