Croaket History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Croaket is a very old Scottish name that may even date back to the Dalriadan tribe of Scotland's western coast and Hebrides islands. It comes 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 Croaket family

The surname Croaket 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 Croaket family

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

Croaket Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. Croaket has been spelled Crockatt, Crocket, Crockett and others.

Early Notables of the Croaket family

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

Migration of the Croaket family to Ireland

Some of the Croaket 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 Croaket family

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Croakets to arrive in North America: 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 Croaket 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.

Citations +

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)
Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)