Show ContentsCroakarte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Croakarte family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Croakarte is derived from the Gaelic personal name Mac Riociard, which means son of Richard. The Gaelic name is derived from the Germanic words, ric and hard, which mean power, and hardy or brave. Patronyms belong to the category of surnames known as hereditary surnames, and were generally adopted by the son of the bearer of the personal name. In other cases, they were taken from notable religious and secular figures. Members of this family settled in Lanarkshire, Scotland, since before the Norman invasion of 1066.

Early Origins of the Croakarte family

The surname Croakarte was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow.

Some of the first records include: Huwe Croket of Kameslank (Cambuslang) and William Croketa of Kylbride, Lanarkshire who rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. "Andrew Crokat was one of the chaplains of Sir James Douglas of Dalkeith and Morton in 1384 and in 1390 one of his executors. Walter Crokat was tenant of Brwnty, 1457, and Thomas Crokkat tenant of Girnal Mill of Kincreach, 1483. " 1

In England, early records were found in Southamptonshire and Dorset: "William de Cruket, Southamptonshire, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III; Avicia de Cruket, Dorset, Henry III-Edward I: Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I.; and Thomas de Cruket, Dorset, ibid." 2 3

The family of famed David "Davy" Crockett (1786-1836), American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician hailed from Ireland.

Early History of the Croakarte family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croakarte research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1588, 1694, 1715, 1903 and 1929 are included under the topic Early Croakarte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Croakarte Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Croakarte has been written as Crockatt, Crocket, Crockett and others.

Early Notables of the Croakarte family

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

Ireland Migration of the Croakarte family to Ireland

Some of the Croakarte family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 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 Croakarte family

The descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name Croakarte or a variant listed above include: Henry Crocket who settled in Maryland in 1775; James and John Crocket settled in Saint John Island in 1775; John Crocket settled in South Carolina in 1716.



The Croakarte 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: Tak tent
Motto Translation: Take heed.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook