The
Anglo-Saxon name Croftend comes from when the family resided as
dwellers by a croft or small farm or enclosure. The surname Croftend originally derived from
croeft, an Old English word for a small farm.
Early Origins of the Croftend family
The surname Croftend was first found in
Cumberland 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.
Early History of the Croftend family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Croftend research.
Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1626, 1672, 1657 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Croftend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Croftend Spelling Variations
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,
spelling variations are common among early
Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Croftend has been recorded under many different variations, including Crofton, Croftone, Crofden, Croften and others.
Early Notables of the Croftend family (pre 1700)
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Croftend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Croftend family to Ireland
Some of the Croftend family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 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 Croftend family to the New World and Oceana
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded
England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Croftend or a variant listed above: Phillip Crofton who settled in Philadelphia in 1869; Thomas Crofton settled in Philadelphia in 1850.
The Croftend 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: Dat deus incrementum
Motto Translation: God gives increase.